explain the place of geographic in classification of the science
Answers
Explanation:
The Science of Geography
The term “Geography” is composed of two Greek words ‘Geo’ meaning Earth and "Graphien" means to write.
To the ancient Greeks Geography was “a Description of the earth”
Geography is the science that studies the relationships among areas, natural systems, cultural activities and the interdependence of all these over space.
Why is Geography unique among all disciplines?
· Its primary concern with how things are distributed on the earth’s surface.
· Its use of graphics (maps, pictures, photography) in its methods of study.
· Its adoption of an interdisciplinary approach to study problems of the earth.
· Geography is not defined by its subject matter (the things it studies) but rather the approaches it takes to study those materials.
Geography is defined by 5 key themes:
1) Place 2) Location 3) Movement
4) Region 5) Human-earth relationships
A bridge between Natural & Social Sciences
The human habitat is made up of:
a) A natural environment comprising natural features: eg. rivers, weather, soils & vegetation and,
b) A cultural environment, consisting of products of human civilization e.g. schools, cities, computers.
(1) Physical Geography: spatial analysis of physical elements and processes that make up the environment. The study focuses on the natural environment (weather, mountains, soil, etc.).
(2) Human Geography studies products of human civilization embodied in our cultural environment.
Earth System Concepts
A system refers to “an organized and interrelated set of things, and their attributes that work together as a unit. The parts are linked by flows of energy and matter.
A system that receives inputs of energy and matter and then outputs materials into surrounding environments is termed: Open System (e.g. systems in human body)
A system that is shut off from the surrounding environment and is self-contained is termed: Closed System (e.g. the earth system).
Feedback: information and other materials that are returned to parts of a system to influence its continuous operation.
Negative feedback: Information that tends to stabilize a system by slowing its rate, or reducing output when its effects are too great (daylight and photosynthesis).
Positive feedback: Information that encourages response and hence stimulates growth in the system (dried shrubs & oxygen and wildfires).
Steady-state equilibrium occurs when rates of inputs and outputs of energy and matter within the system are constant or fluctuate around a stable average.
Earth’s Spheres
Elements on the earth can be grouped into two classes:
a) Biotic elements – the living system including all plants, animals, and micro-organisms.
b) Abiotic elements – the non-living elements of the earth on which living things depend. The are:
1) Atmosphere – the mass of air (gases)
2) Hydrosphere – all forms of water
3) Lithosphere - outer part of the solid earth
4) Biosphere: Interconnected web that links all organisms with the physical environment. The worldwide system within which all life functions.
Explain the place of geographic in classification of the science
- Geography is primarily thought of as a spatial science. It is interested in human spatial behaviour, the observed spatial relationships between locations on the surface of the earth, and the spatial processes that produce or preserve such behaviours and relationships.
- Thus, geography has a lot of potential as a social science. One of the few academic fields that bridges the gap between social science and natural science is geography. Actually, it involves both sciences. As a result, geography is one of the most intricate, comprehensive, and captivating academic fields.
- We can better grasp the processes, movements, and changes of the earth thanks to geography. People who have a solid understanding of geography find it much easier to comprehend contemporary issues like climate change, water supply, natural resources, and more.
- The study of places and the interactions between people and their environs is known as geography. Geographers study the surface of the Earth and the various human societies that live there.
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