The origin of Geography
The term Geography is derived from two Greek words: Geo and Graphien. Geo means Earth
and Graphien means to write, draw or describe.
The two words combined to become Geographien – which means to write, draw or describe the
earth.
Geographien was later adapted by English language to become Geography. Its definition was
improved upon and today Geography is defined as “the study of the earth as a home of
mankind” –kcse 2019
Definition of Environment
Environment is the external conditions that surround an organisms/ external conditions that
influence the development and behavior of an organism –kcse 2020
The set of these external surroundings that influence the development and behaviour of a specific
living organism is referred to as ecology.
The home that provides the physical conditions under which specific living organisms live is
referred to as habitat.
The complex of a community of organism and its environment functioning as an ecological unit
is referred to as ecosystem.
This environment is divided into two:
Physical environment comprising natural/ physical features that are products of land forming
processes.
Human environment comprising human activities on the earth’s surface and their effects.
Branches of Geography –kcse 2019
Physical geography
Human and Economic geography
Practical geography
1. Physical Geography
This deals with land forming processes that shape the earth’s surface and their resultant
features and effects.
Areas/ Topics covered under physical geography.
Study of Earth & the Solar System
Weather & Climate
Internal land forming processes such as folding, faulting and vulcanicity.
External land forming processes such as weathering and mass wasting, action of rivers,
lakes, glaciation, action of wind & water in arid areas, oceans, seas & their coasts e.t.c.
Soil
Vegetation
Minerals and Rocks
Divisions of physical geography –kcse 2020
Geology
Geomorphology
Climatology/Meteorology
Pedology
Biogeography/Ecology
Hydrology
Spatial geography
2. Human and Economic Geography
This involves the study of people/human and their activities on the earth’s surface. These
activities are because of exploitation and processing of available physical resources.
Areas/ Topics covered under Human and Economic geography.
Mining
Forestry
Fishing
Agriculture
Wildlife and tourism
Industry
Transport and communication
Trade
Division of Human and Economic geography.
Historical geography
Cultural geography
Demography geography
Political geography
Social geography
Settlement geography
Economic geography
3. Practical geography
-These are skills used in the study and understanding of physical and human & economic
geography.
Areas/Topics covered under Practical Geography.
Map work
Fieldwork
Photograph work
Statistical methods
Importance of practical geography.
It gives learners an opportunity to develop skills.
It enables learners to develop a practical understanding and interpretation of geographical
information.
It enables learners to clearly bring out the interrelationship between different
geographical events.
Relationship between geography and other disciplines.
Geography as a subject widely relates with other disciplines/subjects as follows:
Geography and Mathematics –kcse 2012
Mathematics principles/formulae are used in geography to calculate distance/area/population
density.
Geography information can be analyzed/presented accurately through the application of
mathematical techniques.
Geographical concepts are applied in calculating direction/bearing in mathematics.
Geography and Biology
Biology is the study of plants and animals while geography attempts to explain the
distribution of these plants and animals on the earth’s surface as well as their
importance.
Geography and Agriculture –kcse 2017
Geography deals with the study of climate and weather which is important in planning
agricultural activities such as planting and harvesting.
Geography studies the relief of an area which helps identify suitable areas for various
agricultural activities.
Geography describes and explains agricultural systems, their distribution and differences
in terms of development.
Geography deals with type of soils which influences types of crops.
