Module 1: Uncovering the Past
Lesson 2: Studying Geography
- The word geography comes from the
Greek word geographia, which means
“to describe the earth.”
Eratosthenes was a Greek mathematician,
geographer, and astronomer who was most
famous for his calculations of the Earth’s
circumference.
He is the father of geography because he was the
first one to use the word geography and he also
calculated the circumference of the earth.
His calculations help to understand the size and
the shape of the earth.
How does the study of geography affect history ?
Physical geography and human geography contribute
to the study of history.
When you hear about an event on the news, the first
questions you ask may be
“Where did it happen?” or “Who was there?”
Historians ask the same questions about events that
happened in the past. That is why they need to study
geography.
Geography is the study of the earth’s physical and cultural (human) features.
Physical features include mountains and rivers.
Cultural features include people, cities, and countries.
Geography is divided into two types:
Physical geography is the study of the Human geography is the study of people
earth’s physical features and processes, and the places where they live.
such as mountains, rivers, oceans,
rainfall, and climate.
People who work in this field are called People who work in this field are called
physical geographers. human geographers.
Physical geographers organize the Human geographers study different things
earth’s land surface into seven large about people and their cultures. What kind of
landmasses, called continents. work do people do? How do they get their
The continents are further organized into food? What are their homes like? How do
different countries. Earth’s land surface people who live near rivers protect themselves
is also organized into different regions. from floods? How do people who live in
deserts survive?
What are the tools used by geographers?
- The most famous geographic tool is a map.
Geographers use globes, tables, charts,
compasses, and photographs.
- Today, people use computers and satellites to
develop maps.
- A satellite is an object that orbits a planet.
- LANDSAT satellites provide images of the earth’s
surface. These images are then used to make
highly accurate maps.
- The Global Positioning System, or GPS uses
satellites to show one’s exact location on an
electronic map.
- Geographic Information System, or GIS is a
computer system that creates a map using various
types of information. Google Maps is probably the
most widely used of the GIS platforms.
GPS GIS
Definition Global Positioning System is a
system that determines the
Geographic Information System is
a computer system that captures,
location of something using data stores, and displays geographic data.
from satellites.
Usages It is most commonly used in cell
phone applications to know the
It is used to create electronic maps
by combining different types of
location. It is also used to track information or data.
vehicles, packages, and people.
Importance It helps in navigation, travelling,
and identifying a certain location.
It helps in creating modern maps.
Both GPS and GIS are important components in human geography.
There are several types of maps:
- Physical maps show physical features.
(mountains, rivers, oceans, and islands)
Most maps have symbols to show different things.
For example, large dots often stand for cities.
Blue lines show where rivers flow.
- Political maps show cities and boundaries
(borders) of states or countries.
- Thematic maps (special purpose maps) highlight
specific details, such as weather or population.
Geography and history are closely connected.
Geography has helped shape history and
has affected the growth of societies.
People who live in areas with many natural
resources could use their resources to
become rich. They could build glorious
cities and powerful armies.
On the other hand, geography has also caused
Features such as rivers also made trade
problems.
easier. Many societies became rich by
trading goods with other peoples. Floods, for example, have killed millions of people.
Lack of rainfall has brought deadly food shortages.
Storms have broken ships.
In the 1200s, for example, a people known as the
Mongols tried to invade Japan. However, most of
the Mongol ships were destroyed by a powerful
storm. Japanese history might have been very
different if the storm had not occurred.
“Geography doesn’t simply begin and end with maps
showing the location of all the countries of the world.
In fact, such maps don’t necessarily tell us much.
No geography poses fascinating questions about who we are
and how we got to be that way, and then provides clues to
the answers. It is impossible to understand history,
international politics, the world economy, religions,
philosophy, or ‘patterns of culture’ without taking
geography into account.”
—Kenneth C. Davis
