Chapter 1: Geography as a Discipline
1. What is Geography?
Definition: "The description of the earth as the abode of human beings."
Word Origin (Greek):
'Geo' (Earth) + 'Graphos' (Description)
Coined by: Eratosthenes (276-194 BC)
It studies Areal Differentiation (how things differ from place to place).
2. The 3 Important Questions
To be a scientific discipline, Geography asks:
- What? (Identification of patterns)
- Where? (Distribution of features)
- Why? (Explanation of Causal relationships)
"Why" is most important! e.g., Cropping patterns differ because of soil & climate variation.
Geography as an Integrating Discipline
Geography is a discipline of Synthesis.
- History = Temporal Synthesis (Time)
- Geography = Spatial Synthesis (Space)
Geo affects History: Himalayas acted as barriers (protection), but passes allowed invaders. Sea coasts encouraged trade.
3. Two Major Approaches
A. Systematic Approach
(By Alexander Von Humboldt)
Study one phenomenon world-over (e.g., studying "Natural Vegetation" globally).
B. Regional Approach
(By Karl Ritter)
Divide world into regions & study everything in that region holistically.
4. Human & Nature Relationship
They are not separate! It is a dynamic relationship.
Metaphor: Nature is the Stage, Humans are the Actors.
"You created the soil, I created the cup."
"You created night, I created the lamp."
This leads to Humanised Nature and Naturalised Humans.
Branches of Geography
Based on Systematic Approach:
- Physical Geography: Geomorphology (Land), Climatology (Climate), Hydrology (Water), Soil Geog.
- Human Geography: Social, Population, Economic, Political.
- Biogeography: Plant, Zoo, Ecology, Environmental.
Based on Regional Approach:
- Regional Studies (Macro, Meso, Micro)
- Regional Planning (Rural/Urban)
- Regional Development & Analysis
5. Importance of Physical Geo
- Lithosphere: Provides land for agriculture & minerals.
- Atmosphere: Influences weather, food & clothing.
- Hydrosphere: Water for life (drinking, irrigation).
- Biosphere: Food chain & ecological balance.