What Is Geography?

Lenaé Raymond

AP Human Geography

Mrs. Porter

August 22, 2014

What is Geography?

        Geography is the study of physical and human surroundings in the world and how they connect with each other. The word “Geography” inhabited its name from a greek scholar named Eratosthenes. “Geo” means Earth and “graphia” means writings. Therefore, the root of geography means “writings about (or the study of) Earth (Document 6). Geography is a constantly changing phenomena. A map or atlas can be created by a cartographer and before it’s published, there are many errors because of how quickly the geography has changed in that amount of time (Document 1).  Physical Geography is a natural science which studies environmental elements such as climate, soil, and vegetation. Human Geography is a social science meaning it studies languages, industries, and cities (Document 9). Both Physical and Human Geography are used to help, understand, and support a geographical situation in the world. For example, both can use their factors such as climate, soil, and industry to see if agriculture could be in a certain location. Another example would be where you want to move according to the climate, languages, cultures, and industries. Geography is one of the most ancient sciences. Back in the day, people could track where they found food and water or where danger is located (Document 6).

        Human Geography is important to evaluate how people communicate and solve problems. Also, how people adapt to cultures, new ways, and a regional environment    (Document 1). It is a key to understanding human activities, relations, interrelations, and environments created by humans themselves (Document 2). Human Geography is about recognizing the distinctiveness and unity of a certain region and how it came to be. Furthermore, it helps to understand international relationships, global communications, abrupt local changes, and growing testimonies of environmental degradation (Document 8).

        Geography is used everyday in our lives and we don’t even recognize it. Maps are used everyday whether its digital, a road map, globe, or an atlas. Maps are not always directions though, they can be used for science purposes also. You are able to track the way a disease (such as cancer) travels and is distributed. This is called spatial discipline which means that geographers aren't focused on what something is, but how it is dispersed (Document 3). You can show a geographer a map and there is suddenly many connections and relations that will come to their mind. They will recognize connections between different people, environments, and places (Document 11). Geography affects us as it can determine how to live our lives. It tells us how to dress depending on our location, climate, culture, even company (Document 13). Additionally, geography helps us travel to places we need to go by using a map or a navigational device such as a Global Positioning System (GPS). Almost anything in our world can be studied geographically. Human activities like city planning to boundary making and coincidental connections like climate change and historical events can be studied. Geography is always looking at the events from the past, present, and future (Document 12).