Geography Basics

Etymology of Geography

• The word "geography" originates from the Greek words "γε" (ge, meaning "earth") and "γραφία" (graphia, meaning "writing" or "description").

Definition of Geography

• Geography seeks to understand the Earth's physical features, human populations, and the ways in which people interact with the environment.

Eratosthenes

• Eratosthenes, a Greek scholar, is credited as the first to use the word γεωγραφία (geographia) to describe the study of the Earth's features.

Core Concepts of Geography

• The core concepts of geography are consistent across all approaches, including: • Location: understanding the physical and human characteristics of a place • Place: examining the physical and human attributes that make a place unique • Human-Environment Interaction: studying how people interact with and affect the environment • Region: defining and characterizing geographic areas based on physical and human features • Movement: analyzing the flow of people, goods, and ideas across the globe

Interdisciplinary Nature of Geography

• Geography is often referred to as a bridge between the natural sciences (e.g., biology, geology) and the social sciences (e.g., sociology, economics).