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Geography
Geography in its broad sense, is defined as a spatial science that deals with the study of the Earth
and its lands, features, inhabitants and phenomena. The word “Geography” has come from the
Greek words “Geo” which means “The earth” and “graphy” which means “description” Thus
geography literally means “description of the Earth”.
It is such kind of discipline that teaches us about man-environment interaction in course of time and
space.
Some referenced definition of “Geography” is stated as follows-

 Geography is the study of the earth. It explains the varieties found in various parts of the
world.
(Immanuel Kart)
 Geography is concerned with the description and explanation of the areal differentiation of
the earth’s surface.
(David Harvey)

NATURE OF GEOGRAPHY
Geography is concerned with place. Understanding the nature and causes of aerial differentiation on
the global surface has been the geographer’s task since people first noticed differences between
places.
Through geography we seek to understand these differences in patterns of human distribution,
interrelationships between human society and the physical environment, people’s use of the Earth in
time and space, and how these differences are related to people’s cultures and economies. These,
and other related themes, express major concerns of our time and reflect the consequences of
spatial decisions.

In geography’s pursuit of this understanding the questions “where?”, “why?,” and “how?” are
central. The first of these introduces the issues of location and spatial choice; the latter two signify
that modern geography is not content merely to describe, but seeks to explain.
Beyond these questions, geographers also ask a fourth―“what if?”―as a means of seeking
alternatives and giving the subject an applied dimension that can assist decision makers in planning
and development at a variety of geographical scales.
The idea of place is not an examinable objective but an ultimate goal, whose pursuit gives direction
to geographical study. As a geographical concept it refers to the aerial context of events, objects,
and actions; in other words, to the patterns resulting from human occupancy of the global surface
over time. The areal context is set in space which, though measurable, has by itself no meaning.

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Space becomes place when humans invest it with meaning, most commonly by giving it a name and
all of the associations that that name evokes.

The terms place and region may, therefore, be distinguished by spatial scale, rather than by inherent
differences, for both involve space that has been invested with meaning. Two important implications
flow from this understanding of place:
First, geography is strongly influenced by the norms of the social sciences. The complexity and
changing nature of human society seldom permit the type of precision expected in the physical
sciences. Instead, the social sciences offer a variety of perspectives and methods of study by which
to examine the consequences of human behaviour on the global surface. In studying the idea of
place from a spatial perspective, geographers inevitably encounter the problem of change through
time; for them, landscape is document. Historians, too, are concerned with change through time as
they document the consequences of human behaviour. Thus, like geographers, historians are also
concerned with place. Indeed, a common concern with place brings the work of geographers and
historians close together.

Second, physical geographers, no less than human geographers, contribute to an understanding of

place; for the concept of site―the physical characteristics of a place―is integral to understanding
aerial differentiation on the global surface. Nevertheless, geographers focus on the patterns and
interactions to be found on that surface, and not primarily on the natural processes that act on it
from above or below. They recognize that interaction between humans and their environment has
always been mutual, and that the growth of technology has increased the human capacity to modify
the environment.

That growth in technology has greatly aided geographers in their traditional tasks. It has given them
increasingly refined techniques for gathering and interpreting data, whether in the field by means of
GPS or by aerial and satellite imagery. Spatial relationships are at the heart of geography. Using
software to analyze spatial relationships among objects being mapped, GIS, in particular, has greatly
assisted geographers in depicting the character of place. Not only can they now process larger
quantities of data more quickly and with greater refinement, but also they can manipulate variables
and thus project alternatives that give geography an applied dimension.
Finally, their work can be displayed using advanced techniques of computer-generated mapping. The
view of geography presented here is that of a core sharply focused on the concept of place one in
which both physical and human elements play an important part. The subject has an applied
dimension that can affect our daily lives. It can, therefore, be a powerful medium for the
development of skills contributing to citizenship and cultural awareness.

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FIVE THEMES OF GEOGRAPHY

Following are the five themes of geography:

1. Location: Location is an angular distance created by longitude and latitude. In the basic
concept, it refers to a particular position within space usually but not necessarily a position
on the earth’s surface.Location is defined as a particular place or position. Most studies of
geography begin with the mention of this theme of geography. Location can be of two
types: absolute location and relative location.
2. Place: Place refers to the physical and human aspects of a location. This theme of geography
is associated with toponym (the name of a place), site (the description of the features of the
place), and situation (the environmental conditions of the place). Each place in the world has
its unique characteristics. The landforms, hydrology, biogeography, pedology, etc., of each
place, is different, and so are its patterns of human habitation.
3. Regions: A region is an area of earth surface with physical and human charateristics that
distinguish it from other region. An area on the planet that is composed of places with a
unifying characteristic is a region, one of the five themes of geography. A region is defined by
its uniform physical or human characteristics.
4. Environment: Environment is the sum total of all surroundings of a living organism, including
natural forces and other living things, which provide conditions for development and growth
as well as of danger and damage.
5. Movement: The Earth is full of movement and in a human-dominated planet, movement
primarily refers to the translocation of human beings, their goods, and their ideas from one
end of the planet to another. Thus, the theme of movement becomes an important part of
geographical studies.
Movement deals with studies of population immigration, emigration, and distribution in the
countries of the world. Also the transport of goods from one place on the Earth to another
(study of trade) and interchange of ideas between the nations of the world. Thus, the theme
of movement forms an integral part of geographical studies.

Time:
Time is a manmade concept which is very important to identify a phenomenon that took place on the
earth surface. There are four major concepts to find out a phenomena or an event and the four
questions (what, where, when, how) that give us the description of an event.
By referring latitude and longitude we can divide minutes (1/60 th of a degree) and seconds (1/60th of a
minute) of any place on earth.

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Place:
Place refers to the physical and human aspects of a location. This theme of geography is associated
with toponym (the name of a place), site (the description of the features of the place), and situation
(the environmental conditions of the place). Each place in the world has its unique characteristics.
The landforms, hydrology, biogeography, pedology, etc., of each place, is different, and so are its
patterns of human habitation. The human characteristics of place are defined by the nature and size
of its human population, the distinct human cultures, their ways of life, etc. The concept of “place”
aids geographers to compare and contrast two places on Earth.

Distance:
Distance means interval of space or time. Geographical distance is the distance that measures along
the surface of the earth. Calculating the distance between geographical coordinates is based on
some level of abstraction; it does not provide an exact distance.

Time & Space:

The concepts of time and space are very important for understanding the function of phenomena in
the natural world. Time is important in Geography because the spatial patterns that are studied can
often only be explained in historic terms. The measurement of time is not absolute. Time is perceived
by humans in a relative fashion by using human created units of measurement. Examples of human
created units of time are the measurement of seconds, minutes, hours, and days.
Geographers generally conceptualize two types of space. Concrete space represents the real world or
environment. Abstract space models reality in a way that distills much of the spatial information
contained in the real world. Maps are an excellent example of abstract space.

Finally, like time, space is also perceived by humans in a relative fashion by using human created units
of measurement and both are variable in terms of scale.

Concept:
A concept is an abstract idea representing the fundamental characteristics of what it represents.
Concepts arise as abstractions or generalizations from experience or the result of a transformation
of existing ideas.
The concept is instantiated by all of its actual or potential instances, whether these are things in the
real world or other ideas.
Concepts are treated in many if not most disciplines both explicitly, such as in linguistics, psychology,
philosophy, etc., and implicitly, such as in mathematics, physics, etc.

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Perception:
Perception (from the Latin perceptio, percipio) is the organization, identification, and interpretation
of sensory information in order to represent and understand the environment. Perception is shaped
by learning, memory, expectation, and attention.

Region:
A region is an area on earth’s surface with physical and human characteristics that distinguish it from
other regions (Michael Bradshaw). A region can be defined by natural or artificial features.
Language, Government or Religion can define a region as can forests, wildlife or climate.
A region can be created by human or it could be created by nature. And whatever may be the origin,
the main purpose of a region is the welfare of human being.

Knowledge:
Knowledge is the circumstance or condition of apprehending the truth or fact through reasoning.
It can also be defined as a familiarity, awareness, or understanding of someone or something, such
as facts, information, descriptions, or skills, which is acquired through experience or education by
perceiving, discovering, or learning.
Knowledge can be divided into 2 classes as such: Logical and Physical.

Pattern:
A sequence of actions, natural and/or cultural, that shape and change environments, places and
societies. Some examples of geographic processes include erosion, migration, desertification and
globalisation.

Process:
May be spatial: the arrangement of features on the earth’s surface; or temporal: how characteristics
differ over time in recognizable ways.

Observation:
Observation is the active acquisition of information from a primary source. In living beings,
observation employs the senses. In science, observation can also involve the recording of data via
the use of instruments. The term may also refer to any data collected during the scientific activity.
Observations can be qualitative, that is, only the absence or presence of a property is noted, or
quantitative if a numerical value is attached to the observed phenomenon by counting or measuring.

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Location:
A location is the place where a particular point or object exists that is determined using latitude and
longitude of the earth precisely. It is an important term in geography. A location can be either
absolute or relative.
Absolute location is defined by the co-ordinate system, latitude and longitude.
Relative location is defined by relating with other places and is used in reference to other location.

Spatial Analysis:
Spatial analysis is a type of geographical analysis which seeks to explain patterns of human behavior
and its spatial expression in terms of mathematics and geometry, i.e., locational analysis.

Phenomenon:
A phenomenon is an event that takes place in geographic time and space. It refers to anything that
manifests itself and is observable within nature.
Therefore a geographic phenomenon is a phenomenon that requires two descriptions- “what is
present” and “where is it”.

Environment:
In general concept, environment means the surrounding elements’ as a whole around us.

Environment is the aggregation of all those things and set of conditions which directly or indirectly
influence not only the growth or development and quality of life of individual organisms but also a
community of a particular place.

Environment comprises of a number of factors which interact with one another and also influences
the response of the organisms, such as-

Natural environment: Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, Lithosphere, Biosphere.

Social environment: Culture, Behavior, Mannerism etc.

BRANCHES OF GEOGRAPHY
There are 2 main branches of geography. They are-

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 Physical geography
 Human geography

Physical geography includes natural environmental processes across the earth’s surface that result
in the distribution of climate varieties, plant ecologies and other patterns. In addition, physical
geography increasingly examines the impacts of human actions on Earth’s natural environment.

Human geography is a branch of geography that focuses on the study of patterns and processes
that shape human interaction with the environment, with particular reference to the causes and
consequences of the spatial distribution of human activities on Earth’s surface.

GEOGRAPHY AS A DISCIPLINE

For a subject to be a discipline, it must follow and obey 3 criteria of discipline which are-

 It should be taught in a university

 It should have a professional association
 It should have a journal publication

Emphasizing on the first criterion, we can say that Geography is a subject that is being taught from
an early age in different universities of the world. It is also often called “mother of natural science”.

To look into the second criterion, the scope and field of geography is very wide when it comes to
professional association. Sectors of geography include GIS, Urban planning, Human development
program, Economical, Political or Cultural geography. Some famous geographers who took
geography as a profession are- Immanuel Kant, Eratosthenes (father of geography), Ptolemy etc.

In the present world, Geography has a wide number of journal publications along with research
papers. The USGS, AGA, BGS are some examples of some association where a lot of journals are
published in different categories.

Thus, “Geography”, as it fulfills all the 3 criteria to be a discipline, it can be concluded that geography
serves precisely as a discipline.

IMPORTANCE OF GEOGRAPHY

Geography draws from across the physical, cultural, economic and political spheres to illuminate key
issues for the present and the future, explored at all scales from the personal to the local and the
global. Through geography we learn to appreciate the diversity of landscapes, peoples and cultures.

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Geography is therefore a vital subject resource for 21st century global citizens, enabling us to face
questions of what it means to live sustainably in an interdependent world.
Importance of geography is mentioned as follows-

1. To learn about the location of places, the physical and cultural characteristics of those
places in order to function more effectively in our increasingly interdependent world.
2. To understand the geography of past times and how geography has played important roles
in the evolution of people, their ideas, places and environments.
3. To develop a mental map of our community, province or territory, country and the world.
4. To explain how the processes of human and physical systems have arranged and sometimes
changed the surface of the Earth.
5. To understand the spatial organization of society and see order in what often appears to be
random scattering of people and places.
6. To recognize spatial distributions at all scales — local and worldwide — in order to
understand the complex connectivity of people and places.
7. To understand global interdependence and to become a better global citizen.
8. To understand basic physical systems that affect everyday life (e.g. earth-sun relationships,
water cycles, wind and ocean currents).
9. Geography is a focus within the curriculum for understanding and resolving issues about the
environment and sustainable development.
10. It is also an important link between the natural and social sciences.
11. As pupils study geography, they encounter different societies and cultures. This helps them
realize how nations rely on each other.
12. It can inspire them to think about their own place in the world, their values, and their rights
and responsibilities to other people and the environment.
13. Geography helps us investigate and to think critically and creatively about the complexities
of places, and different views and feelings relating to places.
14. Geography is studied through enquiry; this requires the formulation of effective questions.
15. Fieldwork and outdoor education are essential to geography.
16. The subject helps develop significant elements of the skills framework, with a strong
emphasis on utilising maps and visual images as well as new technologies including
Geographical Information.

All these transferable geographical skills help to equip us for lifelong learning as responsible global
citizens.

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GEOGRAPHY AS A HOLISTIC

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CHARACTERISTICS OF GEOGRAPHY

i. Geography is a physical science. Geographers study, measure and map the elemental forces
that shape our planet.
ii. It is social science that studies families, tribes and nations and how they grow and change
through time.
iii. The study of spatial relationships& map relationships between people, places &
environments is a characteristic of geography.
iv. It is a bridge among disciplines i.e. Geographers work with individuals and organizations with
many interests.
v. Geography consists of three interrelated and inseparable components:

 Subject matter - the foundation for national geography standards

 Skills - utilizes the Five Sets of Geographic Skills
 Perspectives - spatial (pattern and Earth processes) and ecological (complex web of
relationships between living and nonliving elements on the Earth's surface)

vi. Geography is a spatial science

vii. Geography involves area studies
viii. Geography studies human - environmental relationships
ix. There are 5 themes of geography mentioned as follows:

 Location - Absolute and Relative

 Place - Physical and Human
 Human - Environment Interaction
 Movement - Earth's processes, people, products, ideas
 Region - Physical and Human

x. Geography has 6 essential elements:

 The World in Spatial Terms - Geographers study the relationships between people,
places and environments.
 Places and Regions - Geographers study individuals & groups of people in physical
places & human regions.
 Physical Systems - Geographers study physical processes, ecosystems & their
relationships with plants & animals.
 Human Systems - Geographers study human activities, settlements, structures and
human competition.
 Environment and Society - Geographers study the relationships between the natural
world and human activity.
 The uses of Geography - Geographers learn from the relationship between people,
places & environments over time.

xi. Geography deals with the characteristics and spatial distribution of ecosystems on Earth's
surface.

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xii. It also deals with the characteristics, distribution, and migration of human populations on
Earth's surface.
xiii. Geography also concerns about the characteristics, distribution, and complexity of Earth's
cultural mosaics.
xiv. The patterns and networks of economic interdependence on the Earth's surface are also a
study matter of geography.
xv. It deals with the process, patterns, and functions of human settlement.
xvi. It explains how human actions modify the physical environment and how physical systems
affect human systems.
xvii. Geography also emphasizes on the changes that occur in the meaning, use, distribution, and
importance of resources.

SCOPE OF GEOGRAPHY

Geography is the science that studies interaction between man and his environment, so geography
has clear objects and scope.

Rhoad Murphey, in his book “The Scope of Geography” proposed 3 scopes of Geographical study:

(1) Geography learns the spread of mankind on earth’s surface. Besides, it studies about
aspects of humans living place also how to use it.
(2) Geography studies the mutual relationship between man and physical environment as a
part of regional diversity study.
(3) Geography studies a regional frame and analyses a region that has specific
characteristics.

From the analysis above, it is clear that the scope of geography is inseparable from natural aspects
and human aspects. The meaning of environment in geography is not only limited to natural
environment, but also man-made environment.

Besides geography has now acquired the status of science that explains the arrangements of various
natural and cultural features on the earth’s surface. Geography is a holistic and interdisciplinary field
of study engaged in understanding the changing spatial structure from past to the future. Thus, the
scope of geography is in various disciplines, disaster management, meteorology, planning and
various social sciences.

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SUBJECT MATTER OF GEOGRAPHY

Geography has been defined at difficult times in different places and by different times, in different
places and by different geographers and scholars. If we analyze these definition in scientific way, we
will find a distinct nature of geography.

Geographers look at the Earth in all of these ways- as a physical object, as a physical environment, as
a human place. Geographers also look at the world as a whole to understand the connection
between places and to recognize the local and global effects on those particular places. Geography
contains set of related idea and approach to the subject matter

(1) How human action modify physical environment

(2) How physical system affect human system
(3) Areal differentiation
(4) Space and place
(5) Spatial organization

TOOLS OF GEOGRAPHY

Each branch of systematic knowledge has certain methods/tools and techniques on which it depends
to further basic objectives. Geography too has its tools, techniques and methods. Important among
them are globes, maps, diagram, relief models, and spatial analytical methods. Besides some other
important tools of geography are

(1) Cartography
(2) Geographic information system (GIS)
(3) Remote Sensing (RS)
(4) Quantitative Tools
(5) Qualitative Tools

APPROACH OF GEOGRAPHY

 Spatial
 Locational
 Area
 Systemic

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