Subfields in Geography - What is Geography? (6/7)

Summary

In this educational video, Dr. Heath Robinson delves into the diverse subfields of geography, focusing on regional and thematic approaches. He explains that geography can be specialized by place or by themes such as physical, human, and biological geography. Physical geography encompasses the study of earth's surface features and geomorphology, while human geography includes economic, political, cultural, population, urban, and transportation geography. Biological geography, or biogeography, investigates the distribution of plants and animals. The video provides a comprehensive introduction to the multifaceted nature of geographic studies.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Geography is a holistic study of the world, often specialized by focusing on specific places or themes.
• 📍 Subdividing geography by region involves studying specific areas or locations.
• 🌱 The theme-based subdivision of geography includes physical, human, and biological geography.
• 🏞️ Physical geography encompasses the study of natural features like lakes, rivers, mountains, and deserts.
• 🔍 Geomorphologists within physical geography focus on the processes that create landforms and topographic features.
• 💼 Human geography includes subfields like economic geography, which studies the spatial aspects of economic activities and phenomena.
• 🏢 Business and marketing geography are important for understanding why certain businesses succeed or fail in specific locations.
• 🗳️ Political geography is concerned with the geographic aspects of politics, including electoral processes and geopolitical issues.
• 🌆 Cultural, population, urban, and transportation geography are significant subfields that study the spatial distribution and characteristics of human societies.
• 🌿 Biological geography, or biogeography, examines the distribution of plants and animals across the planet and the factors influencing their presence.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the video series 'What is, Geography?'

The primary focus of the video series is to explore and explain the various aspects and subdivisions of geography, starting with the fundamental question 'where?' and moving on to discuss different ways to specialize and subdivide the field.

How does Dr. Heath Robinson suggest subdividing the study of geography?

Dr. Heath Robinson suggests subdividing the study of geography in three major ways: by region or place, by theme, and by a third method which is not detailed in the transcript.

What are the three major themes within geographic inquiry mentioned by Dr. Robinson?

The three major themes within geographic inquiry mentioned are physical geography, human geography, and biological geography, also referred to as biogeography.

What does physical geography encompass according to the video?

Physical geography includes the study of natural features such as lakes, rivers, mountains, deserts, and oceans, as well as the study of landforms and topographic features by geomorphologists.

How is geomorphology different from geology as explained in the video?

Geomorphology focuses on the processes that create the earth's surface features, while geology is centered around the subsurface processes of the planet. There is significant interaction between the two disciplines, and they are not strictly separated.

What is economic geography and why is it important?

Economic geography is a subfield of human geography that studies economic processes with reference to location and spatial variables, such as trade routes and unemployment patterns. It is important because it helps understand the geographic patterns of economic activities.

Can you explain the concept of business geography as discussed in the video?

Business geography is a subdivision of economic geography that focuses on the locational factors affecting businesses. It involves studying why certain businesses succeed or fail in specific locations and helps in making informed decisions about where to establish new businesses.

What role does geography play in political processes according to the video?

Geography plays a significant role in political processes, as seen in the way political units are delineated by geographical boundaries, and how elections and political representation are tied to specific locations.

What are some of the subfields within human geography mentioned in the video?

Some of the subfields within human geography mentioned are economic geography, political geography, cultural geography, population geography, urban geography, and transportation geography.

How does biological geography, or biogeography, differ from the other themes of geographic inquiry?

Biological geography, or biogeography, is the study of the distribution of plants and animals across the planet, focusing on the geographic patterns and reasons behind their distribution, which differs from the focus on human activities in human geography and the physical features in physical geography.