Topic 1  Introduction

Topic 1: Introduction to Geography - Basic Concepts

1. What is Geography?

Geography is the science that studies and describes the Earth's surface, as well as the relationship between human beings and their physical environment. It is not just about memorizing the names of rivers or mountains; it goes much further. Its main objective is to understand what our planet is like, why phenomena occur where they do, and how we interact with that space.

The word "Geography" comes from the Greek: geo (Earth) and graphos (description), meaning "description of the Earth."

2. Branches of Geography

Geography is a very broad science, so it is divided into two main branches to facilitate its study:

a) Physical Geography:
Studies the natural elements and phenomena of the Earth. It focuses on the physical environment without human intervention. Its main sub-branches are:

• Geomorphology: Studies relief (mountains, plains, valleys) and the processes that shape it (erosion, sedimentation).

• Climatology: Analyzes climates, weather, and the factors that determine them.

• Hydrography: Studies continental waters (rivers, lakes, groundwater) and ocean waters.

• Biogeography: Examines the distribution of living beings (vegetation and fauna) on the planet.

b) Human Geography:
Studies the relationship of human societies with the geographical space. It analyzes how human beings organize, modify, and understand the territory. Its main sub-branches are:

• Population Geography: Studies the distribution, density, structure, and movements (migrations) of the population.

• Urban Geography: Analyzes cities, their origin, growth, structure, and problems.

• Economic Geography: Examines economic activities (agriculture, industry, services) and their location within the territory.

• Political Geography: Studies the political organization of space (borders, states, international relations).

3. Key Geographical Concepts

To analyze any geographical fact, we use a series of fundamental concepts:

• Geographical Space: This is the physical setting transformed by human beings throughout history. It includes both natural elements (a river) and human elements (a bridge over that river). It is dynamic and constantly changing.

• Landscape: This is the visible part of the geographical space, what we can perceive with our senses. There are two main types:

  • Natural Landscape: One that has not been modified by human beings (a virgin jungle, a desert).

  • Humanized or Cultural Landscape: One that has been transformed by human activity (a cultivated field, a city, a road).

• Territory: This is a delimited geographical space (for example, by political borders) over which a society exercises its organization and power. A country, an autonomous community, or a municipality are territories.

• Environment: This is the set of natural, social, and cultural components that exist in a place at a given time, and which influence the life of people and society. Geography studies the relationship between human beings and the environment, which can be one of adaptation, transformation, or sometimes deterioration (pollution).

4. The Study Method in Geography: Location and Representation

Geographers don't just describe; they also locate, analyze, and explain phenomena. To do this, they ask key questions:

• Where is it? (Location)

• What is it like? (Description)

• Why is it there? (Causality)

• What relationships does it have with other elements? (Relationship)

The fundamental tool for location is the representation of the Earth:

• Globe: This is the most faithful representation of the Earth, as it preserves its spherical shape.

• Maps: These are flat representations of the entire Earth's surface or a part of it. To "flatten" the sphere, projection systems are used, which always distort some characteristic (size, shape, distance).

  • Elements of a map: Title, orientation (compass rose), scale, legend (symbols and colors), and geographical coordinates.

5. Geographical Coordinates: The "Address" of the Planet

This is a system of imaginary lines (parallels and meridians) that allow us to locate any point on Earth with precision.

• Parallels: These are circles perpendicular to the Earth's axis. The Equator (0º) is the main parallel and divides the Earth into two hemispheres: North and South.

• Meridians: These are semicircles that run from pole to pole. The Prime Meridian (Greenwich Meridian) (0º) is the main one and divides the Earth into the Eastern (East) and Western (West) hemispheres.

Coordinates are expressed in degrees (°) and are:

• Latitude: The distance in degrees from any point to the Equator. It can be North (N) or South (S). It ranges from 0º to 90º.

• Longitude: The distance in degrees from any point to the Prime Meridian. It can be East (E) or West (W). It ranges from 0º to 180º.

Example: The coordinates of Madrid are approximately 40° N, 3° W.

Final Summary: Geography is a mixed science that studies the Earth's space in an integral way, combining the analysis of the physical environment (Physical Geography) with human activity (Human Geography). It uses concepts like landscape, territory, and environment, and relies on tools such as maps and geographical coordinates to locate, describe, and explain the phenomena that occur on our planet.

Exercise 1. Multiple Choice (Basic Concepts)

Choose the correct answer:
 

a) The word “Geography” comes from:

1. Latin: geo (Earth) and graphos (map)
   
   

2. Greek: geo (Earth) and graphos (description)
   
   

3. Greek: graphos (Earth) and geo (map)
   
   

b) Which of the following is NOT a branch of Human Geography?

1. Population Geography
   
   

2. Climatology
   
   

3. Urban Geography
   
   

Exercise 2. Classify
Read the following examples and classify them into Physical Geography or Human Geography:

• Study of volcanic eruptions in Iceland.
  
  

• Analysis of the industrial zones in Germany.
  
  

• Distribution of tropical forests.
  
  

• Migration flows between Latin America and Europe.
  
  

• Urban planning in Tokyo.
  
  

Exercise 3. True or False – Explain
Mark the following statements as True (T) or False (F) and give a short explanation:

1. A natural landscape is one that has been modified by human beings.
   
   

2. The Equator divides the Earth into Eastern and Western hemispheres.
   
   

3. Maps always represent the Earth without any distortion.
   
   

4. The Prime Meridian passes through Greenwich, in London.
   
   

Exercise 4. Short Answer
Answer in a few sentences:
a) What is the difference between territory and environment?
b) Why is it important to study Geography in the 21st century? Give two reasons.

Exercise 5. Applied Task – Locate a City
Using the system of geographical coordinates, locate one of these cities on a map and write its approximate latitude and longitude:

• New York
  
  

• Buenos Aires
  
  

• Cairo
  
  

• Beijing
  
  

Then, indicate in which hemispheres (North/South, East/West) each city is located.

Exam Questions – Topic 1: Introduction to Geography

Multiple Choice (Choose the correct answer)

1. The word “Geography” comes from ...
   
   

2. Which of the following is NOT part of Physical Geography?
   
   

3. The Prime Meridian...

True/False (Correct if false)
4. The Equator...
5. A humanized landscape...
6. Maps always represent the Earth...

Short Answer
7. Define “geographical...
8. Territory and environment.
9. Branches 

Applied / Extended
10. Write down the approximate coordinates of...
11. Imagine you are a geographer...
12. Explain the main differences between natural landscape and...

What is Geography?

Mother Nature

Asch Experience

Why maps are wrong?

Latitude and Longitude song

Latitude and Longitude (5 exer.)

Review