Meaning and branches of Geography
In the morning we see the sky, rain, hills, rivers, fields and villages. The science that studies all of these and their relations is Geography.
Geography is the science that describes the Earth. The English word Geography comes from Greek; ‘geo’ means the Earth and ‘graphia’ means description.
Key idea 1 : What do we study in Geography? — Geography studies natural things on the Earth (hills, rivers, air, soil) and things made by humans (villages, farming, roads, industries). It also looks at how the two affect each other.
Key idea 2 : Two main branches — Physical geography studies nature, while human geography studies people and their activities. According to the topic of study, more sub-branches have been formed from these.
Key idea 3 : Components of study — Lithosphere (land), hydrosphere (water), atmosphere (air), biosphere (living things), population, settlements, economic activities, resources and environment are the main components of Geography. All of them are linked with each other.
- Easy : Study of hills and rivers belongs to which branch? — Physical geography.
- Medium : Study of farming in a village belongs to which branch? — Human geography.
- Exam-type : What does ‘geo’ mean? — Earth.
In the figure: Components of geographic study.
Bhu = Earth, gol = description; nature + people.
Geography is not only the study of the Earth; the relation between people and nature is also part of it.
Memory clue: Geography = nature + people + their relation. Memory clue: "Bhu means Earth, gol means telling".
Spot the difference
| Point | Physical geography | Human geography |
|---|---|---|
| Study of | Hills, rivers, climate | People, villages, farming |
| Made by | Nature | Humans |
| Example | A mountain | A road |
Practice questions
- 1What is Geography?
- 2From where did the word Geography come and what is its meaning?
- 3Which are the two main branches of Geography?
- 4Name four components of Geography.
- 5State the difference between physical and human geography.
- 6Why is geographic study not limited to the Earth only?
- 7Write one natural and one human-made thing of your village.
- 8How are components of Geography linked to each other? Give one example.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1The science that describes the Earth.
- 2From Greek; description of the Earth.
- 3Physical and human geography.
- 4Lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere.
- 5Physical = nature; human = people’s activities.
- 6We also study people, nature and their relation.
- 7Student writes own.
- 8E.g. farming depends on rain and village income depends on crops.
Primary and secondary sources
If you go to a field and see yourself, the information is directly yours. But if you read it in a book, it was collected by someone else. In Geography too there are two kinds of sources of information.
A primary source is information we collect ourselves through actual observation, measurement and records. A secondary source is information already collected, analysed or presented, received through another person, organisation or publication.
Key idea 1 : Primary sources — These include field visits, interviews, surveys, drone images and weather records. The information is original and direct with higher credibility, but it needs more effort and expense.
Key idea 2 : Secondary sources — These include globes, maps, atlases, textbooks, reference books, newspapers, magazines, research journals and satellite images. The information is easily available and saves time and money, but it can be old or from the writer’s point of view.
Key idea 3 : Which source when? — To know the population of a village, counting by going house to house is a primary source; looking at the census report is secondary. For scientific study both are used.
- Easy : A rock sample collected by yourself — primary.
- Medium : A weather news item in a newspaper — secondary.
- Exam-type : A map in an atlas — secondary.
In the figure: Two kinds of sources of information.
Done by yourself = primary; done by others = secondary.
A satellite image or map is not primary just because we see it; it was made by others, so it is a secondary source.
Memory clue: I collected = primary; I read = secondary. Memory clue: "Primary = Pratyaksha (direct)".
Spot the difference
| Point | Primary | Secondary |
|---|---|---|
| Information | Original, direct | Already processed |
| Credibility | Higher | Differs by source |
| Cost and time | More | Less |
Practice questions
- 1What is a primary source?
- 2What is a secondary source?
- 3Write three examples of primary sources.
- 4Write three examples of secondary sources.
- 5Why is information from primary sources more credible?
- 6Write two advantages and one disadvantage of secondary sources.
- 7Which primary and secondary sources will you use to study farming in your taluka?
- 8Write the difference between primary and secondary sources in a table.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Information collected by oneself through observation and measurement.
- 2Information already collected or presented, got from others.
- 3Field visit, interview, survey.
- 4Map, atlas, textbook, newspaper.
- 5The information is original and seen directly by us.
- 6Advantages: easy, cheap; disadvantage: can be old or biased.
- 7Primary: field visit, talking to farmers; secondary: agriculture reports, maps.
- 8Student writes as in the table above.
Use of Geography in daily life
A farmer sows after watching the rain, a traveller decides the road by looking at a map, and doctors see which disease is more in which area. Geography helps many such people.
Geography is not only for school children; it is useful to every part of society: students, teachers, parents, farmers, businessmen, researchers and administration.
Key idea 1 : Use for society — Geography gives farmers weather and soil information, traders transport routes and market information, and administration population and disaster information. So right decisions can be taken.
Key idea 2 : Skills for the learner — When we collect information using maps, field visits and satellite images, the student’s skills of observation and analysis grow. So Geography is a subject to learn by seeing and thinking rather than memorising.
Key idea 3 : Use of Geography in history — Rulers in the past also used geography. Forts, ports and military camps were built and war plans were made after considering hills, valleys, coasts and rivers.
- Easy : Use for a farmer — rain information.
- Medium : Use for a traveller — map.
- Exam-type : Where is a place for the navy? — On the coast.
In the figure: Uses of Geography.
As per the textbook, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj built Swaraj by using geographic knowledge skilfully: guerrilla tactics using hills and valleys, building a navy on the coast and constructing forts (as per the textbook; check with the book).
Fa-Tr-Ad-St.
Geography is not only a subject for memorising; it is learnt by seeing directly and thinking.
Memory clue: Geography = a subject useful for all. Memory clue: "From farmer to commander, Geography for all".
Spot the difference
| Who | For what | Information |
|---|---|---|
| Farmer | Choosing crops | Weather, soil |
| Trader | Sending goods | Roads, ports |
| Administration | Planning | Population, disasters |
Practice questions
- 1To whom is the study of Geography useful?
- 2How is Geography useful to a farmer?
- 3Why does a trader need Geography?
- 4Which skills grow while learning Geography?
- 5How did Shivaji Maharaj use Geography (as per the book)?
- 6Why are forts built on hills and ports on the coast?
- 7How does Geography come in your parents’ work?
- 8Why is learning Geography by seeing better than memorising?
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Students, teachers, parents, farmers, traders, researchers, administration.
- 2It gives weather, soil and rain information.
- 3Roads, ports and markets are understood.
- 4Observation and analysis.
- 5Guerrilla tactics, navy and forts.
- 6Hills give protection; the coast suits ships.
- 7Student writes own.
- 8What is seen directly is understood and remembered better.
Geography Day and field visit
In school we celebrate Independence Day and a tree festival; in the same way we can celebrate Geography Day, learning Geography through games, exhibitions and trips.
A field visit means going to the place of study to observe, interview and make records. It is the most important primary-source method in Geography.
Key idea 1 : How to celebrate Geography Day? — Activities include making geographic models, an exhibition of geographic information, showing documentaries, competitions and quiz, discussions and awareness, and a field visit.
Key idea 2 : Steps of a field visit — First decide the aim of the visit; then list what to see and whom to ask; observe, take photos and make notes on the spot; finally write a report and draw conclusions.
Key idea 3 : Writing the report — The report should state the place name, date, what was seen, what was talked about with people and what we learnt, in simple language. A report written from real observation becomes a primary source.
- Easy : One Geography Day activity — a geographic quiz.
- Medium : First step of a field visit — deciding the aim.
- Exam-type : What do we do after a field visit? — Write a report.
In the figure: Four steps of a field visit.
Aim-List-Note-Report.
A field visit is not just a picnic; observation, notes and a report are necessary.
Memory clue: Aim → list → observe → report. Memory clue: "Aim-List-Note-Report".
Spot the difference
| Activity | What we do | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Models | Make models | Idea becomes clear |
| Quiz | Play questions-answers | Revision happens |
| Field visit | See directly | Get primary data |
Practice questions
- 1What is a field visit?
- 2Write four activities of Geography Day.
- 3Write the steps of a field visit in order.
- 4What should be written in a field-visit report?
- 5Why is a field visit a primary source?
- 6What is the benefit of celebrating Geography Day?
- 7Write a geographic description of one place you have visited.
- 8Prepare a plan of Geography Day for your school.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Going to the place of study for direct observation and notes.
- 2Models, exhibition, documentary, quiz, competitions, field visit.
- 3Aim, list, observation and notes, report.
- 4Place, date, observations, talks, learnings.
- 5We collect information ourselves directly.
- 6Interest in Geography grows and skills improve.
- 7Student writes own.
- 8Student lists activities and writes the plan.