️ ️ Earth is our home :-
- Earth is our home.
- Different elements are visible around the earth.
- In which soil vegetation, plains, mountains, rivers, weather, sunlight, houses, roads, hospitals, fields, parks, schools, industries, offices, business institutions etc.
- Many of these elements are part of nature.
- While some have been created by humans with the help of nature.
- The elements of nature are called elements of nature.
- Whereas the elements made by man are called human elements or cultural elements.
️ Eratosthenes :-
Eratosthenes from 276 BC to 195–194 BC is called the father of geography .
Eratosthenes was a Greek mathematician, geographer, poet, astronomer and music theorist .
The term Geography was first used by the Greek scholar Eratosthenes .
️ Geography :-
'Geography' is made of two words in Greek language GEO meaning earth and Graphos meaning to describe . Thus its literal meaning is 'describing the earth'.
The Greek scholar named ' Eratosthenes ( 276-194 BC • ) used the term Geography . In the present time, the word geography means that ' the study of spatial and temporal variations found on the surface of the earth is called geography.
Geography as a scientific subject :-
Geography is a scientific subject. Geography as a mature scientific subject deals with the following three categories of questions:
( 1 ) What ?
There are some questions that are related to the identification of patterns of natural and cultural features found on the ground floor , which answer the question 'what'.
( 2 ) Where ?
There are also some such questions which are related to the distribution of physical and cultural elements on the earth , they are related to the question of 'where'.
( 3 ) Why ?
Some questions are related to the listed information related to which elements are located where . These questions are related to the explanation or the causal relationship between the elements and the facts. This aspect of geography is 'why' the question is connected.
Why should we study Geography subject?
The study of geography is very important for us because :-
The study of geography makes it easier for us to understand the diversity found in human societies. Due to which the feeling of universal peace and brotherhood is strengthened.
Geography gives us the ability to understand the variations of the earth's surface and to find out the factors causing such variations in the context of space and time.
Geography develops the skill of knowing the real earth through maps and visual knowledge of the various elements on the surface.
Modern scientific techniques in geography such as: - Geographical information system (GIS), computer cartography, the study of remote sensing, has provided the ability to acquire knowledge and skills and cooperate in national development.
Along with the increase in trade and commerce in the world, it has promoted administration, excursion and tourism.
There are two main approaches to the study of geography.
- (1) systematic approach
- (2) Territorial approach
️ Systematic Geography :-
In systematic geography, a specific geographical element is studied.
The systematic method presents the integrated form of a field.
This method is based on political units.
It studies, discovers and presents facts.
In this study, different types and sub-types are determined on the basis of a factor such as climate.
️ Regional Geography :-
In regional geography, a region is studied as a unit with reference to all the geographical elements.
The regional law presents a singular form.
This method is based on geographical units.
This method presents the interrelationship between the environment of a region and human beings.
The demarcation of the regions is done in this study. This is called regionalisation.
️ Various branches of regional geography :-
The following are the branches of regional geography based on regional approach –
- a) Regional / Regional Studies
- b) Regional Planning
- c) Regional Development
- D) Territorial deliberation / analysis
There are two main branches of geography :-
- 1) Physical Geography
- 2) Human Geography
️ Physical Geography :-
Physical geography is directly related to natural geography.
All the branches of physical geography come under natural geography.
All the branches of geography – economic geography, population geography, settlement geography, social geography, political geography, etc. – are closely related to the subjects, because all the spatial features are connected in them.
A geographer should be proficient in mathematics and art because in geography one has to study latitude and longitude, for which knowledge of mathematics is necessary and knowledge of art is necessary to prepare maps.
Importance of physical geography: -
In physical geography, the study of earth, atmosphere, water system, biosphere, food chain, soils, soil profile etc. is done, each of these elements is important for human beings.
Physical geography is developing as a subject related to the assessment and management of natural resources .
The physical environment provides resources and human beings ensure their economic and cultural development by using these resources.
Knowledge of physical environment is absolutely necessary for sustainable development, which underlines the importance of physical geography.
Description of the main branches of physical geography :-
There are four main branches of physical geography :
Geomorphology: - It is the genetic study of different types of land features found on the earth's surface, such as continents, mountains, plateaus, plains, river valleys etc.
Climatology :- In this systematic study of climate and its constituent elements is done. Climate is the main component of rainfall, temperature, air pressure, wind, storm etc.
Hydrology : - In this, the role of water in nature and human life is studied through oceans, rivers, lakes, glaciers and water vapor.
Soil Geography :- In this the process of formation of soil, their type, productivity level and their distribution are studied.
️ Importance of study of physical geography for human life :-
Physical geography is an important branch of geography, because it provides a solid foundation for the study of all geography.
This most important and basic branch of geography is related to the study of geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere.
All these elements of physical geography (landforms, water-flow and relief) have special importance because they affect human activities.
For example, plains are used for agriculture. Fertile soil provides a solid base for agriculture. It provides a solid foundation for all human activities. All human activities are influenced by different branches of physical geography.
️ Human Geography :-
Human geography studies the human or cultural elements on the earth's surface . Houses, villages, towns, cities, railways, roads, bridges etc. are made by man and are called human elements. Therefore, human geography is a very broad subject.
The following branches of human geography :-
- Cultural Geography.
- Social Geography.
- Population Geography.
- Urban Geography.
- Rural Geography.
- economic geography.
- Agricultural Geography.
- Industrial Geography.
- Political Geography.
- Trade and Transport Geography.
Inductive Method: -
Under the inductive method, the geographer collects a set of facts. Sorts out the similarities found in them and formulates rules. This study is based on 'From specific to general'.
D Deductive Method: -
In this, conclusions are drawn from the sentence on the basis of the said premise. This method is based on the principle of 'From general to specific'.
How does geography affect historical events?
Distance :- Distance has acted as an influential factor in changing world history.
Territorial expansion:- Territorial expansion has provided security to many countries during war, especially in the last century.
Wide sea:- The vast sea has saved his land from war by providing a new world.
Why does geography relate to the social and natural sciences?
Geography is closely related to the natural and social sciences. It has its own methodology and approach, which sets it apart from other sciences.
Geography has an osmotic relationship with other subjects, while other subjects have their own subject area.
Geography does not block the flow of individual information, just as the cell membranes of the body do not block the flow of blood.
The geographer makes use of the information and data obtained from the related subjects and analyzes them in the regional context.
Map which is an important tool of geographers, shows the regional pattern in a visual way.
️ Related to other social sciences of geography :-
The main branch of geography Human geography is closely related with the subjects of other social sciences like history, economics, political science, sociology, philosophy, demography etc.
Which is as follows :-
History and geography are closely related to each other because these two subjects are related to the study of time and place respectively.
Political science includes the analysis of state, area, population, sovereignty etc. While political geography studies the political behavior of the state and its population as a regional unit.
There is a close relationship between economic geography and economics , a sub-discipline of geography. There are many similarities in the subject matter of economics and economic geography.
Similarly, population geography is related to demographics , social geography is related to sociology, and cultural geography is related to anthropology.
️ Relationship of Geography with other subjects :-
- Economics :- Economic Geography
- History :- Historical Geography
- Political Science :- Political Geography
- Hydrology :- Oceanography
- Climatology :- Meteorology
- Plant and Animal Geography :- Botany and Zoology
- Population Geography :- Demography
- Environmental Science :- Environmental Geography
️ The interrelationship of man and nature :-
The human has compromised with nature through adaptation and modification.
Humans have made changes in the natural environment by using high technology and natural resources.
With the gradual development of technology, human beings have been able to loosen the bond held on themselves by the physical environment. Technology has increased labor efficiency by reducing the hardness of labor and has made provision for leisure during work.
