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DAILY
CLASS NOTES
Saksham BPSC
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
Lecture – 01
General Geography
Saksham BPSC
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General Geography
Syllabus:-
World Geography:-
❖ Physical Geography:-
➢ Geomorphology
➢ Climatology
➢ Oceanography
➢ Padeology (Soil)
❖ Human Geography
❖ Economic Geography:- Resources, Minerals, Energy, etc.
❖ Continents and Oceans (Mapping)
Indian Geography:-
❖ Basic Information
❖ Physical classification
❖ River System
❖ Climate
❖ Vegetation
❖ Soil
❖ Resources and Minerals
Introduction:-
❖ Geography is made up of two Greek words, Geo (Earth) and Graphos (Description),
which means Study of earth.
❖ Eratosthenes is known as the "Father of Geography".
❖ Definition of geography is proposed by various thinkers. Some important definitions
are as follows :
➢ Immanuel Kant:- Geography is the science in which the part of the Earth, which
is the home of the humans, is studied.
➢ Monk House:- According to the Monkhouse Geography is the study of Earth
surface with its regional Variations as human habitation.
Classification of geography:-
❖ It can be classified into two types :
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➢ Physical Geography:- It delves into the science behind Earth's natural
environment. This encompasses landforms like mountains, rivers, and deserts;
atmospheric phenomena like weather and climate; and the composition of the
planet itself, including its oceans and biomes.
➢ Human geography:- It shifts the focus to the human element on Earth. It
examines cultures, societies, populations, and their intricate dance with the
physical environment. Human geographers explore how location, resources, and
environmental factors influence settlements, economies, political systems, and
even cultural practices.
❖ Further it can also be classified in two types on the basis of approach:-
➢ World geography:- World geography offers a broad perspective, examining the
Earth's entire landmass and its diverse regions. It delves into the overarching
themes and processes that shape our planet, encompassing continents, oceans,
countries, and their intricate relationships.
➢ Indian geography:- Indian geography zooms in on the specific features of the
Indian subcontinent. It delves deeper into the unique interplay of physical and
human characteristics that define India.
Importance of Geography:-
❖ Understanding Our Planet
❖ Geography acts as a window to the world's rich tapestry of cultures.
❖ Geographical knowledge empowers us to make informed decisions on a personal and
global scale.
❖ Geography fosters a global perspective, encouraging us to think beyond borders and
recognize the interconnectedness of our world.
Relationship of geography with other physical sciences:-
❖ Astronomy:- In the past, geographers relied heavily on celestial bodies like stars and
planets for navigation. By understanding their positions and movements, explorers
could determine their location on Earth. The observation of celestial bodies also
helped determine the Earth's rotation and shape.
❖ Mathematics:- Geography relies heavily on mathematics for spatial analysis.
Concepts like geometry, trigonometry, and statistics are crucial for tasks like map
projections, calculating distances and areas, analysing spatial patterns of data (e.g.,
population distribution), and creating geographic information systems (GIS).
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❖ Geology:- Geographers rely on geological knowledge to understand how mountains
form, valleys erode, and plains develop. This knowledge sheds light on the
distribution of these features and their influence on human activities. Geology also
plays a crucial role in understanding the distribution of Earth's resources.
❖ Climatology:- Climatology, the study of Earth's climate, is deeply intertwined with
geography. Geographers analyse how climate patterns like temperature,
precipitation, and wind influence landscapes, vegetation, and human settlements.
They also study the impact of climate change on geographical phenomena.
❖ Hydrology:- Hydrology focuses on the study of water on Earth, including its
distribution, movement, and properties. Geographers use hydrological data to
understand how rivers, lakes, and groundwater systems interact with the landscape
and influence human activities like agriculture and water management.
❖ Zoology and Botany:- It is also called biogeography. It is concerned with the study
of biological phenomena of a place, especially the distribution of various types of
flora and fauna. Biogeography can be sub-divided into plant or vegetable geography,
animal geography and human ecology.
❖ Pedology:- Pedology helps geographers understand the composition, formation, and
distribution of different soil types. This knowledge is crucial for studying land use
patterns, agricultural potential, and the impact of human activities on soil quality.
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