Geography as a Discipline PDF 2022-2023

UNIT I GEOGRAPHY AS A DISCIPLINE This unit deals with Geography as an integrating discipline; as a science of spatial attributes Branches of geography; importance of physical geography 2022...

UNIT I GEOGRAPHY AS A DISCIPLINE This unit deals with Geography as an integrating discipline; as a science of spatial attributes Branches of geography; importance of physical geography 2022-23 CHAPTER GEOGRAPHY AS A DISCIPLINE Y ou have studied geography as one of the of the earth’s surface. The understanding and components of your Social Science course the skills obtained in modern scientific upto the secondary stage. You are techniques such as GIS and computer already aware of some of the phenomena of cartography equip you to meaningfully geographical nature in the world and its contribute to the national endeavour for different parts. Now, you will study ‘Geography’ development. as an independent subject and learn about the Now the next question which you may like physical environment of the earth, human to ask is — What is geography? You know that activities and their interactive relationships. earth is our home. It is also the home of many Therefore, a pertinent question you can ask at other creatures, big and small, which live on this stage is — Why should we study the earth and sustain. The earth’s surface is geography? We live on the surface of the earth. not uniform. It has variations in its physical Our lives are affected by our surroundings in features. There are mountains, hills, valleys, many ways. We depend on the resources to plains, plateaus, oceans, lakes, deserts and sustain ourselves in the surrounding areas. wilderness. There are variations in its social Primitive societies subsisted on ‘natural means and cultural features too. There are villages, of subsistence’, i.e. edible plants and animals. cities, roads, railways, ports, markets and With the passage of time, we developed many other elements created by human beings technologies and started producing our food across the entire period of their cultural using natural resources such as land, soil and development. water. We adjusted our food habits and This variation provides a clue to the clothing according to the prevailing weather understanding of the relationship between the conditions. There are variations in the natural physical environment and social/cultural resource base, technological development, features. The physical environment has adaptation with and modification of physical provided the stage, on which human societies environment, social organisations and cultural enacted the drama of their creative skills with development. As a student of geography, you the tools and techniques which they invented should be curious to know about all the and evolved in the process of their cultural phenomena which vary over space. You learn development. Now, you should be able to about the diverse lands and people. You attempt the answer of the question posed should also be interested in understanding the earlier as to “What is geography”? In very changes which have taken place over time. simple words, it can be said that geography Geography equips you to appreciate diversity is the description of the earth. The term and investigate into the causes responsible for geography was first coined by Eratosthenese, creating such variations over time and space. a Greek scholar (276-194 BC.). The word has You will develop skills to understand the globe been derived from two roots from Greek converted into maps and have a visual sense language geo (earth) and graphos (description). 2022-23 GEOGRAPHY AS A DISCIPLINE 3 Put together, they mean description of the earth. changing earth and untiring and ever-active The earth has always been seen as the abode human beings. Primitive human societies were of human beings and thus, scholars defined directly dependent on their immediate geography as, “the description of the earth as environment. Geography, thus, is concerned the abode of human beings”. You are aware of with the study of Nature and Human the fact that reality is always multifaceted and interactions as an integrated whole. ‘Human’ the ‘earth’ is also multi-dimensional, that is is an integral part of ‘nature’ and ‘nature’ has why many disciplines from natural sciences the imprints of ‘human’. ‘Nature’ has influenced such as geology, pedology, oceanography, different aspects of human life. Its imprints can botany, zoology and meteorology and a be noticed on food, clothing, shelter and number of sister disciplines in social sciences occupation. Human beings have come to terms such as economics, history, sociology, political with nature through adaptation and science, anthropology, etc. study different modification. As you already know, the present aspects of the earth’s surface. Geography is society has passed the stage of primitive different from other sciences in its subject societies, which were directly dependent on matter and methodology but at the same time, their immediate physical environment for it is closely related to other disciplines. sustenance. Present societies have modified Geography derives its data base from all the their natural environment by inventing and natural and social sciences and attempts their using technology and thus, have expanded the synthesis. horizon of their operation by appropriating and We have noted that there exist variations utilising the resources provided by nature. With over the surface of the earth in its physical as the gradual development of technology, human well as cultural environment. A number of beings were able to loosen the shackles of their phenomena are similar and many are dissimilar. physical environment. Technology helped in It was, therefore, logical to perceive geography reducing the harshness of labour, increased as the study of areal differentiation. Thus, labour efficiency and provided leisure to geography was perceived to study all those human beings to attend to the higher needs of phenomena which vary over space. life. It also increased the scale of production Geographers do not study only the variations and the mobility of labour. in the phenomena over the earth’s surface The interaction between the physical (space) but also study the associations with environment and human beings has been very the other factors which cause these variations. succinctly described by a poet in the following For example, cropping patterns differ from dialogue between ‘human’ and ‘nature’ (God). region to region but this variation in cropping You created the soil, I created the cup, you pattern, as a phenomenon, is related to created night, I created the lamp. You created variations in soils, climates, demands in the wilderness, hilly terrains and deserts; I market, capacity of the farmer to invest and created flower beds and gardens. Human technological inputs available to her/him. beings have claimed their contribution using Thus, the concern of geography is to find out natural resources. With the help of technology, the causal relationship between any two human beings moved from the stage of phenomena or between more than one necessity to a stage of freedom. They have put phenomenon. their imprints everywhere and created new A geographer explains the phenomena in possibilities in collaboration with nature. Thus, a frame of cause and effect relationship, as it we now find humanised nature and does not only help in interpretation but also naturalised human beings and geography foresees the phenomena in future. studies this interactive relationship. The space The geographical phenomena, both the got organised with the help of the means of physical and human, are not static but highly transportation and communication network. dynamic. They change over time as a result of The links (routes) and nodes (settlements of all the interactive processes between ever types and hierarchies) integrated the space and 2022-23 4 FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY gradually, it got organised. As a social science The present world is being perceived as a global discipline, geography studies the ‘spatial village. The distances have been reduced by organisation’ and ‘spatial integration’. better means of transportation increasing Geography as a discipline is concerned with accessibility. The audio-visual media and three sets of questions: information technology have enriched the data (i) Some questions are related to the base. Technology has provided better chances identification of the patterns of natural of monitoring natural phenomena as well as and cultural features as found over the the economic and social parameters. surface of the earth. These are the Geography as an integrating discipline has questions about what? interface with numerous natural and social (ii) Some questions are related to the sciences. All the sciences, whether natural or distribution of the natural and human/ social, have one basic objective, of cultural features over the surface of the understanding the reality. Geography earth. These are the questions about attempts to comprehend the associations of where? phenomena as related in sections of reality. Taken together, both these questions take Figure 1.1 shows the relationship of geography care of distributional and locational aspects of with other sciences. Every discipline, concerned the natural and cultural features. These with scientific knowledge is linked with questions provided inventorised information of geography as many of their elements vary over what features and where located. It was a very space. Geography helps in understanding the popular approach during the colonial period. reality in totality in its spatial perspective. These two questions did not make geography Geography, thus, not only takes note of the a scientific discipline till the third question was differences in the phenomena from place to added. place but integrates them holistically which (iii) The third question is related to the may be different at other places. A geographer explanation or the causal relationships is required to have a broad understanding of between features and the processes and all the related fields, to be able to logically phenomena. This aspect of geography integrate them. This integration can be is related to the question, why? understood with some examples. Geography Geography as a discipline is related to influences historical events. Spatial distance space and takes note of spatial characteristics itself has been a very potent factor to alter the and attributes. It studies the patterns of course of history of the world. Spatial depth distribution, location and concentration of provided defence to many countries, phenomena over space and interprets them particularly in the last century. In traditional providing explanations for these patterns. It warfare, countries with large size in area, gain takes note of the associations and inter - time at the cost of space. The defence provided relationships between the phenomena over by oceanic expanse around the countries of space and interprets them providing the new world has protected them from wars explanations for these patterns. It also takes being imposed on their soil. If we look at the note of the associations and inter-relationships historical events world over, each one of them between the phenomena resulting from the can be interpreted geographically. dynamic interaction between human beings In India, Himalayas have acted as great and their physical environment. barriers and provided protection but the passes provided routes to the migrants and GEOGRAPHY AS AN INTEGRATING DISCIPLINE invaders from Central Asia. The sea coast has Geography is a discipline of synthesis. It encouraged contact with people from East and attempts spatial synthesis, and history Southeast Asia, Europe and Africa. Navigation attempts temporal synthesis. Its approach is technology helped European countries to holistic in nature. It recognises the fact that colonise a number of countries of Asia and the world is a system of interdependencies. Africa, including India as they got accessibility 2022-23 GEOGRAPHY AS A DISCIPLINE 5 through oceans. The geographical factors have econometrics. Maps are prepared through modified the course of history in different parts artistic imagination. Making sketches, mental of the world. maps and cartographic work require Every geographical phenomenon undergoes proficiency in arts. change through time and can be explained temporally. The changes in landforms, climate, Geography and Social Sciences vegetation, economic activities occupations and cultural developments have followed a definite Each social science sketched in Figure 1.1 has historical course. Many geographical features interface with one branch of geography. The result from the decision making process by relationships between geography and history different institutions at a particular point of have already been outlined in detail. Every time. It is possible to convert time in terms of discipline has a philosophy which is the raison space and space in terms of time. For example, d’etre for that discipline. Philosophy provides it can be said that place A is 1,500 km from roots to a discipline and in the process of its place B or alternately, it can also be said that evolution, it also experiences distinct historical place A is two hours away (if one travels by processes. Thus, the history of geographical plane) or seventeen hours away (if one travels thought as mother branch of geography is by a fast moving train). It is for this reason, included universally in its curricula. All the time is an integral part of geographical studies social science disciplines, viz. sociology, as the fourth dimension. Please mention other political science, economics and demography three dimensions? study different aspects of social reality. The Figure1.1 amply depicts the linkages of branches of geography, viz. social, political, geography with different natural and social economic and population and settlements are sciences. This linkage can be put under two closely linked with these disciplines as each segments. one of them has spatial attributes. The core concern of political science is territory, people Physical Geography and Natural Sciences and sovereignty while political geography is All the branches of physical geography, as also interested in the study of the state as a shown in Figure 1.1, have interface with natural spatial unit as well as people and their political sciences. The traditional physical geography behaviour. Economics deals with basic is linked with geology, meteorology, hydrology attributes of the economy such as production, and pedology, and thus, geomorphology, distribution, exchange and consumption. Each climatology, oceanography and soil geography of these attributes also has spatial aspects and respectively have very close link with the here comes the role of economic geography to natural sciences as these derive their data from study the spatial aspects of production, these sciences. Bio-Geography is closely related distribution, exchange and consumption. to botany, zoology as well as ecology as human Likewise, population geography is closely beings are located in different locational niche. linked with the discipline of demography. A geographer should have some proficiency The above discussion shows that in mathematics and art, particularly in drawing geography has strong interface with natural maps. Geography is very much linked with the and social sciences. It follows its own study of astronomical locations and deals with latitudes and longitudes. The shape of the earth methodology of study which makes it distinct is Geoid but the basic tool of a geographer is a from others. It has osmotic relationship with map which is two dimensional representation other disciplines. While all the disciplines have of the earth. The problem of converting geoids their own individual scope, this individuality into two dimensions can be tackled by does not obstruct the flow of information as in projections constructed graphically or case of all cells in the body that have individual mathematically. The cartographic and identity separated by membranes but the flow quantitative techniques require sufficient of blood is not obstructed. Geographers use proficiency in mathematics, statistics and data obtained from sister disciplines and 2022-23  6 FIELD OF GEOGRAPHY FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY Figure 1.1 : Geography and its relation with other disciplines 2022-23 GEOGRAPHY AS A DISCIPLINE 7 attempt synthesis over space. Maps are very BRANCHES OF GEOGRAPHY (BASED ON effective tools of geographers in which the SYSTEMATIC APPROACH) tabular data is converted into visual form to bring out the spatial pattern. 1. Physical Geography BRANCHES OF GEOGRAPHY (i) Geomorphology is devoted to the study of landforms, their evolution and related Please study Figure 1.1 for recapitulation. It has processes. very clearly brought out that geography is an (ii) Climatology encompasses the study of interdisciplinary subject of study. The study of structure of atmosphere and elements every subject is done according to some of weather and climates and climatic approach. The major approaches to study types and regions. geography have been (i) Systematic and (iii) Hydrology studies the realm of water (ii) Regional. The systematic geography approach over the surface of the earth including is the same as that of general geography. This oceans, lakes, rivers and other water approach was introduced by Alexander Von bodies and its effect on different life Humboldt, a German geographer (1769-1859) forms including human life and their while regional geography approach was activities. developed by another German geographer and a (iv) Soil Geography is devoted to study the contemporary of Humboldt, Karl Ritter processes of soil formation, soil types, (1779-1859). their fertility status, distribution and In systematic approach (Figure 1.2), a use. phenomenon is studied world over as a whole, 2. Human Geography and then the identification of typologies or spatial patterns is done. For example, if one is (i) Social/Cultural Geography encom- interested in studying natural vegetation, the passes the study of society and its study will be done at the world level as a first spatial dynamics as well as the cultural step. The typologies such as equatorial rain elements contributed by the society. forests or softwood conical forests or monsoon (ii) Population and Settlement Geography forests, etc. will be identified, discussed and (Rural and Urban). It studies population delimited. In the regional approach, the world growth, distribution, density, sex ratio, is divided into regions at different hierarchical migration and occupational structure levels and then all the geographical phenomena etc. Settlement geography studies the in a particular region are studied. These characteristics of rural and urban regions may be natural, political or designated settlements. (iii) Economic Geography studies economic region. The phenomena in a region are studied activities of the people including in a holistic manner searching for unity in agriculture, industry, tourism, trade, diversity. and transport, infrastructure and Dualism is one of the main characteristics services, etc. of geography which got introduced from the (iv) Historical Geography studies the very beginning. This dualism depended on the historical processes through which the aspect emphasised in the study. Earlier scholars space gets organised. Every region has laid emphasis on physical geography. But undergone some historical experiences human beings are an integral part of the earth’s before attaining the present day status. surface. They are part and parcel of nature. They The geographical features also also have contributed through their cultural experience temporal changes and these development. Thus developed human form the concerns of historical geography with emphasis on human activities. geography. 2022-23 8 FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY Figure 1.2 : Branches of geography based on systematic approach (v) Political Geography looks at the space 3. Biogeography from the angle of political events and The interface between physical geography studies boundaries, space relations and human geography has lead to the between neighbouring political units, development of Biogeography which delimitation of constituencies, election includes: scenario and develops theoretical (i) Plant Geography which studies the framework to understand the political spatial pattern of natural vegetation in behaviour of the population. their habitats. 2022-23 GEOGRAPHY AS A DISCIPLINE 9 (ii) Zoo Geography which studies the (c) Field Survey Methods spatial patterns and geographic (d) Geo-informatics comprising characteristics of animals and their techniques such as Remote habitats. Sensing, GIS, GPS, etc. (iii) Ecology /Ecosystem deals with the The above classification gives a scientific study of the habitats comprehensive format of the branches of characteristic of species. geography. Generally geography curricula is (iv) Environmental Geography concerns taught and learnt in this format but this world over leading to the realisation of format is not static. Any discipline is bound environmental problems such as land gradation, pollution and concerns for to grow with new ideas, problems, methods conservation has resulted in the and techniques. For example, what was once introduction of this new branch in manual cartography has now been geography. transformed into computer cartography. Technology has enabled scholars to handle BRANCHES OF GEOGRAPHY BASED ON REGIONAL large quantum of data. The internet provides APPROACH (FIGURE1.3) extensive information. Thus, the capacity to 1. Regional Studies/Area Studies attempt analysis has increased tremendously. Comprising Macro, Meso and Micro GIS has further opened vistas of knowledge. Regional Studies GPS has become a handy tool to find out exact 2. Regional Planning locations. Technologies have enhanced the Comprising Country/Rural and Town/ capacity of attempting synthesis with sound Urban Planning theoretical understanding. 3. Regional Development You will learn some preliminary aspects of 4. Regional Analysis these techniques in your book, Practical work There are two aspects which are common in Geography – Part I (NCERT, 2006). You will to every discipline, these are: continue to improve upon your skills and (i) Philosophy learn about their application. (a) Geographical Thought (b) Land and Human Interaction/ PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY AND ITS IMPORTANCE Human Ecology (ii) Methods and Techniques This chapter appears in the book entitled (a) Cartography including Computer Fundamentals of Physical Geography. The Cartography contents of the book clearly reflect its scope. (b) Quantitative Techniques/Statistical It is therefore, appropriate to know the Techniques importance of this branch of geography. Figure 1.3 : Branches of geography based on regional approach 2022-23 10 FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY Physical geography includes the study of sea-food, oceans are rich in mineral resources. lithosphere (landforms, drainage, relief and India has developed the technology for physiography), atmosphere (its composition, collecting manganese nodules from oceanic structure, elements and controls of weather bed. Soils are renewable resources, which and climate; temperature, pressure, winds, influence a number of economic activities such precipitation, climatic types, etc.), hydrosphere as agriculture. The fertility of the soil is both (oceans, seas, lakes and associated features naturally determined and culturally induced. with water realm) and biosphere ( life forms Soils also provide the basis for the biosphere including human being and macro-organism accommodating plants, animals and micro and their sustaining mechanism, viz. food organisms. chain, ecological parameters and ecological balance). Soils are formed through the process What is Geography? of pedogenesis and depend upon the parent rocks, climate, biological activity and time. Geography is concerned with the description and explanation of the areal differentiation of Time provides maturity to soils and helps in the earth’s surface. the development of soil profiles. Each element Richard Hartshorne is important for human beings. Landforms provide the base on which human activities are Geography studies the differences of located. The plains are utilised for agriculture. phenomena usually related in different parts of the earth’s surface. Plateaus provide forests and minerals. Hettner Mountains provide pastures, forests, tourist spots and are sources of rivers providing water to lowlands. Climate influences our house The study of physical geography is types, clothing and food habits. The climate emerging as a discipline of evaluating and has a profound effect on vegetation, cropping managing natural resources. In order to pattern, livestock farming and some achieve this objective, it is essential to industries, etc. Human beings have developed understand the intricate relationship between technologies which modify climatic elements physical environment and human beings. in a restricted space such as air conditioners Physical environment provides resources, and and coolers. Temperature and precipitation human beings utilise these resources and ensure the density of forests and quality of ensure their economic and cultural grassland. In India, monsoonal rainfall sets the development. Accelerated pace of resource agriculture rhythm in motion. Precipitation utilisation with the help of modern technology recharges the ground water aquifers which has created ecological imbalance in the world. later provides water for agriculture and Hence, a better understanding of physical domestic use. We study oceans which are the environment is absolutely essential for store house of resources. Besides fish and other sustainable development. EXERCISES 1. Multiple choice questions. (i) Which one of the following scholars coined the term ‘Geography’? (a) Herodotus (c) Galileo (b) Erathosthenese (d) Aristotle (ii) Which one of the following features can be termed as ‘physical feature’? (a) Port (c) Plain (b) Road (d) Water park 2022-23 GEOGRAPHY AS A DISCIPLINE 11 (iii) Make correct pairs from the following two columns and mark the correct option. 1. Meteorology A. Population Geography 2. Demography B. Soil Geography 3. Sociology C. Climatology 4. Pedology D. Social Geography (a) 1B,2C,3A,4D (c) 1D,2B,3C,4A (b) 1A,2D,3B,4C (d) 1C,2A,3D,4B (iv) Which one of the following questions is related to cause-effect relationship? (a) Why (c) What (b) Where (d) When (v) Which one of the following disciplines attempts temporal synthesis? (a) Sociology (c) Anthropology (b) Geography (d) History 2. Answer the following questions in about 30 words. (i) What important cultural features do you observe while going to school? Are they similar or dissimilar? Should they be included in the study of geography or not? If yes, why? (ii) You have seen a tennis ball, a cricket ball, an orange and a pumpkin. Which one amongst these resembles the shape of the earth? Why have you chosen this particular item to describe the shape of the earth? (iii) Do you celebrate Van Mahotsava in your school? Why do we plant so many trees? How do the trees maintain ecological balance? (iv) You have seen elephants, deer, earthworms, trees and grasses. Where do they live or grow? What is the name given to this sphere? Can you describe some of the important features of this sphere? (v) How much time do you take to reach your school from your house? Had the school been located across the road from your house, how much time would you have taken to reach school? What is the effect of the distance between your residence and the school on the time taken in commuting? Can you convert time into space and vice versa? 3. Answer the following questions in about 150 words. (i) You observe every day in your surroundings that there is variation in natural as well as cultural phenomena. All the trees are not of the same variety. All the birds and animals you see, are different. All these different elements are found on the earth. Can you now argue that geography is the study of “areal differentiation”? (ii) You have already studied geography, history, civics and economics as parts of social studies. Attempt an integration of these disciplines highlighting their interface. 2022-23 12 FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY Project Work Select forest as a natural resource. (i) Prepare a map of India showing the distribution of different types of forests. (ii) Write about the economic importance of forests for the country. (iii) Prepare a historical account of conservation of forests in India with focus on Chipko movements in Rajasthan and Uttaranchal. 2022-23