Write the meaning and nature of Geography

by Yuvi - August 2, 2021

The meaning and nature of Geography.

Meaning of Geography

Initially, geography (geo + graphy = earth + to describe) was relegated to being a description of the earth and its nature alone. Later, however, geographers started defining geography keeping in mind man’s influence on the earth and vice-versa.

Macnae: “Geography is the study of the earth as the home of man or it is the study of the environment of man, physical and social particularly in its relation to human activities.”

Prof. I. Fairgrieve’s most recent definition: “Geography is the science which treats the relation between the earth and man.”

Nature of Geography

The polymath Humboldt established that Geography cuts a section across all systematic sciences.

However, this overlapping does not mean that Geography is a jumbled mass of pieces of the systematic sciences. On the contrary, it integrates these pieces as per its distinct chorographic point of view.

Experts are the prerequisite to study systematic sciences whereas geography may be studied by anyone who has the chance to travel and the ability to describe well what he sees.

But it is essential that every geographer must know the limits and boundaries of his subject so that he does not digress into the domain of other sciences.