GEOGRAPHY AND

NATURAL RESOURCES
Course Title
THE NATURE AND
IMPORTANCE OF
GEOGRAPHY
Unit 1
THE CONCEPT OF
GEOGRAPHY
Lesson 1
Geography
■ from the two Greek words “geo” which
means “earth” and “graphein” which
means “to write” or “to draw.”
■ means “to write about the earth” or “earth
description.”
Geography
■ The description and explanation of the
earth’s landscapes and a scientific
description of inhabited landscapes and
their description over the globe.
(Longmans, 1965)
Geography
■ The study of spatial relationships, whose
subject matter includes physical, biotic,
and societal elements and focuses on the
distribution and relationships of
phenomena according to places.
■ (Leonard Clark, 1973)
Geography
■ The accurate, orderly and rational
description and interpretation of the
variable character of the earth’s surface.
(Yeung Yue Man, 1973)
Geography
■ The science of the earth and its life, dealing
with land, sea, and air conditions; the
distribution of plant and animal life
especially with man and his industries.
(John W. Frazier, 1982)
Geography
■ The collection of facts intended to give a
complete picture of a continent, a state, or
a region.
(James Rubenstein, 1989)
Geography
■ Study of distribution of phenomena, how
that distribution came about, and the
significance of that distribution to an
understanding of the world.
(McKnight, 1990)
Geography
■ The study of locations and distributions of
phenomena on earth’s surface; the reasons
or causes behind these distributions, and
predictions on how and why changes will
take place.
(De Blij and Muller, 1992)
 THREE MAIN TYPES OF
DEFINITIONS AND
CONCEPTS OF GEOGRAPHY
Synthetical Geography
■ Uses analysis and synthesis.
■ Here, the first and the foremost important task of the
geographer is to show all aspects, facets, of a subject or
problem under study.
■ It presents a complete picture of any geographic problem be
it physical, social, political, or economic and analyzes the
relations between phenomena such as climate, soils,
rainfalls, habitats, and ways of life.
■ It puts together facts to form a whole picture which will
establish the interdependence and interaction of
phenomena and geographic facts.
Spatial Relations of Phenomena
■ All phenomena on the Earth’s surface occupy places or
location
■ Geographer’s concern is to focus its attention on
localization or placement of phenomena. To carry this out,
maps are needed.
■ Map study is a vital part of geography to locate places and
study the location and phenomena.
■ In short, the relations between and among the phenomena
present in a given space are described and studied.
Science of Land Use
■ Man uses land for his benefit and welfare.
■ He has appropriated this piece of land, parceled it
out, developed it, cleared the ground, dug canals,
and selected sites for farms, factories, village, towns,
and cities.
■ He has used this piece of land for farming, fishing,
herding, manufacturing, and for his study of land
use is the focus of this scientific study.
 SUMMARY
■ Geography is the study of Earth as the home
of present-day human beings; it is a scientific
description of the surface of earth, especially
as these features affect human activities.
■ It is concerned with the environment as it
provides a home for humankind and the way
that humans utilize that environmental home.
 Study Guide
1. Which of the definitions of geography is best
for you? Why?
2. Based on the definitions and concepts of
geography given above, formulate your own
definition of geography.
IMPORTANCE OF
GEOGRAPHY
 Importance of Geography

■ Geographic knowledge can benefit the analysis of

problems of environmental degradation (global
warming, ozone depletion, acid rain,
desertification, rainforest destruction, waste
accumulation, fresh water scarcity) rational use of
natural resources, the resettlement of refugees
from war-torn nations, and political repression and
terrorism.
 Importance of Geography

■ A good geographic education provides the

perspectives, information, concepts, and skills
to understand ourselves, our relations, to the
earth, and our interdependence with other
people of the world.
■ Geographic study is not merely useful---it is
crucial.
 Importance of Geography

■ It presents information and facts about the

world; it introduces and reinforces the
concepts of location, places, relationships and
movement between and among places and
the religion.
 Importance of Geography

■ Geography examines values and attitudes

toward environments and sharpens intellectual
and practice skills.
 Importance of Geography

■ It provides students of all ages with a balances

appreciation of world problems and perhaps to
moderate their youth enthusiasm for certain
exploits such as those in space travel. This is
significant at a time when millions of human
beings are crying out for a life worthier for our age.
Geography will thus instill in the young the valuable
idea for solidarity which could exist between all
men, called international understanding.
Thank you!