Geography
Geography is a multifaceted field of science that examines both the physical and cultural features of the Earth. Modern geography extends beyond traditional mapping to explore the intricate relationships between human cultures and their environments. This discipline encompasses the study of various landforms, including canyons, mountains, and valleys, as well as the unique characteristics that define specific places, such as cities and regions.
In educational contexts, geography is often guided by the National Geography Standards, which were developed to establish clear learning objectives for students. These standards are organized into six essential elements: spatial terms, places and regions, physical systems, human systems, environment and society, and the uses of geography. Each of these elements encourages a deeper understanding of how the Earth's features and human interactions shape our world.
For example, spatial thinking allows individuals to visualize the organization of people and places, while the study of physical systems examines the processes that create ecosystems. Human systems explore the demographics and economic connections among populations. Additionally, the interaction between humans and their environment is analyzed to understand the impacts of human activities, both positive and negative. Ultimately, the field of geography provides valuable insights into our planet and the diverse cultures that inhabit it.
Geography
Geography is a field of science dedicated to the study of the physical and cultural features of Earth. Although geography was once a more limited discipline that dealt mainly with mapping the planet, that is no longer the case. Modern geographers study a broad range of topics. While they are still interested in mapping the surface of Earth, they also study human culture and the relationships that exist between people and the environment around them.
Overview
Geography is a science that students learn about in school. Most schools choose to use the National Geography Standards as a knowledge framework for teaching students about this subject. The Geography Education National Implementation Project (GENIP) developed the National Geography Standards in 1994 and updated them in 2012. Schools are not required to use these standards, but many teach them because they provide clear learning goals for students. They help teachers and parents to understand what students should know and be able to do at the end of a unit of study or school year.
The National Geography Standards consist of 18 academic standards divided into six categories referred to as essential elements. These standards are meant to show what a “geographically informed person” should know and understand about the subject. The six essential elements include: the world in spatial terms; places and regions; physical systems; human systems; environment and society; and the uses of geography.
The World in Spatial Terms
The first essential element requires students to study the spatial relationships among people and places through maps and other technologies. Spatial means related to a position in space. Looking at the world spatially helps students to visualize how people, places, and environments are organized. Developing spatial thinking skills means learning to read maps and other graphical representations of surface areas. Graphical representations typically used in this study area include globes, graphs, diagrams, and aerial and satellite images. Each of these representations helps students to look at Earth’s spatial patterns in a different way.
National Geography Standards 1, 2, and 3 belong to this category.
Places and Regions
The second essential element involves studying the relationship among people, places, and regions. Place is a term used to describe a location with unique characteristics. Places are generally named locations with specific features. Examples of places include neighborhoods, villages, cities, states, countries, and islands. Places can change over time for a variety of reasons, such as by actions from the people who live there.
Places have both physical and human characteristics. Physical characteristics include traits related to Earth’s surface, such as mountains, beaches, and rivers. Human characteristics are traits related to the human culture that exists in the place. These traits include land use, architecture, language, religion, and political and economic systems.
Regions are areas that have been defined by people to make Earth easier to study. Regions have characteristics that make them distinct from each other. Geographers recognize three types of regions. Formal regions are areas with defined boundaries, such as cities, states, countries, and continents. Functional regions are areas with a shared focal point or connection. For example, the Great Lakes region in North America is recognized as a functional region due to shared connections surrounding the lakes. Perceptual regions are areas that people perceive as united places. For example, the South, West, Midwest, and Northeast are perceptual regions in North America. People view those who live in these regions as having shared beliefs, attitudes, and values.
National Geography Standards 4, 5, and 6 belong to this category.
Physical Systems
The third essential element involves studying the physical processes that shape the surface of Earth as well as how these processes produce and change ecosystems, or communities of living things. Geographers recognize four types of physical systems: the atmosphere, the biosphere, the hydrosphere, and the lithosphere. Each of these systems is unique and affects Earth in different ways. When students study physical systems, they learn about each of these.
National Geography Standards 7 and 8 belong to this category.
Human Systems
The fourth essential element involves studying the population of people on Earth. This element is concerned with the dynamic nature of the human population as well as how it changes and shapes the planet.
This element is also concerned with the different systems that tie populations together. Consider that raw resources, such as food and precious metals, are not distributed evenly on Earth. Over time, people have learned that they must trade with each other to access the resources they need. As a result, humans have developed complex economic, transportation, and communication systems that make it possible to transport and trade raw materials, manufactured goods, capital, services, and even ideas.
National Geography Standards 9 through 13 belong to this category.
Environment and Society
The fifth essential element involves studying interactions between humans and the physical environment in which they live. This element is concerned with how the surface of Earth changes as a result of human pursuits. For example, when people plant crops or build human settlements, they significantly alter the physical environment. While some of these changes are intentional and can have positive consequences, others are unintentional and can have negative consequences, such as global warming.
National Geography Standards 14 through 16 belong to this category.
Uses of Geography
The sixth essential element of geography involves using geographical analysis in a variety of ways. In this element, geographic analysis is used to explain the past and even plan for the future. For example, it can show how physical geography influenced important events in history. Forested areas provided cover for invading armies in past wars, while oceans kept ancient peoples from exploring other continents.
National Geography Standards 17 and 18 belong in this category.
Bibliography
“National Geography Standards.” Goddard Education Office. NASA. Web. 6 Nov. 2014. http://education.gsfc.nasa.gov/experimental/July61999siteupdate/inv99Project.Site/Pages/geo.stand.html
“National Geography Standards Index.” National Geographic. National Geographic Society. Web. 6 Nov. 2014. http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/standards/national-geography-standards/?ar‗a=1