Definitions
Definition of geography
Geography is the description, and explanation of the spatial distribution and interrelationship of phenomena (including human) on the surface of the earth.
Definition of environment
It is the external surroundings in which a living organism lives.
Definition of ecology
A set of external conditions which influence the development and behaviour of specific living organisms.
Branches of geography. Physical geography
The subject has two main branches; namely
- physical geography;
- human geography.
Physical geography
The branch of geography that deals with natural processes and features on the earth’s surface. Areas of study in physical geography include;
- The earth and the solar system.
- Internal and external land forming processes and the resultant features.
- The atmosphere and the processes associated with weather and climate.
- The extent and nature of the seas and oceans of the world.
- Soils, minerals and vegetation.
Branches of physical geography
Physical geography has the following branches:
- Geomorphology
- Climatology
- Hydrology
- Pedology
- Oceanology
- Bio-geography
Activity
Define the different branches of physical geography.
Branches of geography. Human geography
It is the study of people, their activities and relationships between human activities and the physical environment.
Areas of study in human geography include:
- Agriculture
- Forestry
- Settlement
- Mining
- Fishing
- Transport and communication
- Energy
- Wildlife and tourism
- Industry
- Population and settlement
- Trade
- Management and conservation of environment.
Branches of human geography
Human geography has the following branches:
- Population geography
- Medical geography
- Political geography
- Economic geography
- Historical geography
Activity
Define the different branches of human geography.
There is a third branch of geography called practical geography. This is concerned with practical aspects of the subject such as remote sensing, photograph work, map work, statistics and fieldwork.
Importance of studying geography
Like other subjects in the school curriculum, the teaching of geography is important in the following ways:
- It is a career subject and leads to many future careers such as surveying, engineering, medicine, architecture, hydrology, cartography and remote sensing.
- It equips the learner with important skills in life like map reading, photograph interpretation and quantitative analysis.
- The study of geography exposes learners to their immediate environment hence they are able to appreciate the importance of environmental conservation.
- Through fieldwork, the study of geography enables the learner to acquire interactive skills.
- It enhances international awareness and co-operation as we study the different environment under which different people live and the kind of activities they engage in.
- Through fieldwork, the learner acquires values, for example, respect for farm work, time management and co-operating with others.
Activity
Discuss why a student in your school should study geography.
Relationship between geography and other subjects
Geography has a relationship with most of the other subjects. It is generally a bridge between social sciences and the earth sciences. It borrows heavily both in its content and methodology from the two areas. It is related to the following subjects:
- Mathematics
The geographers use mathematical principles and formula in their calculations. Mathematical techniques are also used to present geographical information e.g. pie charts. Knowledge on direction and bearing is used to calculate distances around the globe. - Biology
Biology studies the structure and physiology of living things while geography focuses on their distribution and effects on human activities. - Chemistry
It studies substances, emphasizing on their composition and behavior. Geography applies this when studying the composition of the earth, atmosphere and rocks among others. - Geology
It studies the origin, structure and composition of the earth, including the study of rocks. Geography also studies the origin, structure and composition of the earth as part of our environment. - Medicine
Deals with the nature of diseases, their causes and possible cure. Geography has keen interest in the distribution of diseases, factors influencing this distribution, and how they affect human beings. It further explains why some diseases are common in specific areas. - Economics
It studies peoples’ actions in relation to wealth. It studies how man produces and consumes wealth. This overlaps in geography because wealth is produced from natural resources such as forests, vegetation, wildlife, mineral, seas and oceans, which all form an important component of geography. - Demography
This is a scientific study of human population with emphasis on density, age and sex composition, mortality and migration. These are important aspects of study in population geography. - Agriculture
It is the art of growing crops and rearing animals. Geography, studies types of agriculture, their distribution and factors influencing agriculture. - Meteorology
It is the study of the atmospheric conditions of a place and deals with weather forecasting. Geography uses information from the meteorologist to classify and map world climates. - History
History needs the knowledge of geography in tracing the past events such as migration and settlement of people, the route they followed and factors that influenced migration such as climate and vegetation. - Physics
Physics studies matter and natural forces while geography uses the instruments in physics such as thermometers, barometers and anemometers to study geographical concepts such as weather and climate. - Civil engineering
Civil engineering studies building, and maintenance of structures like roads, railways and airports. Geography studies the suitability of the area where the buildings are to be constructed. It also studies their significance to the human environment.
Activity
Draw a chart to show the relationship between geography and other subjects.
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