1. Geography is the study of the Earth and the description of its features, including physical systems, human systems, places and regions, spatial relationships, and the environment. 2. The document discusses how geography helps us understand connections between different places and scales, from local to global, using examples like food production and supply chains. 3. A geography education can help with careers by teaching spatial analysis skills useful for site selection, infrastructure planning, and understanding geopolitical and environmental issues.

1. GEOGRAPHY ... SOME DIRECTIONS
Dr. Chandra Shekhar Balachandran
F o u n d e r / D i r e c t o r
The Indian Institute of Geographical Studies
Bangalore

2. Salutations
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Even if it is a single syllable
That a teacher imparts to the pupil
There is no wealth in this world
With which the pupil may repay that debt
(Late) Sri B. Narasanna, MA, MEd.
1920 – 1987
Social Studies Teacher
National High School
Bangalore
Dr. Surinder Mohan Bhardwaj, PhD
Emeritus Professor of Geography
Kent State University (USA)

3. What is geography?
Standard textbook definition:
 Geo = Earth
 Graphy = description
 Geography = description of Earth
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4. The six elements of geography
1. The world in spatial terms
2. Places and regions
3. Physical systems
4. Human systems
5. Environment and society
6. The uses of geography
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Is this how you are feeling now?
Not for long!

6. Geography helps us …
 To understand connections among things that
are relevant to us …
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7. Connections
 Our stories are pieces of a dynamic puzzle
 Pieces connected
• Within a particular geographical scale
• Across geographical scales
 Connections range from local to global – a
delicious example
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Archduke Franz Ferdinand
(18 December 1863 – 28 June 1914)
Try and make the connections
(history + geography)

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Archduke Franz Ferdinand
(18 December 1863 – 28 June 1914)

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Yajnanarayana Maiya (???? – 1968)

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Rava idly

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Connect
this
with …

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Water
Air / wind
VERANDAH
BANDANA

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16. Yeah, but what about careers?
 Like, Vasco da Gama is slightly dead!
 The Vijayanagara empire is forgotten!
 Sail boats are so, like, OLD-fashioned!
 Humongous freighters now travel without
depending on winds.
 How can geography education help us build a
career? HUH?
• Say us, please!
• Er … tell us, tell us, tell uuuusss!
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17. Let us ask some questions …
 Why is India such an important exporter of
pharmaceuticals?
 How are locations of these determined?
• ATMs
• Mobile signal towers
• Industries
• Service facilities
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18. More questions …
 Understanding why:
• Knowledge of English language = power
• (India in the global context)
 Addressing the naxalite issue
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20. And another thing … or more
 How does Chinese investment in Latin America
and Sub-Saharan Africa affect the rest of us?
 Military and a geography education … this is
very obvious, ja?
 Love Mother Earth? Want to ‘save the
environment’? Start with a good geography
education.
 Want to find a good location for your new
home? Three things: location, location, location!
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“Without place, you are nowhere. Study some geography!”
My guru

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Image: NASA