2. Geography Definition ,Branches and Value
• Simplest definition :
The word Geography is derived from the Greek word geo (the Earth, in its broadest
meaning) and graphos (graphy, to write about). Literally, to write about the Earth.
* Old definition : Photo of Earth .
* A science that deals with the description, distribution, and interaction of the diverse
physical, biological, and cultural features of the earth's surface
* The study of the interrelationships between people, place, and environment, and how
these vary spatially and temporally across and between locations.
* Geography is the study of places and the relationships between people and their
environments in a space ( Area )
* Most individuals define geography as a field of study that deals with maps. (
Geography is nothing but maps )This definition is only partially correct. How many maps
do you have ?
Who is Geographer ?
• A better definition of geography may be the study of natural and human phenomena
relative to a spatial dimension
• Modern Definition : Geography is the science of spatial distribution.
It is clear that the scope of geography includes 2 sides Man & Land
Accordingly geography divide into 2 branches : Physical And Human Geographies
4. Scope of Physical Geography
Physical geography focuses on all aspects of the natural environment,
including land, water, and air, and the plants and animals that inhabit
those domains. Considered an Earth science, physical geography
attempts to explain the physical characteristics of the world’s natural
contents and examine the associated formative and destructive forces.
Below is a list of the major divisions of physical geography.
Geomorphology is the study of the Earth’s surface and how it is shaped.
Hydrology addresses the quantity and quality of the planet’s water as it
exists in the soil, rivers, lakes, and aquifers.
Glaciology is the branch of physical geography that studies glaciers and
ice sheets.
Biogeography focuses on distribution patterns of plant and animal
species and the forces that cause those patterns.
5. Climatology deals with climate, or weather viewed over an extended period.
Meteorology examines weather viewed over a short period, with an emphasis on
forecasting.
Paedology , pedology is the science that deals with the study of soils in their natural
environment.
Paleogeography utilizes geological analysis of the rock strata to determine the
distribution of the continents over time.
Coastal geography is the branch of physical geography that studies interaction
between the ocean and the land.
Oceanography focuses on the planet's oceans and seas.
Quaternary geography limits its scope to the last 2.6 million years, examining the
most recent ice age and describing environments during this period.
New Disciplines related to Geography in General Are :-
Geometics, ( GIS ) and (Remote Sensing ) or geospatial science, deals with the
gathering and management of geographic data.
Environmental geography looks at the spatial details of how humans interface with
nature.
6. Human Geography Branches &
Scope
• Human Geography
• Emphasizing the study of geographic influences on human society, human geography focuses on
people, their cultures, and the interactions they have with their surroundings, including the study
of political, social, and economic factors.
• , human geography includes numerous fields of study, so it helps to take an overview of its
subdivisions, which are listed below.
• Cultural geography focuses on Earth’s cultures, examining norms, location-based variations, and
the relationships between cultures.( Religions , Languages , Food , Festivals, Arts …….
• Development geography deals with the standard of living and the quality of life that the planet’s
people experience.
• Economic geography looks at the relationship between the economies of human civilization and
the natural world.as ( Agriculture , Industry , Mining, Trade , Grazing ,Fishing ,Tourism ,Energy,
Transportation ………………………
• Health geography uses geographical data and methodologies to examine health, disease, and
health care.
• Historical geography studies how humans have changed a place or region over time.
• Political geography focuses on how spatial factors impact political processes.
• Population geography deals with location-related variations in population makeup, size, growth,
migration, and distribution.
• Settlement geography is the study of urban and rural settlement, emphasizing the analysis of
buildings and infrastructure.
• Urban geography deals with dense settlements, including a focus on how cities are positioned in
relation to their natural environment and how they are positioned relative to each other.
•
7. Importance of Geography
Top Reasons to Study Geography
• To understand basic physical systems that affect everyday life (e.g. earth-
sun relationships, water cycles, wind and ocean currents).
• To learn the location of places and the physical and cultural characteristics
of those places in order to function more effectively in our increasingly
interdependent world.
• To understand the geography of past times and how geography has played
important roles in the evolution of people, their ideas, places and
environments.
• To develop a mental map of your community, province or territory,
country and the world so that you can understand the “where” of places
and events.
• To explain how the processes of human and physical systems have
arranged and sometimes changed the surface of the Earth.
8. • To understand the spatial organization of society and see order in what often
appears to be random scattering of people and places.
• To recognize spatial distributions at all scales — local and worldwide — in
order to understand the complex connectivity of people and places.
• To be able to make sensible judgments about matters involving relationships
between the physical environment and society.
• To appreciate Earth as the homeland of humankind and provide insight for
wise management decisions about how the planet’s resources should be
used.
• To understand global interdependence and to become a better global
citizen.
Importance of Geography
