What is geography?

Description

The study of the Earth’s landforms, oceans, environment and ecosystems, and the interactions
between the human society and their environment. The word geography literally means “earth
writing”. Geography has been elucidated by various sources time and again

Geo= Earth, Graphy = description/ writing

Definitions

1. Geography is the science that deals with the description of the Earth’s surface
2. Geography is the study of the Earth’s physical features and environment including the
impact of human activity on these factors and vice versa
3. The study of the systems and processes involved in the world's weather, mountains, seas, lakes,
etc. and of the ways in which countries and people organize life within an area

Branches of Geography

Geography

Physical Human
Geography Geography

Physical Geography

Physical geography is defined as the branch of geography that encompasses the

study of the natural features and phenomena (or processes) on the Earth.

1. Biogeography: An indispensable field of physical geography, biogeography is the study

of how species on Earth are dispersed in geographic space.
2. Climatology: Climatology is the study of the atmospheric conditions and related
climatic and weather phenomena. It examines all aspects related to the micro or local
climates of places and also the macro or global climate. It also involves an examination
of the impact of human society on climate and vice versa.
 3. Glaciology: This field of physical geography deals with the study of the inter-dynamics
of glaciers and their effects on the planet’s environment.
4. Hydrology: Hydrology deals with the study of the properties of the Earth’s water
resources. The field encompasses the study of the rivers, lakes, glaciers, and underground
aquifers on the planet.
5. Oceanography : It is concerned with the study of various types of Oceanic formate
component and processes related to ocean floor depths, currents, corals reefs, and
continental drifts etc
6. Soil Geography : It studies various soil forming processes, their physical, chemical and
biological constituents, their colour and types, texture, and distribution and carrying
capacity etc

Human Geography:

Human Geography
Human geography is the branch of geography that deals with the study of how the
human society is influenced by the Earth’s surface and environment and how, in
turn, anthropological activities impact the planet.

Political geography : It is the study of political phenomena in their spatial context. Main focus remains
for creation and transformation of political and administrative region.
Relationship of Commerce with Geography:-

Commerce is intimately related to geography. In Commerce, we study about various goods. This
production is governed by various geographical factors such as the nature of soil. Moreover, the
economical conditions of a country depend to a large extent on its geographical conditions. A
close inter-relationship between Commerce & geography has lead to the development of many
new branches such as Commercial geography human – geography etc. Agriculture industry and
other Commercial activities depend to a large extent on the various geographical factors
prevailing in a region. E.g. the industrial unit is generally established in an area where the raw
materials are available in abundance.

The wealth of a country to a large extent depends upon various geographical factors because the
wealth generating activities industry & agriculture depend upon various geographical factors.
Thus to achieve good results we must have a good geographical background. Actually speaking
in Commercial geography an attempt is made to study various principles which help us in the
study of Commercial aspects of various geographical factors. It is not only the availability of raw
material & production but the means of transport & communication etc. that must also be taken
into consideration while studying the Commerce.. Thus, we find that economics & geography are
highly correlated.

Human geography which is an important branch of geography deals with various natural &
geographical factors like mountains, forests, rivers which have a god deal of influence on the
man & other living beings. Means of livelihood of man are very much governed & determined
by various geographical factors.