Chapter 1: Geography as a Discipline
Geography - Fundamental of Physical Geography • Class 11
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Chapter Analysis
Intermediate11 pages • EnglishQuick Summary
The chapter 'Geography as a Discipline' introduces geography as a field that bridges natural and social sciences while focusing on spatial attributes. It explains geography's role in understanding human-environment interactions, and highlights the importance of both systematic and regional approaches. Various branches such as physical, human, and environmental geography are detailed, showcasing the discipline's scope. Additionally, the integration of technology such as GIS and GPS in geography is discussed as an enhancement to understanding spatial data.
Key Topics
- •Geography as an integrating discipline
- •Branches of geography: systematic and regional
- •Physical geography: lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere
- •Human-environment interaction
- •Technological impact on geographic studies
- •Geographical phenomena and spatial attributes
Learning Objectives
- ✓Understand geography as both a natural and social science
- ✓Examine the branches of geography and their significance
- ✓Learn about the role of technology in geographic analysis
- ✓Explore the interaction between human activities and physical environment
- ✓Develop a spatial perspective on global phenomena
- ✓Gain insights into how geography influences history and cultural development
Questions in Chapter
Which one of the following scholars coined the term 'Geography'?
Answer: Erathosthenese
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Which one of the following features can be termed as ‘physical feature’?
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Make correct pairs from the following two columns and mark the correct option.
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Which one of the following questions is related to cause-effect relationship?
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Which one of the following disciplines attempts temporal synthesis?
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What important cultural features do you observe while going to school? Are they similar or dissimilar? Should they be included in the study of geography or not? If yes, why?
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You have seen a tennis ball, a cricket ball, an orange and a pumpkin. Which one amongst these resembles the shape of the earth? Why have you chosen this particular item to describe the shape of the earth?
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Do you celebrate Van Mahotsava in your school? Why do we plant so many trees? How do the trees maintain ecological balance?
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You have seen elephants, deer, earthworms, trees and grasses. Where do they live or grow? What is the name given to this sphere? Can you describe some of the important features of this sphere?
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How much time do you take to reach your school from your house? Had the school been located across the road from your house, how much time would you have taken to reach school? What is the effect of the distance between your residence and the school on the time taken in commuting? Can you convert time into space and vice versa?
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You observe every day in your surroundings that there is variation in natural as well as cultural phenomena. All the trees are not of the same variety. All the birds and animals you see, are different. All these different elements are found on the earth. Can you now argue that geography is the study of 'areal differentiation'?
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You have already studied geography, history, civics and economics as parts of social studies. Attempt an integration of these disciplines highlighting their interface.
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Additional Practice Questions
What is the significance of technology in the study of geography?
mediumAnswer: Technology, such as GIS and GPS, enhances the ability to gather precise spatial data, enables complex analysis, and significantly improves the understanding of spatial phenomena. These tools allow geographers to handle large data sets and model geographical phenomena accurately.
Explain the difference between systematic and regional geography.
mediumAnswer: Systematic geography focuses on individual geographical phenomena globally and then identifies typologies, while regional geography divides the world into regions and studies all phenomena within that region holistically.
Discuss the impact of geography on historical events.
hardAnswer: Geography has influenced historical events by providing strategic advantages, like natural barriers for defense (e.g., the Himalayas) or access routes like seas for trade and conquest, altering political and cultural landscapes.
What roles do physical geography play in economic development?
mediumAnswer: Physical geography determines the distribution and availability of natural resources, influences agricultural conditions and patterns, and can affect industry locations based on terrain and climate conditions.
Why is understanding the relationship between physical environment and culture important in geography?
hardAnswer: This understanding helps in comprehending how human societies adapt and modify the environment, influence cultural development, and ensure sustainable utilization of resources, aiding in long-term planning.