Geography deals with the study of landforms and the natural phenomena on Earth. Why is geography so important? Why should we study it? Read this ScienceStruck article to know about the importance of geography.
Geography is the study of the Earth, its landforms, features, and inhabitants. It seems to have lost its importance in this new era of globalization. Recent surveys have brought out disturbing results about the level of knowledge that kids have, about geography. It is surprising to know that children today do not find it important to study this subject. It’s high time we understand how important it really is.
Why is Geography Important?
It includes the study of our planet and of occurrences in nature.
Geography consists of the study of our planet, its climatic conditions, the various landforms on Earth, and the different natural occurrences. It includes the spatial analysis of human and natural phenomena, the exploration of earth sciences, and the study of the relationship between nature and human life. The study of geography includes the analysis of social, economic, and environmental processes that affect nature. Don’t you think it is important to know about this in depth? Don’t you feel the need to have knowledge of our Earth? If you feel the need to, you have a reason to say that geography is important.
It involves the study of people.
The geography of a region affects the lifestyle of its inhabitants. The geographical conditions of a region influence its culture. They have a deep impact on the social and cultural norms of people. The geography of a region has a direct effect on the art forms, the literature, the food habits, and the celebrations and traditions of the people that inhabit it. The study of geography lets us understand the distribution of people around the world and the differences in their ways of living.
It helps with navigation.
The study of geography includes understanding the locations of various territories and countries. It includes studying the organization of landmasses and water bodies across the globe. Maps, an important part of the study of geography, help us locate places on the globe. Their study helps us form a mental image of the distances and locations of various regions on the planet. It allows us to know the expanse of landforms and water bodies in terms of their size, height, or depth. As geography helps us gauge distances and locate places on Earth, it helps improve our navigation skills.
It includes the study of natural resources.
If you find it boring to learn about the natural resources and climatic conditions across the globe, you must understand that it is these resources in nature that let us live and the climatic conditions have a bearing on our living conditions. The climate of a region dictates the life forms that inhabit it. The animals and plants that thrive in a region, and the resources available there, are highly influenced by its geographical location and the geographical conditions that prevail there. The climatic conditions and the availability of natural resources in a particular region shapes the life of its inhabitants. Geography influences the distribution of natural and man-made resources across the globe.
It answers questions about the distribution of life forms and landforms.
The natural wealth of a region owes its existence to the region’s geographical conditions. The geographical location of a region influences its climate, which in turn influences the life forms that can thrive in that region. Why does oil come from Saudi Arabia? Why are China and India the largest producers of rice? Why do camels populate the African terrains and polar bears inhabit the Arctic? Why is the deciduous forest biome in parts of America, Asia, Europe, Africa, and Australia? Why are rainforests found in the equatorial regions? It is all because of the diverse geographical conditions around the world. Thus, the study of geography answers several interesting questions about the availability and distribution of resources and life forms.
It is linked to geology.
The geological features vary across different parts of the globe. Why are certain regions more prone to earthquakes than the others? Why some regions experience snowfall while others don’t? What are the types of soil found in various regions? The answers to such questions and the knowledge of landforms and altitudes is included in geology, a field that is closely linked with geography. Its study helps us know the natural disasters a region is prone to, thereby helping us take the required preventive measures. It is of help to man in planning the building of dams and electricity projects. It is of use in planning the development of businesses and trade.
It helps us appreciate life.
Moreover, studying geography helps us appreciate the diversity in life forms. It exposes us to various ecology issues and environmental concerns. It helps us understand how nature influences life. It lets us know how cultures take shape. It enables us to know how civilizations are born. It helps us understand the interaction between natural components and human beings. As it gives us the knowledge of the availability and distribution of natural resources, its study helps us take decisions about resource use and management.
The study of geography gives us an opportunity to observe and analyze the close association between the natural environment and human life. Geography is important.