Sobre el papel de la toponimia en la interpretación del paisaje: Un apunte teórico

The possibilities of understanding toponyms from a geographical perspective, and especially as a tool for landscape analysis are explored in this article. Our departing point is the premise that the toponym, or place-name, is a concept of plural nature that integrates three dimensions: one, linguistic; another, geographical, and the third, historical. On this basis, the fundamental lines of the use of place-names in landscape are raised. In particular, the suitability offered by toponymy as a key element in the process of analysis and interpretation of a landscape is valued: at a general scale, or in relation to some of its elements. Although the article is essentially conceived as a theoretical reflection, we introduce numerous examples of place-names with relevant geographical significance.