Class 11 Geo ch-1 Notes

THESE NOTES ARE PROVIDED BY STUDIFYSUCCESS.
CLASS 11
FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

CHAPTER 1
GEOGRAPHY AS A DISCIPLINE
INTRODUCTION TO GEOGRAPHY
Till now we have studied geography as a part of social
sciences.
Now we will study geography as a separate discipline of
earth sciences . Geography is the one of the necessary
earth science subject to understand the earth surface .
It study about the earth’s natural and human
environment and interaction between them.
Geography study about the entire earth surface as a
system of human and natural environment. Every
phenomena occur over space and changes have taken
place over time in this way geography is the study of
space and time .
In modern era geography is the subdiscipline of earth
science . Many of us think geography as only making
and drawing maps .Cartography is only a subdiscipline
of geography it is not the whole geography.
pg. 1 https://www.studifysuccess.com CREATED BY KUNDAN

DEFINITION OF GEOGRAPHY
The term geography was first coined by Eratosthenese a

Greek scholar . GEOGRAPHY is the combination of two words
GEO (earth) + GRAPHY(description) .It means geography is
the description of earth surface .
Geography is the study of the diverse environments, places,
and spaces of Earth’s surface and their interactions. It seeks to
answer questions about why things are as they are and where
they are.
SCOPE OF GEOGRAPHY
Geography is not the study of whole earth . It is a common
misconception that geography is the study of whole earth.
Geography is only concerned about the earth surface and the
Other internal study lie in the domain off GEOLOGY.
At vertical study above the earth surface it is only concerned
about up to two layers of atmosphere (a) Troposphere (b)
stratosphere. Above these two layers the studies lie in the
domain of Atmospheric sciences and space science.
BUT geography also studies about the other celestial bodies
that influence the earth surface in any way like gravity of the
moon and the sun. Magnetic effect of sun’s atmosphere on the
earth atmosphere.

THREE QUESTIONS OF GEOGRAPHY
• Some questions are concerned with the identification of the

patterns of natural and cultural features as found over the
surface of the earth. (what)
• Second type of questions are related to the distribution of the
natural and human/ cultural features over the surface of the
earth. (where)
• The third question is related to the explanation or the causal
relationships between features and the processes and
phenomena.(why)
GEOGRAPHY AS AN INTEGRATED DISCIPLINE
Geography as an integrating discipline has interface with numerous natural

and social sciences . Every discipline ,concerned with scientific knowledge is
linked with geography as many of their elements vary over space . Geography
helps in understanding the reality in totality in its spatial perspective .
Geography ,thus, not only takes note of the differences in the phenomena from
place to place but integrates them holistically which may be different at other
places . A Geographer is required to have a broad understanding of all the
related fields , to be able to logically integrate them.
Geography influences historical events . Spatial distance itself has been a very
potent factor to alter the course of history of the world . Spatial depth provided
defence to many countries , particularly in the last century . In traditional
warfare , countries with large size in area , gain time at the cost of space. Most
recent example is Russia Ukraine war.
The defence provided by oceanic expanse around the countries of the new
world has protected them from wars being imposed on their soil.

If we look at the historical events world over , each one of them can be
interpreted geographically.
Every geographical phenomenon undergoes change through time and can be
explained temporally .
It is possible to convert time in terms of space and space in terms of time .
For example it can be said that place A is 1500 km from place B or alternately ,
it can also be said that place A is two hours away .
It is for this reason , time is an integral part of geographical studies as the
fourth dimension.

Physical geography and natural sciences
All branches of geography have relation with natural sciences . The

traditional physical geography is linked with geology , meteorology ,
hydrology, and pedology, and thus , geomorphology , climatology,
oceanography and soil geography respectively have very close link
with the natural sciences .
Biogeography is closely related to botany , zoology, as well as ecology.
A geographer should have some proficiency in mathematics and art ,
particularly in drawing maps.
The cartographic and quantitative techniques require sufficient
proficiency in mathematics , statistics and econometrics.
Geography and social sciences
There is strong relationships with geography and social sciences .

Every discipline has a philosophy which provides roots to a discipline
and in the process of its evolution. The history of geographical
thought as mother branch of geography is included in its curricula. All
the social science disciplines ,viz. sociology, political science ,
economics and demography study different aspects of social reality.
The branches of geography , viz. social, political, economic , and
population and settlements are closely linked with these disciplines
as each one of them has spatial attributes.
Maps are very effective tools of geographers in which the tabular
data is converted into visual form to bring out the spatial pattern.

Branches of Geography
In the regional approach , the world is divided into regions at

different hierarchical levels and then and then all
geographical phenomena in a particular region are studied .
These regions may be natural , political, or designated region.
Earlier scholars laid emphasis on physical geography . But
human beings are an integral part of the earth’s surface .
They are the part and parcel of nature . They also have
contributed through their As it is earlier mentioned that
geography is a highly interdisciplinary subject.
There are two approaches adopted in geography to study (1)
Systematic and (2) Regional.
The systematic approach was introduced by Alexander von
Humboldt , a German geographer while regional approach
was developed by another German geographer Karl Ritter.
In systematic approach a phenomena is studied world as a
whole, and then the identification of typologies or spatial
pattern is done . For example , if any one is interested in
studying agriculture , the study will done at world level as a
first step . The typologies such as commercial, mixed farming
etc . will be identified.
cultural development .

Branches of Geography (Based on systematic approach)
1. physical Geography
(a) Geomorphology is devoted to the study of landforms , their
evolution and related processes.
(b) Climatology is the study of structure of atmosphere and elements
of weather and climates and climatic types and regions .
(c) Hydrology studies the realm of water over the surface of the
earth including oceans, lakes, rivers , and other water bodies and its
effect on different life forms including human life and their activities .
(d) soil Geography is devoted to study the processes of soil formation
,soil types, their fertility status , distribution and use .
2. Human geography
(a) Social/Cultural Geography studies the society and its spatial
dynamics as well as cultural elements contributed by the society .
(b)Population and Settlement Geography .It studies population
growth, distribution, density, sex ratio, migration and occupational
structure etc. Settlement geography studies the characteristics of
rural and urban settlements.
(c) Economic Geography studies economic activities of people
including agriculture ,industry ,tourism, trade, and transport,
infrastructure and services, etc .
(d) Historical Geography studies the historical processes through
which the space gets organised.

(e) Political Geography looks at the space from the angle of political
events and studies boundaries , space , relations between
neighbouring political units .
3. Biogeography
The interface between physical and human geography has lead to
the development of biogeography.
(a) Plant Geography is the studies of spatial pattern of natural
vegetation in their habitats.
(b) Zoo Geography studies the spatial patterns and
geographic characteristics of animals and their habitats.
(c) Ecology /Ecosystem deals with the scientific study of the
habitats .
(d) Environmental Geography studies land degradation
,pollution and concerns for conservation .

Branches of Geography Based on Regional Approach
1.Regional studies/Area studies

Comprising Macro , Meso and Micro regional studies
2. Regional planning
Comprising country/rural and town/ urban studies
3.Regional Development
4. Regional Analysis
There are two aspects which are common to every discipline ,these are :
(1) Philosophy
(a) Geographical thought
(b) Land and Human Interaction /Human Ecology
(2) Methods and techniques
(a) Cartography including computer cartography
(b)Quantitative Techniques/Statistical Techniques
(c)Field survey methods
(d) Geoinformatics comprising techniques such as Remote sensing , GIS , GPS,
etc.

Physical Geography And Its Importance
Physical geography is the study of lithosphere(landforms, drainage ,

relief, and physiography), atmosphere (its composition ,structure,
elements, and controls of weather and climate),hydrosphere(oceans,
seas, lakes, ) and biosphere (life forms including human being and
microorganism) .
The study of physical geography is emerging as a discipline of

evaluating and managing natural resources. In order to achieve this
objective, it is essential to understand the intricate relationship
between physical environment and human beings.
Physical environment provides resources , and human beings utilise

these resources and ensure their economic and cultural development
.
Accelerated pace of resource utilisation with the help of modern

technology has created ecological imbalance in the world .
Hence , a better understanding of physical environment is absolutely

essential for sustainable development.

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THESE NOTES ARE PROVIDED BY STUDIFYSUCCESS.

FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

pg. 1 https://www.studifysuccess.com CREATED BY KUNDAN

The term geography was first coined by Eratosthenese a

pg. 2 https://www.studifysuccess.com CREATED BY KUNDAN

THREE QUESTIONS OF GEOGRAPHY

• Some questions are concerned with the identification of the

GEOGRAPHY AS AN INTEGRATED DISCIPLINE

Geography as an integrating discipline has interface with numerous natural

pg. 3 https://www.studifysuccess.com CREATED BY KUNDAN

pg. 4 https://www.studifysuccess.com CREATED BY KUNDAN

Physical geography and natural sciences

All branches of geography have relation with natural sciences . The

Geography and social sciences

There is strong relationships with geography and social sciences .

pg. 5 https://www.studifysuccess.com CREATED BY KUNDAN

In the regional approach , the world is divided into regions at

pg. 6 https://www.studifysuccess.com CREATED BY KUNDAN

Branches of Geography (Based on systematic approach)

pg. 7 https://www.studifysuccess.com CREATED BY KUNDAN

pg. 8 https://www.studifysuccess.com CREATED BY KUNDAN

Branches of Geography Based on Regional Approach

1.Regional studies/Area studies

pg. 9 https://www.studifysuccess.com CREATED BY KUNDAN

Physical Geography And Its Importance

Physical geography is the study of lithosphere(landforms, drainage ,

The study of physical geography is emerging as a discipline of

Physical environment provides resources , and human beings utilise

Accelerated pace of resource utilisation with the help of modern

Hence , a better understanding of physical environment is absolutely

pg. 10 https://www.studifysuccess.com CREATED BY KUNDAN

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