CHAPTER ONE:

THE CONCEPT OF GEOGRAPHY:

MEANING OF GEOGRAPHY:

TOPIC OBJECTIVES;

• Define the term geography
• Explain the inter- relationship between different geographical phenomena.
• Explain the importance of studying geography
• Observe and record geographical phenomena

KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS

1. The term Geography is derived from two Greek words “geo” which means the earth and graphes which means to write about or to describe about. The two words together form Geographia or geography which means description of the earth or a study about how people visualize (form a mental picture) and use the environment.
2. Geography is the scientific study of the distribution of physical and human features on the earth and the interrelationship between them. In geography we study the location of features on the earth’s surface and the actions that bring about these features. We also study the processes that destroy features on the earth’s surface such as soil erosion and mass wasting and human activities such as agriculture, fishing, mining and forestry.
3. The study of the earth, its surroundings and how the elements in it interact with human beings, is what geography is concerned about. Thus, geography deals with the study of the earth, its origin, shape, size, movement and features.
4. Geography is both a natural science and social science subjects. In geography we learn natural phenomena, human activities and the distribution of features in space and their interactions.
5. It describes the physical features of the earth’s surface like mountains, plateaus, plains, valleys, lakes, rivers and seas. It also describes the climate, minerals, wildlife, human activities, soils and natural resources like vegetation.

OUR ENVIRONMENT:

1. Environment is the totality of natural and manmade world including human beings. The things that are found in our environment can be classified as biotic, life support systems and man – made things. The biotic things include humans, other animals and plants. Life support system include water, soil, air, energy and light. Houses, clothes and roads are examples of manmade things. All our surroundings make up our environment.
2. Both plants and animals require water to live. Human beings also require water for domestic and industrial use. Seas, oceans and other large masses of water support living things including fish. Other utilities required by human beings include energy, light, clothes and food. All these are found on our planet called earth.
3. While some utilities occur naturally in some cases, human beings use their knowledge to turn others into more useful resources. For example hydroelectric power is generated from rivers, thermal power is produced from coal and oil, and lately solar energy is tapped from the sun. The clothes we wear are made from materials obtained from our environment, that is cotton, wool and silk. Depending on the temperature, people dress up differently. They put on light clothes made from cotton fibres in hot weather, while in cold places; they use woolen clothes so as to keep themselves warm.

BRANCHES OF GEOGRAPHY:

There are two main branches of Geography.

1. Physical geography
2. Human geography
3. Practical geography.

1. PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

This branch of geography deals with the study of the environment land forms weather and climate, soils and vegetation.

HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

This deals with the study of human activities on the surface of the earth. These activities are caused by exploitation and an attempt to use resources available on earth. It also studies human population aspects like growth, distribution and structure. Transport and communication mining industries, energy, forestry, tourism and fishing are all studied under human geography.

N.B: Bothe physical and human geography have a practical aspect known as practical geography. Practical geography enables learners to practice skills and techniques learnt in class in real life situations. Something important here is map reading, interpreting photographs, analyzing statistical data and carrying out field work. This knowledge and skills are important for students and their future.

IMPORTANCE OF GEOGRAPHY:

Geography is important to the learners in the following ways:-

1. Learners acquire skills of reading maps and interpreting information from their local environment to a global scale.
2. To develop knowledge and skills so as to make informed decisions regarding exploitation of the nation’s natural resources.
3. It teaches knowledge and skills of observing geographical phenomena.
4. To develop knowledge and skills in collecting data and representing geographical information.
5. The knowledge of how and where people live helps in bringing about international understanding which defuses cultural tensions.
6. Knowledge of the environment instills in learners the right attitude towards its conservation and management.
7. To develop knowledge that enables learners to better understand places, maps, photographs and satellite image.
8. Knowledge of geography is useful for learners who wish to become geographers or cartographers.
9. To develop knowledge and skills for national development. Planning national projects like roads, schools and energy resources requires a good understanding of the locations which is a geographical question.

GEOGRAPHY AND OTHER DISCIPLINES:

Geography relates to several other subjects as discussed below:

1. Economic: The production, distribution and consumption of goods and services. The type of economy in a country is influenced by transport, technology, natural resources, level of industrialization, energy production and trade pattern. These subjects are common both in geography and economics.
2. Environment: Physical geographers study how natural systems work, while human geographers deal with the relationship between humans and the environment.
3. History: The study of the origin of the universe sheds some light on the past a subject for historians. Therefore, understanding how the land scape was like in the past helps us understand history better.
4. Agriculture: This is the science or occupation of cultivating land, planting and rearing livestock. Geographers are interested in the types of livestock and crops, areas where they are grown and the conditions for growth. Over 60% of our population is engaged in the agricultural sector.

OTHER DISCIPLINES RELATED TO GEOGRAPHY ARE:

1. Physics
2. Biology
3. Mathematics
4. Chemistry
5. Engineering.

ADDITIONAL POINTS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING GEOGRAPHY:

1. To understand how different land forms are created.
2. To acquire skills and knowledge that can be used for environmental conservation, sustainable managemental problems.
3. To gain scientific techniques of research such as observing, measuring, recording, analyzing, interpreting of phenomena and drawing conclusions.
4. To understand national and international interaction of people and share various ideas of problem solving
5. To enable people to utilize available resources so that they can raise their standard of living.
6. To provide foundation for advanced studies and expand our knowledge of employment opportunities in specialized fields.
7. To enable people to appreciate nature.
8. To be aware of our country and our heritage.