Chapter 1: Introduction to Geography PDF

# Chapter One: Introduction to Geography ## Introduction Earth is our home, where all human beings and other living things live. While living on the planet Earth, we have to study and understand our environment. We must seek to understand how geographical phenomena happen, where they are found, wh...

# Chapter One: Introduction to Geography ## Introduction Earth is our home, where all human beings and other living things live. While living on the planet Earth, we have to study and understand our environment. We must seek to understand how geographical phenomena happen, where they are found, why they are there, and how they develop and change over time and space. To understand all these things, you need to study Geography. In this regard, this chapter introduces you to the concept of Geography, branches of Geography, and the importance of studying Geography. Also, you will learn about the relationship between Geography and other disciplines. The competencies developed will enable you to appreciate the importance of Geography, and apply the knowledge to other disciplines. This will enable you to solve problems associated with natural and man-made processes and activities. ## Think Man's survival in the environment ## Concept of Geography ### Activity 1.1 Search for information from the library and other reliable online sources on the meanings of Geography. Make short notes, then develop your own definition of Geography. The word 'geography' comes from two Greek words *geo* which means the Earth and *graphein* or *grapho* which means to draw, describe or write. The two words are joined to form one word “*geographia*”, which means “writing about the Earth.” Therefore, Geography is the science that describes the Earth. The term 'geography' was first used in 240 B.C by a Greek philosopher Eratosthenes who is regarded as "the father of geography". He published a book about the Earth and named it Geography. According to Eratosthenes, geography is defined as writing about the planet Earth. The book contributed a lot to the understanding of the Earth and the universe. Based on that origin, Geography has been understood as the study of man and his surroundings. It is concerned with the study of the size, shape, and movements of the Earth in relation to other heavenly bodies. Also, Geography deals with landmasses, water bodies, climate, vegetation, human activities, and events in different places of the world. Geography focuses on the description of the Earth and its features, and the distribution of life on it. This includes human life and the effects of human activities on the Earth. Therefore, Geography is the scientific study of physical characteristics of the Earth and their influence of human life and activities. ### Activity 1.2 Search for information about physical features including simulations, videos, or animations from other reliable sources, and note down any features observed. ## Branches of Geography Every day, man explores different things, including the earth's landscapes, climate, people, and places as he or she navigates through wide and varied aspects of geography. The exploration allows man to know different regions, countries, continents, and the amazing physical and man-made features. Geography opens up a world of endless exploration from understanding the wonders of nature like mountains, rivers, and forests. Furthermore, Geography renders the exploration of economic activities, population and man-made creations such as cities. Therefore, this exploration enables man to make a clear distinction between the physical aspects and human aspects. ### Activity 1.3 (a) Visit a nearby area of your school or home environment and observe different physical, social, economic and cultural features. (b) Create a table to classify whether the features observed fall into physical geography or human geography. Geography has two major branches, namely physical geography and human geography. * **Physical geography** is involved with the study of natural features of the Earth. It focuses on the structure of the earth, atmospheric processes, and the formation and distribution of landforms such as mountains, valleys, and plateaus. It also studies the distribution of plants and animals (flora and fauna) on the earth's surface. * **Human geography** is concerned with the study of man-made features found on the earth's surface. It also deals with the interaction between human beings and the environment. Furthermore, it studies human population aspects such as population structure, distribution, growth, settlement, and human activities. The two major branches of geography need geographical skills and techniques that are covered under the technique known as **practical geography**. Practical geography deals with geographical techniques, which support scientific approaches to collecting, recording, storing, analysing and interpreting geographical data. It is potential in understanding physical and human geography through the study of cartography, photography, Geographical Information System (GIS), research, survey, remote sensing, and statistics. Practical geography also helps learners acquire skills that enhance their curiosity and ability to understood both physical and human geography (Figure 1.1). | **Physical** | **Interaction** | **Human** | |---|---|---| | - Focuses on Earth's natural environment | - Between people and the environment | - Studies the distribution and characteristics of the world's people. | | - Landforms | | - Examine how people interact with their environment | | - Water features | | - Studies things people produce and the things they need to survive | | - Plants | | - Studies where people live and work | | - Animals | | | | - Studies the processes that shape the physical environment | | | **Figure 1.1: Branches of Geography** ### Activity 1.4 Search for information from the library and other reliable online sources on the main branches of Geography, namely physical geography and human geography. Then, write a short essay on what each branch is concerned with. ## Importance of studying Geography ### Activity 1.5 Read from different reliable online sources, about the importance of studying Geography to human life. Write a summary on the importance of Geography to human life. The study of Geography is important because it increases awareness of our country as our national heritage, including its boundaries and resources. It helps to develop the basic skills of observation, measurement, recording, storing, analysing, and interpreting geographical phenomena. These skills help to generate scientific knowledge that enables us to predict outcomes of different processes and activities for appropriate decision making. Geography also helps us understand our culture and how it differs from other cultures. This can help us be more tolerant and cope with others nationally and internationally. Also, by studying the geography of other countries and their human interactions, it can help us gain knowledge and skills for improving ways of utilising our resources for our development. Moreover, Geography equips man with skills for environmental conservation and management. These skills are for appropriate use of environmental resources and methods for managing associated problems for the wellbeing of the present and future generations. Geography gives us practical skills and knowledge, which are relevant in various fields, like map-making (cartography), teaching and researching, surveying, land use planning, natural resources management, conducting environmental and social impact assessment, aviation, navigation, surface transport, and tourism. Furthermore, Geography helps to realise how natural resources are distributed over the country. For instance, by studying maps of natural gas reserves in Tanzania will help us understand how much gas we have, how long it will last, and decide on investing on alternative energy sources. Geography helps to realise why some areas are highly populated while others are sparsely populated, and why some economic activities are mostly found in certain areas than in others. ### Activity 1.6 Prepare a morning speech to be presented before your fellow students regarding the problems that may arise if one lacks geographical knowledge and skills. ## Exercise 1.2 1. Explain how Geographical knowledge helps us protect the environment in our local community. 2. How does geographical knowledge help us in travelling and tourism? 3. In what ways can geography help us make appropriate decisions about land use and development? 4. Explain how human geography helps in undertaking different social and economic activities in Tanzania. 5. Explain the activities you do in your daily life that uses the geographical knowledge you have learnt in school. ## The relationship between Geography and other disciplines Geography as a subject is related to other disciplines. Geography as an integrative discipline relates to serves several other disciplines. Such disciplines include Mathematics, Geology, Biology, Astronomy, Physics, Chemistry, Political science, Economics, and Agriculture. For instance, Astronomers who study about heavenly bodies like stars, planets, comets, galaxies, and the moon use geographical knowledge and skills to undertake their explorations. When studying about soil science and geology, Geography gives a basis for understanding and analysing the type, structure, and compositions of soils and rocks. Moreover, while studying about forces of gravity in Physics, scientists use geographical knowledge to explain these forces. Sometimes as an interdisciplinary field, Geography provides a base for understanding other concepts in social sciences. For example, when studying human culture, Geography provides a basis for understanding spatial distribution and how people interact with the environment. Geography is also related to political science, especially when describing political boundaries, regions, population size and distribution of resources in different locations. Figure 1.2 illustrates the relationship between Geography and other disciplines. Geography is comprised of many overlapping disciplines, including: * **Physical Geography** * Geodesy * Geology * Geomorphology * Climatology * Meteorology * Biogeography * **Human Geography** * Historical Geography * Political Geography * Population Geography * Economic Geography * Behavioral Geography * Social Geography * Demography * **Methods in Geography** * Statistics * Geographic Quantification * Geographic Techniques * Cartography * Remote Sensing * Computer Science * Information Systems * Engineering * Pedology (Geography of Soils) * Biology **Figure 1.2: Relationship between Geography and other disciplines** ### Activity 1.7 Visit a nearby area and observe different activities carried out. Make a list of activities, then: (i) Explain how such activities relate with geography. (ii) Indicate under which disciplines such activities fall. ## Exercise 1.3 Answer the following questions. 1. Hekima is a Form One student interested to be a pilot. His teacher encourages him to study hard and ensure he performs well in Geography, Physics, Mathematics and language subjects. Hekima's friends also advise him that, besides being a pilot, he can also become a cartographer, surveyor, environmental expert, geologist, astronaut, astronomer, or meteorologist. Write an essay to explain Hekima's interest in becoming a pilot in relation to the Geography subject. 2. Give reasons why the following career paths require specific geographical knowledge? * Weather forecasting * Map making and interpretation * Planning and organisation of cities * Aviation * Photographer ## Revision exercise 1 1. Study the pictures (a) to (f) and explain how they relate to the use of geographical knowledge. * A hiker standing on a mountain * Two men surveying some land * A woman drawing a map * A group of people planting trees * A pilot flying a plane * A scuba diver in the ocean 2. Read the following statements carefully, then group them into branches of Geography: * Studying the behavior of stars in the sky. * Analysis of population structure and migration. * Studying about manufacturing industry in Tanzania. * Understanding physical features and their change in time and space. 3. Mention two geographical techniques that help geographers to conduct their practical work. 4. Explain how geographical knowledge influences people's settlements.