312 introduction to geog f1
- 1. CONTENT 1) Definition of: a) Geography b) Environment 2) Branches of Geography a) Physical Geography b) Human Geography 3. Importance of studying Geography 4. Relation between Geography and other disciplines
- 2. Introduction to Geography Geo means the earth and graphien or grapho means to draw and describe. Geographia means to draw, describe or write about the earth. Geography is the scientific study of the earth as a home for man OR a science that studies the earth as the environment of humankind.
- 3. Environment refers to all the external conditions surrounding an organism (plants, animals, and human beings). There are two types of environment: A. The physical environment: It includes the natural physical conditions of weather, climate, vegetation, animals, soil, landforms. and drainage. B. The human environment: It comprises human activities such as farming, forestry, mining, tourism, settlements, transportation, trade, and industry.
- 4. Branches of geography A. Physical geography It deals with the study of the natural physical environment of humankind. It covers the following: oThe earth in relation to the solar system, oThe external and internal structure of the earth. oThe internal land-forming processes, oThe external land-forming processes, oWeather and climate, oVegetation. oDrainage, and oSoils and rocks.
- 5. B. It is the study of people and their activities on the earth’s surface. The human activities studied include: • Agriculture and Forestry, • Mining, wildlife and tourism, • Fishing, • Energy and industrial development, • Trade, transport and communication, • Population and settlement • Management and conservation of the environment.
- 6. Another smaller branch of geography is called practical Geography which equips the learners with the practical skills that enhance their understanding and interpretation of physical and human geographical information. It includes: a) Statistical methods b) Maps and mapwork c) Fieldwork d) Photograph work
- 7. GEOGRAPHY Relationship between geography and other subjects
- 8. Relationship between geography and other subjects a) Mathematics formulae are used in Geography to calculate distances, areas and population densities. Mathematics also applies geographical knowledge about direction and bearing to calculate distances around the globe. {Mathematical Geography}.
- 9. Relationship between geography and other subjects b) History studies and records the events of the past and the present. Geography attempts to explain where these events took place. {Historical Geography}
- 10. Relationship between geography and other subjects c) Biology is the scientific study of organisms, focusing on their anatomy, physiology and behaviour while Geography is interested in the distribution of organisms (plants and animals) and the factors influencing this distribution. It is also called {Biogeography} d) Chemistry is the study of substances, their composition and their behaviour whereas Geography applies chemistry in studying the chemical composition of rocks and soils.
- 11. Relationship between geography and other subjects d) Agriculture is the cultivation of crops and rearing of animals. Geography studies farming systems, their distribution and the factors affecting farming activities. e) Meteorology deals with atmospheric conditions of a place and weather forecasting. Geography uses meteorological data for classifying climatic regions and mapping them. (Climatology)
- 12. f) Demography is the scientific study of the numbers of people, their composition and their structure. In geography this population studies is called Population Geography. g) Medicine deals with the diagnosing, preventing and curing of diseases in people, animals and plants. Geography pays attention to the factors influencing the spread of diseases and how diseases affect the way people utilize natural resources. This is called Medical Geography.
- 13. Importance of studying geography 1) The learner is able to learn and explain the origin of the earth, the solar system and the internal structure of the earth. 2) It helps learners to develop the skills of observing, reading, analysing and interpreting maps, photographs, charts, diagrams and statistical data; identify the methods of collecting and representing geographical information.
- 14. Importance of studying geography 3) It facilitates better understanding of people's way of life. 4) It encourages international awareness, interaction and cooperation. 5) One is able to acquire basic skills and knowledge, which contribute to local, regional and national development. 6) It creates awareness in the people on the significance of management and conservation of the environment.
- 15. 7) Geography is a career subject.