Study of Geography

A. Geography is the study of

1. the earth's surface and the processes that shape it,
2. the connections between places,
3. and the complex relationships that develop between people and their environments— physical surroundings.

Geographers are scientists who study the relationship between people and their environments.


B. Branches of Geography

1. The two major branches of geography are

a. physical geography—study of the physical features and changes on the earth's surface
b. cultural geography—study of humans and their ideas, and the impact of human ideas and actions on the earth.

culture—the way of life that distinguishes a group of people (i.e. tools, foods, gov't, religions, language, customs, beliefs, knowledge, skills, art, clothing, music, literature, architecture, law, lifestyles, etc.)

2. Other branches of geography include:

a. biophysical geography—study of the natural environment and the interrelationships of all the living things in that environment
b. topography—shapes of the land and the bodies of water in a given location
c. political geography—study of the political organization of areas
d. social geography—study of groups of people, and the interrelationships among groups and communities
e. economic geography—study of resources and resource use, agriculture and land use, and global trade interactions
f. historical geography—study of the ways in which the relationships between people and their environments have changed over time
g. urban geography—focuses on the locations of cities, the services cities provide, and the movements of goods and people to and from cities
h. cartography—art and science of map-making.
i. cartographer—a person who makes maps or charts

C. Importance of Geography

Geography is important because it can
1. help us know more about each other and our cultures,
2. help us understand our environment and problems associated with it,
3. help us better understand the ways in which each of us interacts with, and is dependent on others and the environment,
4. and help us solve environmental, political, economic, and social problems.