WEEK 1

Geography is the study of different people in different locations of the earth

including their activities like agriculture, mining, fishing, trading and
manufacturing as well as construction.

OR
Geography is a social science that deals with the study of physical features and
cultural elements found on our physical environment. What are those things
called physical features that Geographers study about? These are nature
provided features such as mountains, landscape, bodies of water, vegetation,
soil, rocks, climate, plains and atmosphere. While cultural elements are: man-
made features such as; road networks, bridges, railway lines, housing.

OR
What is local geography?

Local geography involves the study of our immediate environment. It involves

the study of both physical and socio-cultural aspects of the locality. The
physical aspect involves, mountains, lowlands, bodies of water, etc., while the
socio-cultural aspect includes: schools, churches, mosques, markets and
transportation. The locality therefore includes the villages and towns local
government areas and the states.

The scope of geography

Geography is a social science subject which deals with the study of man and his
activities within his environment. Geography touches many other disciplines
such as Agricultural Science, Government, History and Economics. It is a
subject which cuts across many other fields of human society.

The value of Geography

- Geography study the way of life of other people
- Geography study the physical environment around us
- It enables us to known the importance of physical features around us and
how they can be harnessed for human use.
- It enables us to understand other areas of study like agriculture, ecology
and food chain in biology.
- It helps us to choose a professional career
- Geography has helped us to know the resources of other nations.
 WEEK 2

Geographic Method
There are two methods that geographers use to study a place and its people. A.
topical method b. regional methods.

a. Topical method:
This is a method where one single topic is used to collect information on
several regions.

b. Regional method: this method looks at several topic in a single region.

In order to apply the above two methods, the following steps of geographic
inquiry is applied.

a. Observation b. classification c. definition d. comparison e.

generalization

Geographic Tools

In order for the geographers to observe, analyze and report on the landscape and
the relationship between man and his environment, he employs the usage basic
tools such as:

a. Globes b. map

What is a globe: it is a close approximation to the shape to the shape of the

earth. It depicts accurate distance, direction and shape of the land and water
bodies. Even though, the globe is of great value to geographer, is bulky size
tends to limit its usefulness.

Map
Map is a representation on that surface, or part of the earth’s surface drawn to a
scales.
Branches of Geography: (1) Physical Geography

Physical Geography: is concerned with the natural elements placed on the

physical environments.

a. Geomorphology: is a branch of physical geography that deals with the

study of landforms placed on the earth’s surface by nature.
b. Bio- geography: another branch of physical geography that deals with the
study or investigates the spatial relationships of plants and animals.
c. Pedology: is also another branch of physical geography that deals with
the study of soil.
d. Hydrology is a branch of physical geography that studies underground
water and the entire water system.
e. Meteorology: another branch of physical geography that deals with the
study of the circulation of the atmosphere over a short period of time.
f. Climatology: deals with the study of weather and its effects on life and
equally examines the circulation of the atmosphere over long period of
time.
g. Geology: is also a branch of physical geography that studies the forms of
earth’s surface and subsurface, and the processes that create and modify
landforms.
h. Ecology: is part of physical geography that studies the interactions
between organisms and their environment.
i. Oceanography: is a branch of physical geography that examines the
biology, chemistry, physics, and geology of the ocean waters.
j. Cartography: is part of a physical geography that deals with technique of
map-making.

WEEK 3

Rotation:

Rotation is one of the motions of the earth. The earth rotates on its axis from
West to East. The rotating earth is inclined at an angle of 23 ½ along its axis. It
takes the earth twenty-four hours to complete through 3600 in every 24 hours.

Effects:
The rotation of the earth causes day and night.
- It also causes the deflation of winds and ocean currents.
- It results to the apparent sunrise and sunset
- It causes time differences from place to place
- It brings about daily rising and falling of tides.
- It also causes Dawn and Twilight.
Revolution:
Revolution is also one of the motions of the earth. It is movement of the earth
round the sun on its Orbit. The revolving of 66 ½0 to the plane of eidetic during
its revolution. It takes the earth 365 ¼ days to complete one revolution.

Effects:
The revolution of the earth causes the four seasons in a year.
- It determines a year.
- It brings about varying length of day and night at different times of the
year.
- It brings about changes in the attitude of the mid-day-sun
- It brings about equinox and solstices.

What is Eclipse?
Eclipse is formed when three bodies; the sun, earth and the moon are in straight
line during the movement of the earth.

Types of eclipse: the two types of eclipse are:

Lunar or moon eclipse: This type of eclipse occur when the earth comes in
between the moon and the sun.

Solar or sun eclipse: this type of eclipse occur when the moon comes in between
the sun and the earth.

What is dawn?
Dawn refers to the brief period between sunrise and full daylight.

What is twilight: twilight refers to the brief period between sunset and complete
darkness.

WEEK 4

Latitude lines: are imaginary lines running from West to East of the earth
surface, but angular distance measuring North and South directions.

Functions of latitude lines

1. It is used to measure distances north or south directions

2. It is used to locate places on the map
How do we measure north and south directions using latitude lines
Note formula used: if the direction is North – North = Subtract, but if it is
North/South = Add. If its South-South=Subtract, but if it is South/north=Add.

Example I: Calculate the distance between Sinoe (300) and Zwedru (400N)

Note: 11KM is a constant Latitude of Zwedru 400N

formula. It is obtained by Latitude difference 400N + 300S
Dividing 40,085km divided by
360 = 111km = 70
Then, multiply this 70 x 11km = 7,770km

Example II
What is the distance between Monrovia 400N and Bomi 300N
Solution: Latitude of Monrovia 400N
Latitude of Bomi 300N
Latitude difference 300N - 40N
26
Therefore, 26 x 111km = 2,886km
The distance between Monrovia and Bomi is 2,886km
WEEK 5

Determination note the procedure for calculating local time

1. Locate the places involved in the question.
2. Find the longitude difference
3. Convert the longitude difference to time.
4. Adjust the time according to the direction of movement (i.e West or East)
Example: what is the local time in Liberian long 300E. when it is 6:00PM is
Sudan, long 450 East longitude .

Solution:
Both countries are in the East. Therefore, we subtract.
Step 1: difference in long 450 – 300 = 150
Step 2: Convert 150 = 1 hr
150

Step 3: 6:00 the local time in Liberia will be 5:Pm

1.00
5.00PM

Example 2:
Question: what is the local time in Guinea 500W. when it is 12:00 in London
(00)?

Step 1: Difference is long = 500 = 00 or 50 + 0 = 50

50
Step 2: Convert Degree to time = = 3hrs reminder 50
15

50 x 4 minutes = 25 minutes.
12:00
Step 3: Adjust time to direction = 3:20 mins
8.40 mins

Therefore, the time in Guinea is 8hrs 40 minutes