Ch-1: Geography as a Discipline

DEFINITION: Geography is the description of the earth. Earlier scholars defined it as "the description of the earth as the abode of human beings".

ETYMOLOGY: Coined by Eratosthenese (Greek scholar). Derived from Geo (earth) + Graphos (description).

Why Study Geography?

  • We live on the earth's surface and depend on surrounding resources to sustain.
  • Equips us to appreciate diversity and investigate causes of variations over space and time.
  • Skills in GIS and computer cartography help in national development.
  • Example: Primitive societies relied on edible plants/animals; modern humans use technology to modify the environment.

3 Sets of Questions:

  1. What? - Identification of features.
  2. Where? - Distribution of features.
  3. Why? - Explanation or causal relationship.

Approaches to Geography:

  • Systematic: By Alexander Von Humboldt. A phenomenon is studied world over as a whole.
  • Regional: By Karl Ritter. World is divided into regions (Macro, Meso, Micro) and studied holistically.

Branches (Systematic):

1. Physical: Geomorphology (landforms), Climatology (weather), Hydrology (water), Soil Geography (pedogenesis).

2. Human: Social/Cultural, Population/Settlement, Economic, Historical, Political.

3. Biogeography: Plant, Zoo, Ecology, Environmental.

--- EXERCISE SOLUTIONS ---

1. MCQs: (i) b, (ii) c, (iii) d, (iv) a, (v) d.

2. Short Answers (30 Words):

  • (ii) Shape of Earth: Resembles an Orange (bulging at equator, flat at poles).
  • (iii) Van Mahotsava: To maintain ecological balance and provide resources.
  • (iv) Sphere: Grasses/Animals live in the Biosphere.
  • (v) Time/Space: We can convert distance into time (e.g., 2 hours away instead of 100km).

3. Long Answers: Integration of disciplines. Geography is a synthesis that links history (time) with space.

--- PROJECT WORK: FORESTS ---

Example: India has Tropical Evergreen and Mangrove forests. Forests provide timber and medicinal plants.

Conservation: The Chipko Movement in Uttarakhand/Rajasthan shows historical forest protection.

[Diagram 1]
🌍 + ✍️
Geo + Graphos
= Geography
🏔️ 🏙️

(Physical + Cultural)

[Flowchart]
APPROACHES
↓
Humboldt (Systematic)
Ritter (Regional)
🖥️ 🛰️

(GIS & GPS Techniques)

[The 4 Realms]
Lithos 🏔️
Atmos ☁️
Hydro 🌊
Bios 🌱
🤝

(Human-Nature Interaction)