Geography Definition & Origins

Geography Definition & Origins

• Geography is the study of the Earth, its landscapes, and environments.
• The word "geography" combines "geo" (Earth) and "graphy" (writing).
• Geography originated as a formal discipline in ancient Greece.
• The Greeks developed foundational concepts and methods for studying geography.
• Eratosthenes is considered the father of ancient geography.
• Carl Ritter is considered the father of modern geography.

Branches of Geography

• Physical Geography: focuses on the natural features of the Earth.

  • Landforms: volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, storms, floods, rivers, oceans, glaciers.
  • Natural Resources: soil, water, air, plants, animals, vegetation.

• Environmental Geography: explores the interactions between humans and the environment.

  • Negative Impacts: pollution, chemicals in the ground and water, waste, global warming.
  • Positive Impacts: conservation, animal welfare, sustainable practices like walking, biking, recycling, reusing, and reducing.

• Human Geography: examines human societies and their relationship with the Earth.

  • Settlements and Buildings: how people build their homes and communities.
  • Transportation: how people move around.
  • Economic Activities: different types of work, farming, and energy production.

Cartography

• Cartography is the science and art of creating maps.
• It involves designing, producing, and studying maps and visual representations of spatial information.

Five Themes of Geography

• Location: refers to the position of a place on Earth.

  • Absolute Location: uses coordinates like latitude and longitude to pinpoint exact positions.
  • Relative Location: describes a place in relation to other locations (e.g., "near" or "close to").

• Place: describes the unique characteristics of a location.

  • Physical Characteristics: landforms, climate, plants, etc.
  • Human Characteristics: buildings, infrastructure, cultural features.

• Human-Environment Interaction: examines how people use and affect the environment, and how the environment in turn influences human activities.

• Movement: considers the flow of people, goods, ideas, and information across the Earth's surface.

• Regions: are areas that share common characteristics, such as climate, language, culture, or economic activities.

Explore the fundamental concepts of geography, its definition, and historical origins. Learn about the branches of geography, including physical and environmental geography, as well as key figures like Eratosthenes and Carl Ritter. This quiz will enhance your understanding of how geography shapes our world.