What is geography? - BBC Bitesize (2024)

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What is geography?

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Key points

  • Geography can be split into three areas: human geography, physical geography and environmental geography.
  • Human geography is the study of societies, cultures and economies.
  • Physical geography is the study of landscapes and environments.
  • Environmental geography is the study of how humans impact the Earth.

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Human and physical geography

Video: What is geography?

is the study of the world, but as the world is a large and complex place, the subject is divided up into two main areas - human geography and physical geography. The study of the relationship between these two main areas is called environmental geography, which can be considered the third area of geography.

What is geography? - BBC Bitesize (1)

relates to the people who live on our planet, Earth. In this area of study, geographers might explore the following things:

  • - how the number of people in the world is growing and why
  • - why people make the choice to move
  • patterns - where people live and what these places are like
  • societal changes - development, globalisation, resources and conflict

What is geography? - BBC Bitesize (2)

Physical geography

What is geography? - BBC Bitesize (3)

relates to the natural world around us. In this area of study, geographers might explore the following things:

  • how our is created and changes over time
  • how rivers and glaciers change the environment around us
  • why areas experience the weather and climate they do
  • different and of the Earth
  • the hazards humans face from volcanoes, earthquakes and tropical storms

These lists are not exhaustive and cover only a small part of what geographers investigate.

What is geography? - BBC Bitesize (4)

Question

Are earthquakes studied as part of human geography or physical geography?

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Quiz: Human and physical geography

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Environmental geography

The study of interactions between humans and the physical world is known as . This can be considered the third type of geography.

A physical process, such as an , will affect the human geography of a country, destroying and disrupting development. Just as physical processes impact upon humans, humans also impact upon the Earth.

What is geography? - BBC Bitesize (5)

In this area of study, geographers might explore the following things:

  • pollution
  • the destruction of habitats
  • climate change

Although humans only appeared on Earth around 200,000 years ago, we have made enormous changes to our environment. We have cleared forests to farm and build settlements. Most scientists agree that human action such as the burning of fossil fuels and the destruction of the rainforest is contributing to .

What is geography? - BBC Bitesize (6)

Question

What is the name of the type of geography which studies our impact on the natural world?

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The three types of geography

What is geography? - BBC Bitesize (7)

Question

In which part of geography would climate change be studied?

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Quiz: Environmental geography

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Planet Planners game. gamePlanet Planners game

Make decisions for the planet in this KS3 geography game

What is geography? - BBC Bitesize (8)

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What is geography? - BBC Bitesize (2024)

FAQs

What is geography in simple words? ›

Geography is the study of places and the relationships between people and their environments. Geographers explore both the physical properties of Earth's surface and the human societies spread across it.

What is geography explained to kids? ›

Geography is about Earth's land, water, air, and living things—particularly people. The word comes from the Greek geo, which means “Earth,” and graphy, which means “writing or description.” Physical geographers study landforms, water, soil, and climate. They also study the distribution of living things.

What is the definition of geography for dummies? ›

Geography is a science that deals with Earth's surface. People who study geography are called geographers. Geographers are interested in Earth's physical features, such as mountains, deserts, rivers, and oceans. They are also interested in the ways that people affect and are affected by the natural world.

What are the three main types of geography? ›

Geography can be split into three areas: human geography, physical geography and environmental geography. Human geography is the study of societies, cultures and economies.

What is the basic concept of geography? ›

It deals with location, space, patterns and distribution of life, landforms, resources, environment and development. Human geography is the study of human use and understanding of the whole world and the processes which have affected it.

What is the short description of geography? ›

geography, the study of the diverse environments, places, and spaces of Earth's surface and their interactions. It seeks to answer the questions of why things are as they are, where they are.

What are the 5 themes of geography? ›

The five themes of geography are location, place, human-environment interaction, movement, and region. These were defined in 1984 by the National Council for Geographic Education and the Association of American Geographers to facilitate and organize the teaching of geography in the K-12 classroom.

Why is geography important in simple words? ›

Studying geography helps us understand our environment, from helping us to predict natural disasters to implementing changes in response to issues such as global warming. From how weather systems work to natural phenomena, global population and migration, you will develop a strong knowledge of how the world works.

Why is it called geography? ›

'Geography' derives from the Greek γεωγραφία – geographia, literally "Earth-writing", that is, description or writing about the Earth. The first person to use the word geography was Eratosthenes (276–194 BC).

What is a synonym for the word geography? ›

earth science geology geopolitics topography. Strong matches. cartography physiography topology.

What are the two main branches of geography? ›

Geography's two main branches are physical geography and human geography. Geographers identify and locate major physical and human geographic features of various places and regions in the world.

What is the difference between geography and geology? ›

Geography explores the spatial relationships between humans and their environment, while geology investigates the Earth's materials, structure, and history. Both disciplines offer unique advantages and face specific challenges.

Is geography a science or an art? ›

In a word, Geography is a Science—a thing not of mere names but of argument and reason, of cause and effect. Geography as a discipline can be split broadly into three main branches: human geography, physical geography, and technical geography.

What is geography in your own words? ›

Geography is the study of Earth's landscapes, peoples, places, and environments. Eratosthenes is considered the father of geography. Geography is usually broken down into two main categories: physical and cultural. Physical geography studies the natural world.

Who is called the father of geography? ›

Eratosthenes, the ancient Greek scholar is called the 'father of geography. He was the first one to use the word geography and he also had a small-scale notion of the planet that helped him to determine the circumference of the earth. About Eratosthenes: Eratosthenes was multi-talented.

What is geography in a simple sentence? ›

He has very little knowledge of geography. I have been teaching geography for 5 years. He likes geography and history. He has very little knowledge of geography.

What is the first definition of geography? ›

'Geography' derives from the Greek γεωγραφία – geographia, literally "Earth-writing", that is, description or writing about the Earth. The first person to use the word geography was Eratosthenes (276–194 BC).

How to understand geography? ›

To learn geography it is important to learn directions. Because geography is all about directions and maps. As we all know about South, West, East, and North. At times, it feels very easy to learn these directions but when these directions are twisted with longitude and latitude it gets difficult to learn.

What are the 5 meanings of geography? ›

There are five main themes of geography: location, place, human-environment interaction, movement, and region. Collectively, these five themes encompass the whole of the subject of geography.

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