Introduction

Introduction

Upon hearing the word 'geography' most people immediately think of maps which detail physical landmasses and oceans on the Earth's surface. While geography does include the production of maps (cartography), it is the study of much more than just physical or even cultural features on a map. This chapter will define geography, and will look at the types of things that geographers study.

What is geography?

The word 'geography' can be divided into two parts, 'geo' and 'graphy.' 'Geo' comes from the Greek word 'ge', meaning 'Earth,' and 'graphy' comes from 'graphein', which means 'to describe.'

Geography is essentially the spatial (relating to space) and temporal (relating to time) study of people and places in the world. Geography can be divided into two main branches; physical geography, and human (or cultural) geography. Physical geography is generally classified as an Earth science, since it studies the physical features and environments of the Earth. These features may include volcanoes and rivers. Human geography is usually referred to as a social science, since it studies the way that humans interact with and have an impact on each other and the Earth. This includes the study of towns and farms. See image 1

Geography not only identifies examples of physical and human environments on the Earth, but it also studies how and why these environments change in size, density and distribution over time. Using this information, geographers are able to describe and analyse the different types of patterns which occur and the consequences that they may have in the future.

Origins of geography

Geography is thought to have originated with the ancient Greeks. It was the Greeks who showed the first interest in the size and shape of the Earth. Aristotle, an ancient Greek philosopher who lived 384 BC-322 BC, is believed to have been the first person to provide observational arguments that supported the idea that the Earth was round. Ancient Greek scholar, Eratosthenes (275 BC-195 BC), also shared a keen interest in geography. He is thought to have been the first person to calculate the circumference and tilt of the Earth. See image 2. Aristotle's arguments supported a round Earth.

The knowledge of the Ancient Greeks was passed on to the Romans, who continued to build upon these foundations over time. While there was a renewed interest in the development of accurate maps during the 16th and 17th centuries, it was not until the 18th and 19th centuries that geography began to emerge as a university subject in its own right. Recent developments in technology have enabled geography to flourish in modern times.

What do geographers do?

The role of a geographer is to ask questions about the people and places in the world, and to find answers to these questions. Some of the main questions that geographers ask are:

1. Where is it?
2. How did it get there?
3. Why is it there?
4. Has it changed over time?
5. What is it affecting and how is it being affected?

Geographers find answers to their questions by collecting information called data. Data can be collected in a number of ways, including observation and questioning. Geographical data is often collected outdoors, in the natural environment. Geographers call studies of this kind fieldwork. Once the data has been sorted, it is recorded so that geographers can refer back to the information collected. The recorded data is then interpreted, often being compared with relevant findings of other geographers. From this information, geographers draw conclusions. See image 3

Geographers use a number of tools to help them explain the world in which we live. The most common tools that they use are maps, photographs, tables, charts, graphs, models and surveys.