What does geography study. What does physical geography as a science study

WHAT DOES GEOGRAPHY STUDY?

Since the deepest antiquity, man has felt the need for geographical, that is, land-descriptive, knowledge. Getting to know one's own country has always been considered mandatory from a purely practical point of view, while the knowledge of other countries was largely dictated by curiosity. But geography as a science for a long time could not rise above the primitive stage of simple data collection. This initial period continued until the obtained data began to be compared with each other and until the corresponding conclusions were drawn from this comparison. When this happened, geography became a true science. But then the question arose about its own method and its place among other previously established sciences. For many generations, man was attracted by one side of geography, then another. Accordingly, the basic concepts of the new science also changed.

Geography is the science of the distribution of objects and phenomena on the surface of the Earth.

The first to use the concept of "geography" (a compound word in which "Ge" means Earth, and "grapho" - description) was the ancient Greek scientist Eratosthenes. He lived in III v. BC. But people had defined geographic questions long before that. The history of geographical knowledge is the record of human efforts to obtain as much scientific and practical information as possible about their environment and the distribution of people across the globe: scientific - in an attempt to explain the observed phenomena with a sufficient degree of certainty (by testing and verification), and practical - in order to use them to make life easier for people in various natural conditions, in order to be able to modify unfavourable conditions environments or even establish control over them.

Curiosity. It all started with him. Nothing prevents us from assuming that among the very first questions that primitive man asked himself were those that related to the properties of his natural environment. Like many other animals, primitive man singled out certain areas of the earth's surface as a territory necessary for his life. And like many other animals, he was constantly tormented by a vague presentiment that, perhaps, in some other places the grass is even greener. Curiosity pushed him to search, gave rise to a desire to find out what was behind the nearest ridge of hills that limited his horizon. But the world that he discovered was imprinted in his mind only narrowly and one-sidedly. Therefore, over a long historical period, people discovered and described many different worlds. Apparently, the ability of a person to observe and generalize the results of observation is unlimited. But along with the improvement of this ability in the mind of a person, the picture of the world created by him also changes, which, however, does not prevent all possible worlds from remaining in reality very different from their descriptions.

The human world includes everything that, being on the surface of the Earth, he can perceive and cognize with the help of his senses. Earth is a medium-sized planet orbiting a medium-sized cosmic "nuclear reactor" that we call the Sun. If you imagine the Sun the size of an orange, then the Earth on the same scale would look like a pinhead about a foot away from it. However, this pinhead is large enough to hold against its surface with the help of gravitational forces. thin film gases called the atmosphere. In addition, the Earth is located at such a distance from the Sun, which in the lower, surface layers of the atmosphere provides a temperature that allows water to be in a liquid state.

The shape of the Earth is close to spherical, but more precisely it is a geoid, a unique figure - a ball “flattened” at the poles.

The “face” of the Earth is a sphere, the depth and height of which from the day surface are determined by the degree of human penetration into it. All sciences and all kinds of art are born from the observations and perceptions of people within this sphere, which personifies the entire human world until the beginning of the Space Age. But this is a very complex world: phenomena are developing in it, due to physical and chemical processes, there are plants and animals - the result of biological processes; man himself lives here, influenced by the natural environment around him and at the same time serving as the cause of the changes taking place in it, which arise in connection with economic, social and political events. All these phenomena and events exist in a complex combination and relationships with each other, forming what is calledgeographical envelope.

The geographic shell is a combination of four interconnected and interpenetrating shells: hydrosphere, atmosphere, lithosphere and biosphere.

main feature The geographic shell is that life exists in it, humanity has arisen and is developing.

Therefore, the interaction of Man and Nature is the most important subject of geographical study. Here I would like to quote the words of B.B. Rodoman: “The existence of geography does not need to be justified by the needs of science and practice. Geography is an established phenomenon of culture; famous landmark of civilization; a pyramid of knowledge and ideas accumulated by mankind; a monument to the people who died exploring the oceans and deserts, so that you can doze off in your chair while flying over the Atlantic or the Sahara. To live a century on Earth and not get acquainted with geography is the same as visiting Egypt without seeing the pyramids, or visiting Moscow without looking at the Kremlin.

Geography is pretty much science for kids. In the era of computers and space flights, it is perceived as a fairy tale. But without fairy tales, there is no childhood.

Geography tells about the childhood of mankind, about how people discovered the Earth. This story is contained not only in the presentation of the history of travel and geographical research, but also in the geographical names left over from the past (Strait of Magellan, Drake Strait, Tasmania Island, Barents Sea, Bering Strait, Cape Chelyuskin, Laptev Sea, Chersky Ridge, etc.. ). Getting acquainted with the Earth, geographical discoveries make for themselves anew every generation.

An educated person should have a holistic view of the Earth, of his country. Love for geography will fill your life with such interesting and multifaceted activities as tourism - a source of personal geographical discoveries, a stimulator of ecological thinking and a disinterested, non-possessive attitude towards the world. Few will become professional geographers, but everyone will have a lot of geographical practice. These are all kinds of forced transfers, and trips for recreation and entertainment, to satisfy curiosity.

Bon Voyage!

Earth is studied by different sciences. Astronomy studies the origin and development of the Earth as a cosmic body. The structure of our planet is studied by geology. Biology cognizes living beings inhabiting the Earth.

Geography is a science that studies the surface of the Earth as an environment where humanity arose and develops.

Rice. 1. The diversity of the earth's surface

Everyone is familiar with the earth's surface. People live on it, run a household, they move along it. The earth's surface is surprisingly diverse (Fig. 1). It consists of many dissimilar sections (elements): continents and oceans, mountains and plains, rivers and lakes. A unique look is given to the earth's surface and what is on it: forests, cities, etc.

The elements of the earth's surface with everything that is located on them are called geographical objects.

studying geographic features, the science of geography answers several questions.

What it is? To study a geographical object, first of all, you need to determine what it is - a lake or a pond, a factory or a school, a ravine or a beam. geographic features can be different origin(Fig. 2).

Rice. 2. Geographic features

Where is it? For geography, it is very important to determine the position of an object on the earth's surface. Its appearance and properties depend on this. For example, people's dwellings in warm and cold regions of the Earth are absolutely different (Fig. 3).

Rice. 3. Addiction appearance objects from their location on the earth's surface

Determine how people have adapted to living in different climates.

What does it look like? The image of a geographical object is its most important characteristic. For many objects, the image is so vivid that a glance is enough to remember them well (Fig. 4).

But for practical purposes, vivid impressions alone are not enough. Therefore, geographical objects are carefully described, defining their main properties. In mountains, this is the height and steepness of the slopes. Rivers have width, depth and speed of flow. Buildings have the area they occupy, height and shape.

Rice. 4. Images of geographical objects

Determine by the contours which geographical objects are shown in the figure.

Studying the earth's surface, people realized that it is constantly changing. Mountains rise and fall, rivers and lakes dry up, cities appear and disappear. So before geography appeared another important question: Why is this happening? Trying to answer it, geography began to study not only geographical objects, but also connections between them, as well as influencing them phenomena and processes(Fig.5). With many of these processes and phenomena we meet constantly, for example, with wind, rain, snow; with others: volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, sea currents - many of us are familiar only in absentia.

Rice. 5. Processes and phenomena affecting geographical objects

Many geographical objects, phenomena and processes that affect them are generated by nature itself and therefore are called natural. But there are also those that arose as a result of human activity. Unlike natural ones, they are called anthropogenic(from the Greek "anthropos" - a person).

Questions and tasks

What is the difference between the study of the Earth by astronomy, geology, biology and geography?
Give examples of natural and man-made geographic features in the area surrounding your school. What objects dominate?

There are many mysteries and interesting phenomena in nature, which are explained by physical geography. Why is it hot in the tropics and extremely cold at the poles? Why does the interior of the continents receive less precipitation than the coasts? How and why does fog form? This science is trying to find answers to all these questions.

What does physical geography study? What is its structure? What directions can be distinguished in its modern research? This will be discussed in the article.

What does physical geography study? Definition of science

Physical geography is one of the natural scientific disciplines, and is part of general geography. It deals with numerous problems of the structure and functioning of the so-called Earth.

What does physical geography study today? The circle of interests of this science includes the structure, formation, and also the dynamics of the functioning of various natural-territorial complexes. The most important task of physical geography on present stage is to find rational ways to use natural conditions and human resources.

Physical geography originated in the 4th century BC. But only after the major expeditions and voyages of Columbus, Magellan, Marco Polo, mankind realized the importance of this science. It does not lose its relevance even today, when, it would seem, our planet has already been sufficiently studied.

Objects of physical geography and directions of its research

Among the main objects of study of this science, the following should be distinguished:

geological structure;
relief;
inland waters;
the climate of the territories;
inland waters;
flora and fauna (in particular, their distribution over the surface of the planet);
landscapes;
natural areas etc.

The main areas of research in physical geography include:

patterns of formation and development of the geographic shell of the Earth, natural territorial complexes;
theoretical as well as practical problems of geophysics and geochemistry of landscapes;
problems of landscape zoning of territories, as well as landscape typology;
methods and principles of studying the geographic shell and its individual components.

System of physical and geographical sciences

Physical geography is usually divided into three major sections. This:

1. General geography (studies general patterns in the structure and development of the geographic envelope of the planet).

2. Physical geography of continents and oceans (studies the nature of the world's largest natural complexes - continents and oceans).

3. Landscape science (studies geosystems at the regional or local level).

In general, the system of physical geographical sciences included whole line various scientific disciplines. Among them are geomorphology, climatology, meteorology, hydrology and hydrography, paleogeography, oceanology, soil science, biogeography, glaciology and others.

Physical geography as an academic discipline

Where and how is physical geography studied? The initial course of this science is taught in schools (as a compulsory subject), as well as in colleges and universities. In particular, the school studies the general physical geography of the world, the geography of continents and oceans, as well as the physical geography of Russia.

Geography faculties and departments have been established at many universities in Russia and Europe. V developed countries interest in this science is only growing. The study of physical geography at the university is not only lectures and seminars, but also interesting practical exercises, exciting excursions and hikes, field research.

Geography graduates find jobs in the most different areas and industries. And this is not only work "in the field", the search for new oil fields or the conduct of meteorological observations. Tourism, pedagogy, production of goods, cartography - these are far from full list areas of activity in which a graduate geographer can find application.

Finally…

Now you know what physical geography studies. The objects of research for this science are: relief and soils, climate and minerals, vegetable world, landscapes and natural areas of the continents.

The structure of physical geography is represented by three major sections. These are general geography, geography of continents and oceans, and landscape science.

Geography is a very unusual science that arose not in the silence of temples and monasteries and not in the dungeons of ancient laboratories. It appeared in antiquity, in the thick of life. And it was created not by priests, not by monks and not by scientists, but by those who, for one reason or another, set off on their journey - sailors and merchants, diplomats and missionaries, warriors and naturalists. It was they who paved paths into the unknown, describing the lands they encountered.

Translated from Greek, "geography" means "description of the earth", and in this word there is an answer to the question of what geography studies. She originated from urgent need. Rulers wanted to know how their countries and other states worked, merchants needed to explore new trade routes, and sailors tried to find new sea routes. That is why the first geographers were people of rather unusual professions that were completely far from science.

Years and centuries passed, and in geography, as in every science, specialization appeared. Having completed the accumulation of material, scientists-geographers took up its analysis and synthesis, proceeded to study the patterns of development of nature. Modern physical geographers are engaged not only in describing the terrain, they study not only outside phenomena, but also delve into their essence, seek to study the relationship and understand the causes of natural processes occurring in each locality.

In principle, this explains what physical geography studies. This is a science that studies the geographic shell of the Earth and its structural parts. So, for example, if we remember that the continents are part of the geographical shell, it becomes clear what the geography of the continents studies.

There are three main sciences in the composition of physical geography. This is geography, which studies the general patterns of the structure and development of the geographical shell, landscape science, which studies territorial natural complexes, and paleogeography. In turn, these sections have their own hierarchical structure according to the types of components, processes and phenomena being studied. Thus, individual components of the geographic envelope are studied by geomorphology, climatology, meteorology, hydrology, glaciology, soil geography, and biogeography. And at the junction with other sciences, such new areas of physical geography as medical geography and engineering geography were formed.

Physical geography is closely related to other geographical sciences - cartography, regional studies, historical geography, socio-economic geography.

Modern physical geography Special attention devotes to the study of structure and dynamics various systems, their origin, the processes of energy and mass transfer between the components of the physical shell of the Earth, the circulation of substances and energy flows, the development forecast.

The methods that physical geographers use in their research are varied. This and traditional methods, such as expeditionary descriptive, comparative geographical, cartographic and descriptive. But scientists also came to the aid of methods based on the achievements of other sciences - mathematical, geophysical, geochemical.

The fascinating subject of geography is scientific direction that studies the earth's surface, oceans and seas, the environment and ecosystems, and the interaction between human society and the environment. The word geography literally translated from ancient Greek means "description of the earth." The following is a general definition of the term geography:

"Geography is a system of scientific knowledge that studies physical features Earth and environment including the impact of human activities on these factors, and vice versa. The subject also covers patterns of population distribution, land use, availability and production.

Scholars who study geography are known as geographers. These people are engaged in the study of the natural environment of our planet and human society. Although the cartographers of the ancient world were known as geographers, today it is a relatively independent specialty. Geographers tend to focus on two main areas of geographical study: physical geography and human geography.

History of the development of geography

The term "geography" was coined by the ancient Greeks, who not only created detailed maps the surrounding area, and also explained the difference between people and natural landscapes in different places Earth. Over time, the rich heritage of geography has taken a fateful journey into the bright Islamic minds. The golden age of Islam witnessed astonishing achievements in the field of geographical sciences. Islamic geographers became famous for their pioneering discoveries. New lands were explored and the first base grid for the map system was developed. Chinese civilization also instrumentally contributed to the development of early geography. The compass developed by the Chinese was used by explorers to explore the unknown.

A new chapter in the history of science begins with the period of great geographical discoveries, a period coinciding with the European Renaissance. V European world awakened a fresh interest in geography. Marco Polo - Venetian merchant and traveler led this new era of exploration. Commercial interests in establishing trade contacts with the rich civilizations of Asia, such as China and India, became the main incentive for travel at that time. Europeans moved forward in all directions, discovering new lands, unique cultures and . The great potential of geography for shaping the future of human civilization was recognized, and in the 18th century, it was introduced as a major discipline at the university level. Relying on geographical knowledge, people began to discover new ways and means to overcome the difficulties generated by nature, which led to the prosperity of human civilization in all corners of the world. In the 20th century, aerial photography, satellite technology, computerized systems, and sophisticated software radically changed science and made the study of geography more complete and detailed.

Branches of geography

Geography can be considered as an interdisciplinary science. The subject includes a transdisciplinary approach, which allows you to observe and analyze objects in the space of the Earth, as well as develop solutions to problems based on this analysis. The discipline of geography can be divided into several areas of scientific research. The primary classification geography divides the approach to the subject into two broad categories: physical geography and socio-economic geography.

Physical geography

is defined as a branch of geography that includes the study of natural objects and phenomena (or processes) on Earth.

Physical geography is further subdivided into the following branches:

Geomorphology: engaged in the study of topographic and bathymetric features of the Earth's surface. Science helps to elucidate various aspects related to landforms, such as their history and dynamics. Geomorphology also tries to predict future changes physical characteristics external appearance of the earth.
Glaciology: a branch of physical geography that studies the relationship between the dynamics of glaciers and their impact on the ecology of the planet. Thus, glaciology involves the study of the cryosphere, including alpine and continental glaciers. Glacial geology, snow hydrology, etc. are some subdisciplines of glaciological research.
Oceanography: Since the oceans contain 96.5% of all water on Earth, the specialized discipline of oceanography is devoted to their study. The science of oceanography includes geological oceanography (the study of the geological aspects of the ocean floor, seamounts, volcanoes, etc.), biological oceanography (the study of marine life, fauna and ecosystems of the ocean), chemical oceanography (the study chemical composition sea waters and their impact on marine life forms), physical oceanography (the study of ocean movements such as waves, currents, tides).
Hydrology: another important branch of physical geography, dealing with the study of the properties and dynamics of the movement of water in relation to land. It explores the rivers, lakes, glaciers and underground aquifers of the planet. Hydrology studies the continuous movement of water from one source to another, above and below the surface of the Earth, through.
Soil science: branch of science that studies different types soils in their natural environment on the Earth's surface. Helps to collect information and knowledge about the process of formation (pedogenesis), composition, texture and classification of soils.
: an indispensable discipline of physical geography that studies the dispersal of living organisms in the geographic space of the planet. It also studies the distribution of species over geological time periods. Each geographic region has its own unique ecosystems, and biogeography explores and explains their relationship to physical geographic features. There are various branches of biogeography: zoogeography (the geographical distribution of animals), phytogeography (the geographical distribution of plants), island biogeography (the study of factors affecting individual ecosystems), etc.
Paleogeography: branch of physical geography that studies geographical features at different points in the earth's geological history. Science helps geographers gain information about continental positions and plate tectonics as determined by studying paleomagnetism and fossil records.
Climatology: Scientific research climate, as well as the most important section of geographical research in modern world. Considers all aspects related to micro or local climate as well as macro or global climate. Climatology also includes the study of the influence of human society on climate, and vice versa.
Meteorology: deals with the study of weather conditions, atmospheric processes and phenomena that affect local and global weather.
Ecological geography: explores the interaction between people (individuals or society) and their natural environment from a spatial point of view.
Coastal geography: a specialized field of physical geography that also includes the study of socio-economic geography. It is devoted to the study of the dynamic interaction between the coastal zone and the sea. Physical processes that form coasts and the influence of the sea on landscape change. The study also involves understanding the impacts of coastal dwellers on the topography and ecosystem of the coast.
Quaternary geology: a highly specialized branch of physical geography dealing with the study of the Quaternary period of the Earth (geographical history of the Earth, covering the last 2.6 million years). This allows geographers to learn about the environmental changes that have taken place in the recent past of the planet. Knowledge is used as a tool to predict future changes in the world's environment.
Geomatics: the technical branch of physical geography that involves the collection, analysis, interpretation, and storage of data about the earth's surface.
landscape ecology: a science that studies the influence of various landscapes of the Earth on the ecological processes and ecosystems of the planet.

Human geography

Human geography, or socio-economic geography, is a branch of geography that studies the impact of the environment on human society and the earth's surface, as well as the impact of anthropogenic activities on the planet. Socio-economic geography is focused on the study of the most developed creatures in the world from an evolutionary point of view - people and their environment.

This branch of geography is divided into various disciplines depending on the direction of research:

Geography population: deals with the study of how nature determines the distribution, growth, composition, lifestyle and migration of human populations.
Historical geography: explains the change and development of geographical phenomena over time. While this section is seen as a branch of human geography, it also focuses on certain aspects of physical geography. Historical geography tries to understand why, how and when places and regions of the Earth change, as well as what impact they have on human society.
Cultural geography: explores how and why cultural preferences and norms change across spaces and places. Thus, it is concerned with the study of the spatial variations of human cultures, including religion, language, livelihood choices, politics, and so on.
Economical geography: the most important section of socio-economic geography, covering the study of the location, distribution and organization of human economic activity in geographic space.
Political geography: considers the political boundaries of the countries of the world and the division between countries. She also studies how spatial structures influence political functions, and vice versa. Military geography, electoral geography, geopolitics are some of the sub-disciplines of political geography.
Geography of health: explores the impact of geographic location on the health and well-being of people.
Social geography: studies the quality and standard of living of the human population of the world and tries to understand how and why such standards change depending on place and space.
Geography of settlements: deals with the study of urban and rural settlements, economic structure, infrastructure, etc., as well as the dynamics of human settlement in relation to space and time.
Geography of animals: studies animal world Earth and interdependence between humans and animals.

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