TOPIC 1
CONCEPT
OF GEOGRAPHY
OF GEOGRAPHY
Meaning of the term Geography.
The
term “geography” comes from the ancient Greeks, which are geo
and graphia. In Greek, geo means “Earth” and graphia means “to write,
draw or describe”.
term “geography” comes from the ancient Greeks, which are geo
and graphia. In Greek, geo means “Earth” and graphia means “to write,
draw or describe”.
These
two words together form geographia, which means to draw, write about or
describe the Earth. These meanings led to the development of the early
definition of geography which are;
two words together form geographia, which means to draw, write about or
describe the Earth. These meanings led to the development of the early
definition of geography which are;
Geography
is the study of distribution
and interrelationship of phenomena
in relation to the earth’s surface.
is the study of distribution
and interrelationship of phenomena
in relation to the earth’s surface.
Geography is a science that deals with the earth and its life, the description of Land Sea, air plants and animal life including human being and their
activities. It is the science of distributions
and is concerned with spatial
variations in any physical or cultural.
activities. It is the science of distributions
and is concerned with spatial
variations in any physical or cultural.
Geography can also referred to description of
the Earth by words, maps and statistics and included both the physical Earth
and everything found on it such as plants, animals and people. Therefore,
geography is the study of the distribution and interrelationship of phenomena
in relation to the Earth’s surface. Alternatively, geography can be described
as the study of the Earth and its environment.
the Earth by words, maps and statistics and included both the physical Earth
and everything found on it such as plants, animals and people. Therefore,
geography is the study of the distribution and interrelationship of phenomena
in relation to the Earth’s surface. Alternatively, geography can be described
as the study of the Earth and its environment.
Geographers
explore both the physical properties of Earth’s surface and the human societies
spread across it. They also examine how human culture interacts with the
natural environment and the way locations and places can have an impact on
people. Geography seeks to understand where things are found, why they are
there, and how they develop and change over time.
explore both the physical properties of Earth’s surface and the human societies
spread across it. They also examine how human culture interacts with the
natural environment and the way locations and places can have an impact on
people. Geography seeks to understand where things are found, why they are
there, and how they develop and change over time.
Branches of Geography
There
are three main branches of geography, namely physical geography, human and
economic geography and Practical geography.
are three main branches of geography, namely physical geography, human and
economic geography and Practical geography.
1. Physical
geography: Is
concerned with the study of Earth’s seasons, weather, climate, soil, streams,
landforms, and oceans. All of these features form the physical environment
which includes all natural features found on the Earth’s surface such as water
bodies, mountains, rivers, plains, natural forests, etc.
geography: Is
concerned with the study of Earth’s seasons, weather, climate, soil, streams,
landforms, and oceans. All of these features form the physical environment
which includes all natural features found on the Earth’s surface such as water
bodies, mountains, rivers, plains, natural forests, etc.
2. Human
and economic geography:
It involves the study of human activities on the Earth’s surface. Human
activities include farming, trade, mining, transportation, settlement,
tourisms, etc.
and economic geography:
It involves the study of human activities on the Earth’s surface. Human
activities include farming, trade, mining, transportation, settlement,
tourisms, etc.
3. Practical Geography: Is concerned with field study of photograph interpretation,
map work, statistics and research.
map work, statistics and research.
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The Importance of Studying Geography
The following are some of the reasons as why we are studying
geography:
geography:
1. To develop knowledge of places and environments throughout the
world. This will help in solving issues about the environment and sustainable
development.
world. This will help in solving issues about the environment and sustainable
development.
2. Geography serves as an important link between the natural and
social sciences. As you study geography, you encounter different societies and
cultures. This helps you realize how nations rely on each other.
social sciences. As you study geography, you encounter different societies and
cultures. This helps you realize how nations rely on each other.
3. To help us understand basic physical systems that affect
everyday life. For instance, how water cycles and ocean currents work are all
explained with geography. These are important systems to monitor and predict in
order to help lessen the impact of disasters.
everyday life. For instance, how water cycles and ocean currents work are all
explained with geography. These are important systems to monitor and predict in
order to help lessen the impact of disasters.
4. To learn the location of places and the physical and cultural
characteristics of those places in order to function more effectively in our
increasingly interdependent world.
characteristics of those places in order to function more effectively in our
increasingly interdependent world.
5. To enable us explore the methods and strategies used by other
nations for economic developments and how Tanzania can borrow and employ the
same for a similar purpose.
nations for economic developments and how Tanzania can borrow and employ the
same for a similar purpose.
6. To be able to make sensible judgments about spatial
distribution of human settlements in relation to physical environment.
distribution of human settlements in relation to physical environment.
7. To gain knowledge about the available, finite resources that
the Earth has been endowed with and how to manage and use them sustainably.
the Earth has been endowed with and how to manage and use them sustainably.
8. To help us take care of the world around us by understanding
others better and knowing the limitations of the Earth. This enable us make our
planet a more lovable one.
others better and knowing the limitations of the Earth. This enable us make our
planet a more lovable one.
9. To understand various types of natural environments and how to
harness them for equitable use by the present and future generations.
harness them for equitable use by the present and future generations.
10. To gain positive attitudes and values which enable one become
a responsible and successful member of the society.
a responsible and successful member of the society.
11. To serve as the basis for further studies in specialized
fields such as cartography (the science of map making), land survey,
meteorology (the study of weather and weather forecasting), climatology (study
of climate), seismography (the scientific measuring and recording of the shock
and vibrations of Earthquakes), teaching, aviation and research.
fields such as cartography (the science of map making), land survey,
meteorology (the study of weather and weather forecasting), climatology (study
of climate), seismography (the scientific measuring and recording of the shock
and vibrations of Earthquakes), teaching, aviation and research.
