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1 Intro World Reg Geog 05
1 Intro World Reg Geog 05
1 Intro World Reg Geog 05
Regional Geography
Study of Geography
Evolution of Geography
Contributions of the Greeks/Romans
– geo (the earth) graphos (to write about/describe)
– Herodotus-”Father of Geography” who explained the
physical and human geography of his day
– Aristotle- explained processes of the earth, influence of
temperature, wind, soils and vulcanism
– Eratosthenes- measured circumference of the earth
from angle of the sun at two points
– Construction of earth grids- longitude and latitude
– Established the science of cartography
– Ptolemy-Greek astronomer who designed early map of the
world.
– Strabo- description of Roman World, spatial perspective
of the known world
Middle Ages
– Geography falls into disrepute in Middle Ages
– Golden Age of Islamic Civilization
– Arabs were outstanding geographers, continued tradition of
map-making
– Ibn Batuta travels throughout Middle East, observations
of peoples and lands
– Avicenna’s understanding of physical geography, creation
of mountains
– Ibn Khaldun’s Muqaddimah provides an account of the
influence of man’ physical environment on social and political
institutions
– observations are model of scientific research on history and
geography
– traveled extensively throughout North Africa and Middle East
– importance of cities and urbanization on the level of civilization.
Ptolemy's World Map, circa 150 A.D.
Ibn Battuta’s Travels 1300 AD
Ibn Battuta’s travels 1300 A.D.
Renaissance and Age of Discovery
– Resurgence of geography as a science
– Prince Henry the Navigator of Portugal, new more
accurate maps
– Early explores question old concepts in light of discovery
– Scientific travelers, Alexander von Humbolt’s description
of the earth
– Karl Ritter- understanding of the human dimension of the
world
– Geography is respected branch of knowledge in European
university, particularly in Germany
– Importance of the National Geographic Society in US
founded in 1888
– Chinese contributions to geography
World Regional Geography
– Different fields of Geography