Über Land und Meer mostly published articles reflecting an inclusive patriotism and a view of German colonialism that was intended to be an apolitical scientific approach. Such a journalistic attitude was also shared by other significant German media outlets of the period, including the Westermanns Monatshefte and Die Gartenlaube. However, during the 1880s and 1890s Über Land und Meer also praised colonialism through racist cartoons and news about Germany's colonial activities. The contributors included Berthold Auerbach, Theodor Fontane, Karl May and Paul Heyse. Über Land und Meer ceased publication in 1923, largely due to the high inflation then prevailing in Germany.
