Human Geography Nature And Scope

Nature Of Human Geography

The Naturalisation Of Humans

This concept refers to how early human societies adapted to the physical environment. Humans were at the mercy of nature and relied directly on its resources for survival. Their movements, food habits, and settlements were dictated by natural elements like climate, terrain, water sources, and vegetation.

Humanisation Of Nature

As societies evolved, humans developed technologies and social systems that allowed them to modify and control the environment. This process is called humanisation of nature. Instead of adapting to nature, humans began to exploit and shape it to suit their needs — through agriculture, urbanisation, industrialisation, and infrastructure development.

Human Geography Through The Corridors Of Time

Human geography evolved over time from environmental determinism to possibilism and beyond:

• Early Phase: Focused on how nature controlled human life (Environmental Determinism).
• Later Developments: Recognised human agency and choices (Possibilism).
• Modern Human Geography: Emphasises interaction between nature and humans, spatial analysis, and incorporates political, economic, cultural, and technological perspectives.

Fields And Sub-Fields Of Human Geography

Human geography is a broad field and includes multiple sub-disciplines:

• Social Geography: Focuses on social aspects such as caste, religion, gender, etc.
• Urban Geography: Studies spatial structures and processes in urban areas.
• Political Geography: Analyses spatial distribution of political phenomena.
• Population Geography: Deals with distribution, density, and growth of population.
• Economic Geography: Examines location of industries, trade, agriculture, etc.
• Cultural Geography: Studies cultural phenomena like language, religion, traditions, etc.
• Medical Geography: Analyses spatial patterns of health and diseases.
• Historical Geography: Explores historical dimensions of human interaction with space.