Geography As A Discipline

“Geography studies the differences of phenomena usually related in different parts of the earth’s surface.”

Hettner

Geography is one of the disciplines, which has multiple colours and perspectives, as it keeps integral relation with all the subjects of science as well as social science. However, many people have misconceptions about geography is—geography is all about studying the location of different regions and places on the earth’s surface. But this interpretation of geography as a discipline is just an introduction to geography as a subject. In fact, starting from the evolution of universe, then our solar system, then all the planets (including our earth) and other celestial bodies to every natural phenomenon occurring on the planet earth and of course the existence of every flora and fauna in their particular geographic regions; all these things are explained in geography.

In addition to this, modern geography has also integrated technology i.e. GIS (Geographical Information System) and Remote Sensing, to explain and predict natural phenomena such as weather systems, cyclones, tsunamis, volcanic activity, floods, droughts, etc. Further, technology helps in identifying the natural resources that are located in different parts of the planet earth and also helps in human navigation.

What is Geography?

In short and simple words, we can say that

"Geography is the description of the earth and associated phenomena."

As we know, the surface of the earth is not uniform, but rather it has variations in terms of high-rising mountains, hills, plateaus to deep valleys and oceans; some places having plains with river systems, fertile soil, and lush green vegetation, while some places are simply desert and barren land. In addition to the natural and physical differences, there are also socio-cultural differences, as there are ultra-modern cities in one region of the earth, then in some other regions, there are tribal groups whose physical appearance and living-styles are entirely different from the urban people.

Interestingly, in geography, these variations are very important because, with the help of these variations, we can understand and explain different natural phenomena as well as we can establish a relationship between the physical environment and socio-cultural practices. Likewise, now we can very well appreciate why, in different geographic regions, people have different social cultural practices in terms of food habits, clothing, festivals, occupations, etc. And, geography as a subject not only explains all these features, characteristics, and significance, but also explains their internal and external relationships, which further helps us to fulfil our present needs and maintain the balance in the ecosystem and conserve future biodiversity.

Another aspect of geography, as described above, is mapping. Mapping in geography, has a major role to play because it gives a correct and graphic view of the earth’s surface. Probably, it was the reason that studying geography through maps was started in the ancient period itself. One of the first maps of the world was created by Anaximander (c. 610–546 BCE).

Anaximander’s map was circular in form and showed the known lands of the world grouped around the Aegean Sea at the center, and it was all surrounded by the ocean (see the picture given above):

Hence, after the creation and manifestation of the first world map, studies of geography have been emphasized through maps; hence, the technique of cartography has developed as a specialized discipline of geography. Techniques for developing more and more accurate maps have been developed, which really make geographers’ work easy. In the late 20th century, in the form of computerized mapping, advanced technology was introduced. Scientists started using satellite images and Geographical Information Systems tools, which can map not only the surface of the earth but also describe the internal structure of the earth’s surface. Such technology not only made geographers’ work easy but also made human life sophisticated.

Definitions

The term geography was first coined by Eratosthenes, a Greek Scholar (276-194 BC.), which is taken from two Greek root words ‘geo’ meaning ‘earth’ and ‘graphos’ meaning ‘description. ‘Likewise, its literal meaning is description of the earth.

An Egyptian mathematician, astronomer, astrologer, and geographer, Claudius Ptolemy defines geography as −

“The purpose of geography is to provide ‘a view of the whole’ earth by mapping the location of places.”

A German polymath, geographer, naturalist, and explorer, Alexander von Humboldt defines geography as −

“Geography is a synthesizing discipline that establishes the relationship between the general with the special through measurement, mapping, and a regional emphasis.”

A German geographer Alfred Hettner defines geography as −

“Geography studies the differences of phenomena usually occurring in different parts of the earth’s surface.”

An American geographer Richard Hartshorne defines geography as −

“Geography is concerned with the description and explanation of the areal differentiation of the earth’s surface.”

Likewise, geography is one of the oldest earth science subjects, largely focuses on the interaction of all physical and human phenomena and the respective landscapes created by such interactions. It is about how and where human and natural activities occur and how and why these activities are interconnected.

Why to Study Geography?

In the above two sections, we have discussed the meaning and definitions of geography, where different features and characteristics of the earth and related phenomena such as weather systems, physical features, political features, socio-cultural features, etc. are explained. As humans, we also live on this planet, and the previously described features and phenomena have an indirect and direct impact on our lives. Secondly, for many reasons, including our food, clothing, medicine, occupation, etc., we depend on the different natural resources available on the earth.

As a geography student, you must be curious to learn more about all such environmental phenomena that vary over space and time, especially if your livelihood is dependent on natural resources and natural phenomena. Geography equips you and makes you capable to appreciate the geographic diversity and investigate into the causes accountable for creating such variations over time and space. This knowledge and understanding will make you capable of protecting human beings (including yourself) and conserving the natural environment.

Geography as a Discipline

I would like to begin this section with a few sentences taken from the very first chapter (page no. 4) of NCERT Class 11 Geography book (namely – “Fundamentals of Physical Geography”) as:

“Geography is a discipline of synthesis. It attempts spatial synthesis, and history attempts temporal synthesis. Its approach is holistic in nature. It recognises the fact that the world is a system of interdependencies.”

In this explanation, as we can see, the term "synthesis" has been emphasized, which means (especially in a given context) an act of combining different features and relevant phenomena of the earth and then trying to establish and extract the meaningful relationship. And, such knowledge helps in the development of our society and the conservation of the environment in totality. For such beneficial reasons, geography is the focal point of investigation and study right from the beginning.

Likewise, geography as a discipline is directly related to space and time and focuses on spatial characteristics and attributes. It emphasizes on the patterns of the geographic features, their locations, distribution and occurrence of relevant phenomena in different regions and then gives an explanation for these patterns. And lastly, it explains the inter-relationships between the phenomena resulting from dynamic interaction between human beings and their physical environment.

Further, geography, as an inter-disciplinary subject, has relationships with almost every subject in the natural and social sciences. All these subjects, whether natural science or social science, have one fundamental objective, i.e., understanding the facts and reality; and geography strives to understand these associations of phenomena, specifically related to reality. Every scientific discipline is linked with geography and helps them understand all such reality in its entirety in its spatial perspective. Thus, geography not only explains the differences in these phenomena from one place to another, but also integrates them holistically.

However, over a period in time, geography has undergone manifold changes in its approaches and perspectives. In the beginning, its emphasis was on the description (questions start with "where"), as it was giving an explanation for almost every geographic feature and phenomenon visible through the naked eye. Later, geographers started giving their attention to the analytical part; they started investigating the reasons, i.e., focusing on "how" and "why."

And, in the last a few decades, with the integration of advanced technology, along with description and analysis, geographers have also started focusing on "prediction." Predicting about the phenomena like climate change and its various effects such as global warming, melting of ice, sea level rise, change in weather patterns, loss of flora and fauna, etc. In fact, such predictions are essentially required to protect the planet earth in totality or else very soon, we may lose all kinds of lives very soon.

In essence, Geography is concerned with −
a)	Location
b)	Space
c)	Spatial distribution of living and non-living things
d)	Patterns of their distribution
e)	Significance of their inter or/and intra relationships
f)	Regional characteristics and impact of these geographic elements on human life and settlement
g)	Different forces that keep changing the earth’s features
h)	Preparation of different thematic maps for planning and development
i)	Analyses of Satellite images for various purposes.
j)	Preparation, analysis, and interpretation of satellite imagery and then use that in different applications.

Conclusion

Moreover, we can say that geography as a discipline evolved to explain why things are distributed in their specific places and why and how specific natural phenomenon occurs across space and time; what are the relationships between different biotic and abiotic elements; how do different flora and fauna make association and live in accordance while maintaining their diversity.

And, on top of this, with the help of such geographic knowledge, we can make judicious future decisions about how best to explore, use, manage, and protect our planet earth.