GEOGRAPHY

WHAT IS GEOGRAPHY?

Geography is the study of Earth’s landscapes, peoples, places and environments. It is, quite simply, about the world in which we live.

Geography is unique in bridging the social sciences (human geography) with the natural sciences (physical geography). Human geography concerns the understanding of the dynamics of cultures, societies and economies, and physical geography concerns the understanding of the dynamics of physical landscapes and the environment.

Geography puts this understanding of social and physical processes within the context of places and regions recognising the great differences in cultures, political systems, economies, landscapes and environments across the world, and the links between them. Understanding the causes of differences and inequalities between places and social groups underlie much of the newer developments in human geography.

Geography provides an ideal framework for relating other fields of knowledge. It is not surprising that those trained as geographers often contribute substantially to the applied management of resources and environments.

Geography is, in the broadest sense, an education for life and for living. Learning through geography – whether gained through formal learning or experientially through travel, fieldwork and expeditions – helps us all to be more socially and environmentally sensitive, informed and responsible citizens and employee

IMPORTANCE OF STUDY GEOGRAPHY

Many topics debated in the news and in politics center on issues of geography. Some of these include global warming and issues involving water resources. As the world becomes more interrelated and interdependent through technological advances, it is increasingly important to understand the physical and cultural differences of other places.

 Studying geography also opens a link to understanding the history of one's own culture, as well as that of others. The study of geography allows students to learn how to create mental maps, which makes it easier for them to negotiate and navigate their own environments.

Without the knowledge of geography, the collections of groups of people around the planet can seem random; understanding the effect geography has on their groupings helps their spatial organization make sense. An understanding of geography also allows one to make smart choices when dealing with issues regarding the relationship of society to the physical environment.

                                                         
Geography teaches students important skills

Through the study of geography students learn to read maps and interpret information at geographical scales from local to global. They are able to use data from maps, tables, graphs, and text to recognize patterns and solve problems. Students also can integrate concepts from many different areas of science, social science, and the humanities, and apply critical thinking to understanding and dealing with current issues of local, national, and international importance.

Geography helps student learn about the world

Knowing something about where places are and what they are like is important. As the last "superpower" and a major player in international affairs, the United States needs citizens who have basic knowledge of other parts of the world as well as our own country. We also need to understand regional relationships and the role the United States plays in them.

Geography contributes to international understanding

The world's economies are increasingly linked into an international network of trade and exchange. If our competitors know more about us than we do about them, they have an advantage in serving our markets and negotiating trade agreements, and we are placed at a disadvantage in reaching their markets. Well-planned geography education at all grade levels will help to make us more aware of other countries and cultures and prepare our students to take their place in the world.

Geography and citizenship

Knowledge of geography helps us be better citizens. Through geography we learn to locate important events. We can understand the relationship between geography and national or international policies and we can use geographical knowledge to make informed decisions regarding the best use of the nation's resources. Finally, geographic knowledge helps us to ask important questions about policies that lead to changes in landscape and land use. Geographically informed students will be effective leaders for our country.

Geography and economics

There is a close relationship between geography and economics. The location of natural resources, the shape of transportation networks and the technology they use, the level of industrialization or energy production, and many other geographical factors influence the kind of economy a country or region will have. Trade patterns are fundamental elements of both geography and economics.

Geography and history

Geography provides important clues to the past. Landforms and climate are related to migration patterns, land use, and the rise and fall of civilizations. How people use the land also has a strong bearing on the economic progress of countries and regions. Thus, knowing what the landscape was like in the past is important for understanding historical processes; as is knowing who lived in a place, how they lived, and how they used the land.

Geography and the environment                                                                                                    

Many human geographers examine the relationship between humans and the environments in which they live and physical geographers are concerned with how natural systems work. Geographers conduct research to understand the impact of environmental factors on human individual and group behavior, to identify the ways in which humans change the environments in which they live, and to determine the long-term environmental impacts of social processes such as population growth and technological development. These are key issues for determining government and private sector environmental policies with which an education citizenry should be acquainted.