GEOGRAPHY AS A DISCIPLINE
Why should we study geography?
We live on the surface of the earth; we depend on resources to sustain ourselves.
To learn about the diverse lands and people.
We know about the phenomena which vary over space.
To understand the changes which have taken place over time.
To understand the global converted into maps and visual sense of the earth's surface.
Geography The term geography was first coined by a German scholar Eratosthenes [276-294 BC]. The term Geography is derived from two Greek words ‘Geo [Earth] and graphos [description]’.
Geography means the description of the Earth.
The study area of geography
Geography is different from the study of other sciences in its methodology and subject matter even though it is closely related to other sciences.
Geography studies the variations and factors which cause the phenomena on the earth’s surface.
Both physical and human geographical phenomena are not static but highly dynamic.
Geography as a discipline is considered with three sets of questions.
Some questions related to the identification of the patterns of the natural and cultural features as found over the surface of the earth. These are the questions about what? These are the questions about where?
Some questions related to the distribution of the natural and the human or cultural features over the surface of the earth.
The third question is related to the explanations or the casual relationship between features and the process and phenomena. The aspect of geography is related to the question of why?
Geography as an integrating discipline
It is an integrating discipline that has an interface with the natural and social sciences.
It influences historical events.
In traditional warfare, countries with large sizes in the area, gain the space at cost of space.
In India, the Himalayas have acted as great barriers and provided protection but the passes provided routes to the migrants and invaders from central Asia.
The sea coast has encouraged contact with people from East and Southeast Asia, Europe and Africa.
Physical Geography and Natural Sciences
All the branches of geography are connected with the natural sciences.
The traditional physical geography is linked with geology, metrology, hydrology and pedology and thus, geomorphology, climatology, oceanography and soil geography respectively.
Bio-geography is closer related to botany, zoology and ecology.
The shape of the Earth is Geoids.
The cartographic and quantitative techniques require sufficient proficiency in mathematics, statistics and economics.
Geography and Social Sciences
All the social sciences disciplines viz. Sociology, Political Science, Economics and Demography study different aspects of social reality.
Geography and civics: the core concern of political science is territory, People and sovereignty while political science is also interested in the study of the state as a spatial unit as well as people and their political behaviour.
Geography and economics: economics deals with basics attributes of the economy such as production, distribution, exchange and consumption.
Branches of geography
Branches of geography [based on the systematic approach]
Geomorphology is related to the study of landmasses and their evolution.
Climatology: The structure of atmosphere and elements of weather and climates.
Hydrology studies the realm of the water over the surface of the earth and its effect on different life forms including human life and their activities.
Soil geography is studying the process of soil formation, soil types, fertility status, distribution and use.
Social or cultural geography is the study of the society and its spatial dynamics and cultural elements of the society.
Population and settlement geography [Rural and urban].
Population geography studies population growth, distribution, density, sex ratio, migration and occupational structure.
Settlement geography studies the characteristics of rural and urban settlements.
Economic geography studies the economic activities of the people including agriculture, industry trade and services.
Historical geography studies the historical processes through which the space gets organized.
Political geography studies the boundaries and political events relations with neighbouring countries, to understand the political behaviour of the population.
The interface between physical geography and human geography has led to the development of biogeography.
Plant geography studies the spatial pattern of natural vegetation in their habitats.
Zoo geography studies the spatial patterns and geographic characteristics of animals and their habitats.
Ecology or ecosystem deals with the scientific study of the habitats characteristics of species.
Environmental geography describes the spatial aspects of interactions between humans and the natural world.
Branches of Geography Based on Regional Approach
Regional studies or areal studies are interdisciplinary fields of research and scholarship about particular geographical, national or federal, or cultural regions.
Regional planning: comprising country or rural and town or urban planning.
Regional development:
Regional Analysis: There are two aspects which are common to every discipline.
[A] Geographical Thought
[B] Land and Human interaction or Human Ecology
[A] Cartography including Computer Cartography.
[B] Quantitative Techniques or Statistical Techniques.
[C] Field Survey Methods
[D] Geo-informatics comprising techniques such as Remote Sensing, GIS, GPS etc.
Physical geography
It includes the study of Lithosphere, Atmosphere, Hydrosphere and Biosphere.
It is essential to understand the intricate relationship between Physical Environment and Human beings.
