1. The nature of Geography
2 divisions
Physical geography- systematic study of the he origin, distribution, and significance of the major
physical features of the earth such as landforms, climates, the oceans, and the natural resources.
Human or cultural division- which gives emphasis to the study of man’s imprints upon the earth. Such
subject is the distribution of population, various settlement patterns and features caused by human’s
productive activities.
Geographia- earth description
Geography- study of the surface of the earth and its relation to the activities of man.
Herodotus (484-425 B.C.) – “father of History”
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Father of Geography-
Branches of Geography- Geographers organize their study of the earth in several ways. They may also
classify the branches of geography according to whether they deal with the physical or with human
activity.
Regional Geography- Deals with all or many of the geographic elements of place or region.
TopicAL Geography- Concentrates on the study of one earth features or human activity as it occurs
throughout the world.
Physical Geography- is concerned with the location of such earth features as land, water, and climate.
Physical Geography is further subdivided into the following:
1. Geomorphology- is a kind of physical geography that studies land and water forms as well as the
development of irregularities in the surface of the earth.
2. Climatology- analyzes differences and similarities in climate from place to place. It considers
wind movements, cloud formation, temperature changes, and precipitation of all kinds.
3. Mathematical geography- has to do with the accurate measurements of the earth and the
calculation of the exact location of a city in latitude and longitude.
4. Oceanography- is concerned with the study of the ocean and its phenomena, current wave
activity, temperature differences, and tides.
5. Biogeography- is concerned with the study of the geographical distribution of plants, known as
plant geography and as phytogeography, and of animals, known as zoogeography.
6. Medical geography- a relatively new science is concerned with the study of the relationship
between disease-causing organisms and their physical environment.

2. Human Geography(Anthropology)- its primary concern is man and his works so that it is closely
allied with the other social science such as economics, political science, history, sociology,
anthropology.
Different kinds of Human Geography
1. Cultural geography- deals with the study of the distribution of cultural traits such as customs,
traditions, taboos, religions, dialects, customs, and dwellings.
2. Population geography- deals with the study of the numbers and distribution of people. It is
related to demography, the statistical study of population.
3. Political geography- deals with the study of the relationship between political units such as
provinces or states, nations, or unions of nations.
4. Historical geography- is the study of the manner by which geographic patterns of man and his
works change through time; or it may place emphasis only on the complete geography of a small
region at a certain time.
5. Urban geography -is the study of cities with the important roles cities play in the life of a
nation.Urban geography is one of the latest growing kinds of human geography and usually
concerned with the study of site of a city and how it has influenced the type and direction of its
growth.
The Relationship of Geography to other Disciplines
Geography occupies a unique position in the field of knowledge due to the richness of its content. It
integrates and provides the connecting links between and among various disciplines that have
something to do with the earth’s surface. Because of this, Sir Patrick Geddes, an eminent British
planner, aptly called it “the synthesis and mother of all sciences.” Furthermore, Emmanuel Kant, a great
philosopher, called it “the basis of history.”
The fields of human knowledge are generally divided into three.
A. Natural sciences- Geography belongs to the fields of natural sciences because the physical earth
is its central theme. It studies nature- water, landforms, minerals, soil, climate, and flora and
fauna on the surface of the earth. As a natural science, it finds common ground with geology,
biology, astronomy, and oceanography among other things.
B. Social sciences- Geography as a social science deals with the study of man as the architect of the
earth’s surface. It studies man’s political and economic systems, religious and educational
institutions, man’s cultural values, mores and folkways and beliefs.
C. Humanities- Geography is also included in the field of humanities for it studies artistic works,
and is involved with arts like painting, sculpture, literature, music, and dance.

3. Among the social sciences and the humanities, it is linked with history, economics, political science,
anthropology, sociology, and demography. Thus, geography provides the medium for the blending of
the natural and social sciences and humanities.