CLASS- XI
FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
CHAPTER-1: Geography as a Discipline
➢ Introduction
The term geography was first coined by Eratosthenes, a Greek scholar (276-194
B.C). The word has been derived from tow roots from Greek language geo (earth)
and graphos (description). Put together they mean description of the earth.
❖ Geography is concerned with the description and explanation of the areal
differentiation of the earth surface.
By- Richard Hartshorne
❖ Geography studies the difference of phenomena usually related in different parts
of the earth’s surface.
By-Hettner
• The earth has always been seen as the abode of human beings and thus scholars
defined geography as “the description of the earth as the abode of human
beings.
• The earth’s surface is not uniform. It has variations in its physical features.
There are mountain, hills, Valley, Plain, Plateau, Desert and Wilderness.
• Geography is different from other science in its subject matter and methodology
but at the same time it is closely related to other disciplines.
• The geographical phenomena both the physical and human are not static but
highly dynamic. They change over time as a result of the interactive process
between even changing earth and untiring and ever-active human beings.
• The interaction between the physical environment and human beings has been
vary succinctly described by a poet in the following dialogue between; human
and nature’(God).
• With the help of technology, human being moved from the stage of necessity to
a stage of freedom. They have put their imprint everywhere and created ne
possibilities in collaboration with nature.
• The links (routes) and modes (settlements) of all types integrated the space and
gradually it got organised. As a social science, discipline, geography studies the
‘spatial organisation’ and ‘spatial integration’.
1|P age
, ➢ Geography as an Integrating Discipline
• Geography as a discipline of synthesis. It attempts spatial synthesis and history
attempts temporal synthesis.
• The distance have been reduced by better means of transportation increasing
accessibility.
• Geography as an integrating discipline has interface with numerous natural and
social science. All the science whether natural or social have one basic objective
of understanding the reality.
• Geography helps in understanding the reality in totality in its spatial perspective.
• In India, Himalayas have acted as great barriers and provided protection but
passes provided routes to the migrants and involves from Central Asia.
• The sea coast has encouraged contact with people from East and Southeast Asia,
Europe and Africa.
• Navigation technology helped European countries to colonise a number of
countries to colonise a number of country of Asia and Africa including India as
they got accessibility through oceans.
➢ Geographers plays an important role for a country? How
a) Geographers are important for any country because:
i. They study the variations and association of the features an the earth surface
e.g.- cropping pattern differ from place to place and it is due to difference in
the climate, soil, demand etc.
ii. He helps in predict climate.
iii. He helps in handling natural calamities.
iv. A geographer also studies the cause-and-effect relationship.
v. The interaction between man and nature is highly dynamic and not static; so
it is also called as the study of the relation between unstable earth and
untrusting man.
2|P age
FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
CHAPTER-1: Geography as a Discipline
➢ Introduction
The term geography was first coined by Eratosthenes, a Greek scholar (276-194
B.C). The word has been derived from tow roots from Greek language geo (earth)
and graphos (description). Put together they mean description of the earth.
❖ Geography is concerned with the description and explanation of the areal
differentiation of the earth surface.
By- Richard Hartshorne
❖ Geography studies the difference of phenomena usually related in different parts
of the earth’s surface.
By-Hettner
• The earth has always been seen as the abode of human beings and thus scholars
defined geography as “the description of the earth as the abode of human
beings.
• The earth’s surface is not uniform. It has variations in its physical features.
There are mountain, hills, Valley, Plain, Plateau, Desert and Wilderness.
• Geography is different from other science in its subject matter and methodology
but at the same time it is closely related to other disciplines.
• The geographical phenomena both the physical and human are not static but
highly dynamic. They change over time as a result of the interactive process
between even changing earth and untiring and ever-active human beings.
• The interaction between the physical environment and human beings has been
vary succinctly described by a poet in the following dialogue between; human
and nature’(God).
• With the help of technology, human being moved from the stage of necessity to
a stage of freedom. They have put their imprint everywhere and created ne
possibilities in collaboration with nature.
• The links (routes) and modes (settlements) of all types integrated the space and
gradually it got organised. As a social science, discipline, geography studies the
‘spatial organisation’ and ‘spatial integration’.
1|P age
, ➢ Geography as an Integrating Discipline
• Geography as a discipline of synthesis. It attempts spatial synthesis and history
attempts temporal synthesis.
• The distance have been reduced by better means of transportation increasing
accessibility.
• Geography as an integrating discipline has interface with numerous natural and
social science. All the science whether natural or social have one basic objective
of understanding the reality.
• Geography helps in understanding the reality in totality in its spatial perspective.
• In India, Himalayas have acted as great barriers and provided protection but
passes provided routes to the migrants and involves from Central Asia.
• The sea coast has encouraged contact with people from East and Southeast Asia,
Europe and Africa.
• Navigation technology helped European countries to colonise a number of
countries to colonise a number of country of Asia and Africa including India as
they got accessibility through oceans.
➢ Geographers plays an important role for a country? How
a) Geographers are important for any country because:
i. They study the variations and association of the features an the earth surface
e.g.- cropping pattern differ from place to place and it is due to difference in
the climate, soil, demand etc.
ii. He helps in predict climate.
iii. He helps in handling natural calamities.
iv. A geographer also studies the cause-and-effect relationship.
v. The interaction between man and nature is highly dynamic and not static; so
it is also called as the study of the relation between unstable earth and
untrusting man.
2|P age
