Good surface water quality is one of the most important goals of sustainable water management, along with sufficient quantity. This paper presents an analysis of water quality in the Medija, Trboveljščica and Boben watercourses in Zasavje (central Slovenia), which are not included in regular water quality monitoring. Water quality was assessed on the basis of own field and laboratory analysis of selected physico-chemical parameters. In the period 2020-2021, 9 cyclical samplings were carried out at 16 locations at different times of the year. It was found that the rivers Trboveljščica and Boben are significantly polluted, while the river Medija is in a much better condition. In the headwaters, water pollution is relatively low and mainly due to agricultural activities, which is also reflected in better water quality. In the lower reaches, the Boben and Trboveljščica rivers in particular are subject to significant pollution from industry and households, which are also the main sources of pollution. Kakovost vode izbranih vodotokov v Zasavju Dobra kakovost površinskih voda je poleg njihovega ustreznega količinskega stanja eden ključnih ciljev trajnostnega upravljanja z vodami. V prispevku je predstavljena analiza kakovosti vode na zasavskih vodotokih Medija, Trboveljščica in Boben, ki niso vključeni v redni monitoring spremljanja kakovosti voda. Kakovost vode smo ocenjevali na podlagi lastnih terenskih in laboratorijskih analiz izbranih fizikalnokemijskih parametrov. V obdobju 2020–2021 smo v različnih letnih časih izvedli 9 cikličnih vzorčenj na 16 lokacijah. Izkazalo se je, da sta Trboveljščica in Boben onesnažena, medtem ko je Medija v bistveno boljšem stanju. V povirjih so obremenitve voda razmeroma majhne in večinoma pogojene s kmetijsko dejavnostjo, kar se odraža tudi na njihovem boljšem kakovostnem stanju. V spodnjem toku sta zlasti Boben in Trboveljščica izpostavljena znatnim pritiskom industrije in gospodinjstev, ki so tudi glavni razlogi za onesnaženost.

V letu 2024 praznuje Ameriško združenje geografov (American Geographic Society – AAG) 120. obletnico ustanovitve. Združenje vsako leto prireja zborovanje, ki je priljubljeno med ameriškimi, vedno bolj pa tudi med tujimi, tudi slovenskimi geografi. Namen sestavka je ugotoviti razloge za naraščajočo popularnost ter v 35. letih slovenske prisotnosti opredeliti spremenjena vsebinska težišča zborovanj. Osrednji vir so programi zborovanj oziroma povzetki ter ključne besede predstavitev. Avtorje in vsebine slovenskih prispevkov dokumentirajo zabeležke v COBISS-u. Zborovanja AAG so prvotno potekala v univerzitetnih središčih na vzhodu severnoameriške celine, v tem stoletju jih gostijo predvsem severnoameriške metropole, ki imajo ustrezne konferenčne zmogljivosti. Na zadnjih dveh zborovanjih je bilo predstavljenih več kot pet tisoč vsebin; v primerjavi z letom 1992 se je število referatov povečalo za trikrat. V zadnjih treh desetletjih se je težišče geografskega preučevanja v določeni meri spremenilo. Zmanjšala se je prisotnost naravno- in regionalnogeografskih vsebin, pridobile pa so družbenogeografske vsebine, z urbano geografijo na čelu, ki ji sledijo metode spremljanja geografske zaznave, predvsem GIS. V obravnavanem obdobju so slovenski geografi predstavili 47 vsebin, ki so zajemala politično- in socialnogeografska vprašanja, ruralno-urbana razmerja ter problematiko geografskega izobraževanja. Udeležba slovenskih geografov na zborovanjih AAG je pripomogla k prepoznavnosti slovenske geografije in posledično k skupnim raziskavam, štipendijam in gostovanjem ter ekskurzijam slovenskih geografov v ZDA in tamkajšnjih geografov in študentov v Sloveniji. American geography: annual meetings of the American Association of Geographers and the Slovenian participation The American Geographical Society (AAG) celebrates in 2024 its 120th anniversary. The annual meetings of the AAG are popular among American geographers, recently they’ve become a stage of presenting professional research results by foreign, including Slovenian geographers. The aim of this paper is to identify the reasons for the growing popularity and to define the changed focus of the gatherings in the three decades of Slovenian presence. The article deals with the period of Slovenian independence. The study is based on available conference programs and paper titles or/and key words published. The contents and authors of Slovenian contributions are confirmed by the COBISS Co-operative Online Bibliographic System. In the first few decades of existence, AAG annual meetings were held at universities in the eastern part of North America; in this century AAG annual meetings are mainly hosted in large metropolis with adequate conference capacities. In the last two meetings more than 5000 papers were presented; compared to 1992, the number of papers presented have increased by three times. In the last three decades the focus of geographical research has changed to a certain extent. The presence of physical- and regional-geographical presentations decreased and issues in human geography – with urban geography at the forefront – as well as methods monitoring the geographic perception, especially GIS, have gained ground. During the considered period 47 papers were presented by Slovenian scholars; they dealt with political- and social-geographic issues, rural-urban relations and issues related to geographic education. Based on presentations at AAG meetings, the activities of Slovenian geographers have become known to American geographers and, on this foundation, several institutional partnerships, scholarships, excursions, research projects and guest lectureships by Slovenian geographers in the USA and by American colleagues in Slovenia have taken place.

Terasirana območja so pozornost različnih strokovnjakov vzbudila razmeroma pozno. Prvi njihov vpis na Unescov seznam je bil izveden leta 1979, zanimanje zanje pa se je krepilo na prehodu iz 20. v 21. stoletje, posebej po ustanovitvi Mednarodnega združenja terasiranih pokrajin (International Terraced Landscapes Alliance – ITLA). Eden ključnih problemov je evidentiranje teras. V prispevku primerjamo starejšo metodo, ki temelji na ročnem evidentiranju na podlagi topografskih zemljevidov in ortofoto posnetkov, ter novejšo metodo, temelječo na laserskem skeniranju površja. Ta omogoča vpogled pod rastlinski pokrov in samodejno digitalizacijo kulturnih teras, s čimer dobimo bistveno boljše podatke o terasiranosti območij. Rezultate smo povezali tudi z analizo tipov rabe zemljišč in preučili, pri katerih tipih so razlike med obema metodama največje. Methods for identifying terraced areas on the example of the Vipava Hills Terraced areas have come to the attention of various experts relatively late. First inscribed on the UNESCO list in 1979, interest in terraced landscapes increased at the turn of the 20th century, especially after the establishment of the International Terraced Landscapes Alliance (ITLA). One of the key problems is the recording of terraces. This paper compares the older method, based on manual recording from topographic maps and orthophotos, with the new method based on laser scanning of the surface. This method, however, allows to see under the vegetation cover and to automatically digitise agricultural terraces, thus providing significantly better information on the terracing of the areas. We have also linked the results to an analysis of land-use types and explained which types show the biggest differences between the two methods.

Staranje prebivalstva je eden osrednjih demografskih procesov v Sloveniji in na Hrvaškem, ki ga zaznamuje visoka stopnja staranja. Ta se odraža v praznjenju določenih območij, kjer poleg odseljevanja prihaja tudi do demografskega izumiranja prebivalstva. To je opazno tudi za območja ob slovensko-hrvaški meji. Cilj članka je analizirati splošne in prostorske značilnosti staranja prebivalstva v slovensko-hrvaškem obmejnem prostoru v obdobju 1961–2021 in predstaviti vzroke zanje. Rezultati primerjalne analize so potrdili domnevo, da je ob slovensko-hrvaški meji prebivalstvo starejše od državnega povprečja ter da obstajajo različna območja staranja. To kaže na potrebo po ciljanih strategijah za obvladovanje staranja prebivalstva na teh območjih. Spatial characteristics of population aging in the Slovenian-Croatian border area between the censuses of 1961–2021 Population aging is one of the central demographic processes in both the Republic of Slovenia and the Republic of Croatia, marked by a high rate of aging. This trend is reflected in the depopulation of certain areas, where alongside migration, demographic extinction of the population occurs. This is particularly characteristic of the areas along the Slovenian-Croatian border. The aim of this article is to analyse the general and spatial characteristics of population aging in the Slovenian-Croatian border area during the period from 1961 to 2021 and to identify the underlying causes. The results of the comparative analysis confirmed the hypothesis that the population along the Slovenian-Croatian border is older than the national average and that there are different aging zones. This indicates the need for targeted strategies to manage population aging in these areas.

Prispevek kritično obravnava pojem naravne nesreče ter osvetljuje epistemološko in terminološko problematiko, povezano z njegovim razumevanjem. Naravne nesreče niso zgolj naravni pojavi niti naključne nesreče, saj ima pri njihovem nastanku in posledicah pomembno vlogo družba. Razprava poudarja vpliv jezika na dojemanje stvarnosti, ki oblikuje naša dejanja, in opozarja, da izrazi, kot je naravna nesreča, poenostavljajo razumevanje zapletenih razmerij med naravnimi in družbenimi dejavniki. To vodi k rešitvam, osredotočenim na odpravljanje posledic, namesto na prepoznavanje in odpravljanje temeljnih vzrokov. Avtor zagovarja potrebo po premisleku o terminologiji, ki bi omogočila celovitejšo in odgovornejšo obravnavo naravnih nesreč. Unnatural nondisasters: Epistemology of a geographical phenomenon This article critically examines the concept of natural disaster and sheds light on the epistemological and terminological issues related to its understanding. Natural disasters are not just natural phenomena or random accidents, as society plays an important role in their occurrence and consequences. The discussion highlights the influence of language on our perception of reality, which shapes our actions, and points out that terms such as natural disaster simplify the understanding of the complex relationships between natural and social factors. This leads to solutions that focus on dealing with the consequences rather than recognizing and tackling the root causes. The author argues for rethinking terminology in order to approach natural disasters in a more holistic and responsible way.

Prebivalstvo Slovenije se je v drugem desetletju 21. stoletja številčno povečalo kljub manjšanju števila žensk v rodni dobi in posledično manjšem številu rojstev ter večanju števila umrlih zaradi staranja. Rast je omogočalo priseljevanje iz tujine, ki se je okrepilo leta 2017, ko je popustil učinek finančno-gospodarske krize. Je pa pandemija COVID-19 povzročila padec priseljevanja v letu 2020. Prevladovalo je priseljevanje z območja nekdanje Jugoslavije, predvsem iz Bosne in Hercegovine. Medregionalne selitve so potekale predvsem v korist osrednjeslovenske statistične regije. Zaradi omejitev v času pandemije leta 2020 pa sta veliko priselitev,prav na račun omenjene, zabeležili gorenjska in obalno-kraška regija. Pomurska, koroška in goriška statistična regija so imele ob koncu desetletja manj prebivalcev kot na začetku, na lokalni ravni pa so imele najslabše demografske razmere obrobne in obmejne občine, na splošno stopnjo smrtnosti pa so imeli zelo velik vpliv domovi starejših občanov v občinah z majhnim številom prebivalcev. Factors of population growth in Slovenia 2011–2020 Slovenia’s population grew numerically in the second decade of the 21st century despite a decline in the numberof women of childbearing age and a consequent decrease in birth rates, coupled with an increase in deaths due to aging. This growth was primarily driven by immigration from abroad, which intensified in 2017 as the effects of the financial-economic crisis subsided. However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a drop in immigration in 2020. Immigration was predominantly from the former Yugoslavia, particularly Bosnia and Herzegovina. Interregional migrations favoured the Osrednjeslovenska statistical region. Due to pandemic restrictions in 2020, the Gorenjska and Obalno-kraška statistical regions also recorded a substantial influx of immigrants. By the end of the decade, Pomurska, Koroška, and Goriška statistical regions had fewer inhabitants than at the beginning. At the local level, border and peripheral municipalities had the worst demographic conditions. Nursing homes in municipalities with small populations had a significant impact on the overall mortality rate.

V prispevku je predstavljeno ime Ljubelj in spreminjanje denotatov imena vse do sodobnosti, ko je ime v rabi oziroma v besedilih postalo funkcijsko neučinkovito. Upoštevajoč pobudo Občine Tržič, je Komisija za standardizacijo zemljepisnih imen Vlade Republike Slovenije spodbudila pripravo strokovnega mnenja, ki je v tem prispevku predstavljeno tudi z jezikoslovne perspektive, tj. onimizacije (poimenovanja) in transonimizacije (prenosa imena na drugo entiteto). Renaming the mountain pass Ljubelj to Stari Ljubelj (Old Ljubelj) This article presents the Slovenian geographical name Ljubelj and how its denotations have changed over time, up to the present day, when the name has acquired multiple denotations in spoken and written use, and is thus functionally overloaded. The Commission for the Standardization of Geographical Names of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, taking into account an initiative from the Municipality of Tržič, encouraged the preparation of an expert opinion, which is also presented in this article from a linguistic point of view – that is, from the perspective of ononymization (naming) and transonymization (the transfer of a name to another entity).

Zavarovana območja nudijo svojevrstne priložnosti za ohranjanje naravne in kulturne dediščine. Zaradi svojega režima ohranjanja bi lahko postali prostori inovacij. V Sloveniji je bil z namenom spodbujanja teritorialnega razvoja izveden pristop znamčenja območja v Krajinskem parku Goričko. Prispevek analizira razvoj tega procesa kot študijo primera. Rezultati kažejo, da je pri tem pomembno vzpostavljanje sodelovanja in mreženja med ponudniki na območju ter ozaveščanje o strateških prednostih njihove lokacije. Ovrednotenje izvajanja znamčenja v parku kaže na pozitivne učinke: krepitev sodelovanja med ponudniki, razvoj skupne identitete ter izboljšanje možnosti promocije in prodaje, vendar pa opozarja na izzive povezane s prostorsko neenakostjo ter omejitve financiranja in organizacije. Branding as a development stimulus for protected areas: The case of the collective trademark of Goričko Nature Park Nature parks represent special areas for preservation of natural and cultural heritage. Due to their conservation regime, they could become spaces of innovation. In Slovenia, with aim of promoting territorial development, approach of branding area was implemented in Goričko Nature Park. This contribution analyzes the development of branding process as a case study. Results show that it is important to establish cooperation and networking among providers in the area and to raise awareness of the strategic advantages of their location. The evaluation of implementation of branding in the park shows positive effects: strengthening cooperation among providers, developing a common identity, and improving promotion and sales opportunities, but it also highlights challenges related to spatial inequality and limitations of funding and organization.

The geographical aspects of sport are rarely addressed, even though sport is an important element of the landscape and society. The aim of this research was to analyze the spatial distribution of competitive sport in Slovenia. This was done by analyzing registered athletes by statistical regions and municipalities, which involved the use of GIS and quantitative methods. We found that Slovenia is a relatively diverse country from a sporting-spatial perspective. Among statistical regions, Upper Carniola in the northwest has the highest number of registered athletes in relation to the population (3.7%), while Southeast Slovenia has the lowest (2.1%). Less than a third of sports federations show a clustered distribution of registered athletes, while municipalities with a higher degree of centrality of their center have more registered athletes per capita and a higher diversity of sectoral sports associations. The study contributes to the knowledge of the socio-cultural diversity of the country and raises a number of questions about the determinants of the distribution of sports disciplines. Temeljne geografske značilnosti tekmovalnega športa v Sloveniji Geografski vidiki športa so redko obravnavani, čeprav je šport pomembna prvina pokrajine in ima velik družbeni pomen. Namen raziskave je bil analizirati prostorsko razporeditev tekmovalnega športa v Sloveniji. To smo storili z analizo registriranih športnikov po statističnih regijah in občinah, ki je vključevala uporabo GIS-ov in kvantitativne metode. Ugotovili smo, da je Slovenija s prostorsko-športnega vidika razmeroma raznolika država. Med statističnimi regijami ima največ registriranih športnikov glede na število prebivalcev gorenjska (3,7 %), najmanj pa jugovzhodna Slovenija (2,1 %). Slaba tretjina športnih zvez kaže gručasto razporeditev registriranih športnikov, občine z višjo stopnjo centralnosti svojega središča pa imajo več registriranih športnikov na prebivalca in večjo raznolikost športnih zvez. Raziskava prispeva k poznavanju družbeno-kulturne raznolikosti države in odpira številna vprašanja o dejavnikih razporeditve športnih panog.

Geografija v Združenih državah Amerike ima dolgo tradicijo stanovskega združevanja, vsebinsko pestrega delovanja ter preučevanja naravnih in družbenih pojavov. Sredi in v drugi polovici 19. stoletja so ustanovili stanovski združenji American Geographic Society (AGS; Ameriško geografsko društvo) in The National Geographic Society (NGS; Nacionalna geografska zveza). Na začetku 20. stoletja pa je nastal Association of American Geographers (Združenje ameriških geografov), v 21. stoletju preimenovan v American Association of Geographers (AAG; Ameriško združenje geografov). Po komercialni uspešnosti izstopa NGS s 135 letno tradicijo izhajanja poljudne geografske revije The National Geographic Magazine ter lastništvom televizijske mreže in drugimi gospodarsko uspešnimi podjetji. Po vplivu na družbenopolitično odločanje pa ima večje izkušnje AGS, saj so njegovi člani odločilno vplivali na oblikovanje meja v Evropi po prvi svetovni vojni. AAG v letu 2024 praznuje 120 let obstoja, skupaj z njim pa tudi zborovanja ameriških geografov (Annual Meetings of the AAG). Popularnost zborovanja dokazuje več kot 10.000 udeležencev in prek 5000 predstavitev. Slovenski geografi so na teh zborovanjih od leta 2004 predstavili 47 prispevkov. American geography: professional associations (on the 120th anniversary of the American Association of Geographers, 1904–2024) Geography in the United States of America has a long tradition of social associations, diverse activities, and research of natural and social phenomena. In the middle and second half of the 19th century, the following professional societies were founded: The American Geographic Society (AGS) and The National Geographic Society (NGS). At the dawn of the 20th century, the Association of American Geographers was formed, and was renamed 112 years later into the American Association of Geographers (AAG). In terms of commercial success, NGS stands out with its 135-year of tradition and of publishing the popular geographic magazine The National Geographic Magazine, as well its ownership of a commercial network and other financially successful companies. In terms of influencing the socio-political decision-making,the AGS has a better experience, as their members had a decisive influence on the formation of borders in Europe after the First World War. In 2024, AAG is celebrating 120 years of existence, and with it also the Annual Meetings of the AAG. The popularity of the gathering is demonstrated by more than 10,000 participants and by over 5,000 presentations. Since 2004, Slovenian geographers had 47 presentations at the AAG meetings.