Notes Class 12 Chapter 8 Geography Maharashtra Board

Geography : Nature and Scope

Introduction

Geography is the study of the Earth and everything on it, including physical features (like mountains and rivers) and human activities (like farming and cities). It explores how these elements interact and change over time. You’ve been learning geography since Standard III, starting with simple concepts like directions and progressing to complex ideas like climate and population. This chapter explains what geography is, its branches, skills, and importance.

1. Recalling Geographical Concepts

Geography covers many concepts that can be grouped into categories based on what they relate to. Here’s a table to organize some concepts you’ve studied:

2. What is Geography?

Geography studies the Earth’s surface, its physical features, and human activities. It looks at:

• Physical Features: Mountains, rivers, oceans, climate, soils, and vegetation.
• Human Activities: Settlements, farming, industries, transportation, and culture.
• Interactions: How physical features affect humans and how humans change the environment.

Key Points:

• The Earth’s surface has variations (e.g., hills, plains, deserts).
• Climate, soils, and vegetation influence where people live and what they do.
• Human activities, like building cities or farming, vary from place to place and change over time.

3. Branches of Geography

Geography is divided into two main branches based on its subject matter:

(a) Physical Geography

This branch studies the Earth’s natural features. It includes:

• Lithosphere: Landforms (mountains, plateaus), rocks, soils.
• Hydrosphere: Oceans, rivers, lakes, ocean currents, salinity.
• Atmosphere: Weather, climate, winds, rainfall.
• Biosphere: Vegetation, wildlife, ecosystems, food chains.

Example: Studying why a river changes its course or how climate affects plant growth.

(b) Human Geography

This branch studies human activities and their relationship with the environment. It includes:

• Settlements: Where and how people live (villages, cities).
• Economic Activities: Farming, industries, trade.
• Social and Cultural Features: Languages, religions, traditions.
• Population: Growth, distribution, migration.

Example: Studying why some cities grow faster or how farming depends on climate.

4. Nature of Geography

Geography is a dynamic and scientific subject. Here’s why:

(a) Dynamic Nature

• The Earth is always changing (e.g., weather patterns, population growth).
• Geography studies these changes over space (places) and time (past to present).
• Geographers ask: Where, When, What, and Why?
• Example: Why does a region grow rice? (Due to climate, soil, and market demand.)

(b) Cause and Effect

• Geographers study why things happen and their effects.
• Example: Different crops grow in different regions because of climate, soil, and technology.

(c) Scientific Approach

• Geography uses data, observations, and experiments.
• Tools like surveys, satellite images, and GIS (Geographic Information Systems) help collect and analyze data.

(d) Historical Development

• Early scholars like Hecataeus (6th century BC) described the Earth’s features.
• Ptolemy and Strabo wrote books and drew maps, laying the foundation for modern geography.

5. Dualism in Geography

Geography has contrasting approaches, called dualism. These are different ways to study the subject:

(a) Environmental Determinism vs. Possibilism

• Environmental Determinism: Nature controls human activities (e.g., climate decides what crops grow).
• Possibilism: Humans can overcome natural limits using technology (e.g., growing crops in deserts with irrigation).

(b) Regional vs. Systematic Approach

• Regional Approach: Study all aspects (climate, farming, population) of one region.
• Systematic Approach: Study one aspect (e.g., agriculture) across many regions.

Activity: Discuss in class whether nature or humans have more control over the environment.

6. Skills of a Geographer

Studying geography develops many practical skills:

• Observation: Noticing patterns in nature and human activities.
• Data Collection: Using surveys, photos, and satellite images.
• Data Analysis: Interpreting data with statistical tools.
• Map-Making: Creating and reading maps using GIS and GPS.
• Land Surveying: Measuring land with advanced tools.
• Report Writing: Presenting findings clearly.
• Graph and Map Representation: Showing data visually.

Activity: List the skills you’ve gained from studying geography. Refer to your textbook’s learning objectives.

7. Scope of Geography

Geography connects with many other subjects, making it interdisciplinary. Here’s how:

(a) Connection with Natural Sciences

• Geology: Studying rocks and minerals (links to Geomorphology).
• Meteorology: Studying weather (links to Climatology).
• Hydrology: Studying water bodies (links to Oceanography).
• Pedology: Studying soils (links to Geography of Soils).

(b) Connection with Social Sciences

• Economics: Studying trade, GDP, and resources (links to Economic Geography).
• Sociology: Studying social relations (links to Social Geography).
• Political Science: Studying governments and voting (links to Political Geography).
• History: Studying past events (links to Historical Geography).
• Demography: Studying population (links to Population Geography).

(c) Connection with Mathematics and Technology

• Mathematics: Used for map projections and data analysis.
• Computer Science: Used for GIS, GPS, and data modeling.

Activity: Complete the table below by identifying other subjects that study these concepts:

8. Latest Trends in Geography

Geography is evolving with technology and new methods:

GIS and GPS: Used for mapping and analyzing data.
Computer Modeling: Predicting population growth, climate change, or urbanization.
Apps: Helping with navigation and data collection.
Data Analysis: Using advanced statistics to study patterns.
Sustainable Development: Studying how to use resources without harming the environment.

Example: GIS software helps predict flood-prone areas, and apps like Google Maps use geographic data.

9. Career Opportunities in Geography

Geography offers many career paths, especially when combined with other skills: