DEVELOPMENT OF
GEOGRAPHY
A brief description about Geography as discipline
NOVEMBER 5, 2024
SCAR MEDIA
India
Introduction
“Geography is the study of interaction/relationship between man
and environment”. Though several definitions of Geography
have been given, the most important in vogue is that given by
Hartshorne in his monumental work, The Nature of Geography
(1939), revised in 1959 as Perspective on the nature of Geography, in
which he stated that “Geography is concerned to provide accurate,
orderly and rational description and interpretation of the variable
character of the Earth’s surface”.
So let me begin our discussion by asking a question – “Is
Geography the first knowledge to evolve?”. The answer is
probably, Yes, because from the very beginning humans are
trying to understand their immediate environment. What does it
mean? Let me explain.
Scientists conduct researches about climate change, ecosystem
dynamics and behavior of animals. City planners analyze the
physical and social aspects of neighborhood to create sustainable
and efficient urban environments just like we have seen in
Ancient civilizations such as Indus Valley Civilization, which is
well planned Civilization.
Also, peoples often explore local history and culture through
museums, cultural events and heritage sites. In Ancient religions,
masses worshipped nature in the form of gods, such as Thunder
God, River goddess etc. They do so because of less understanding
of environment.
There are many more examples. These examples highlight
various ways humans seek to comprehend and engage with their
surroundings, whether through scientific inquiry, community
involvement, or personal exploration.
There is another question that arises here “Why Geography did
not develop at that time?”
Initially, during the Ancient and Medieval period, there is slow
development of technology because knowledge of environment
was very limited as there is no strong principle in any discipline.
The individuals were scholars of Multi-discipline (since the
knowledge was limited there was no need for specialization).
So you might ask me that “Author! Then tell us when things get
serious?”
After The Renaissance period which is known for Industrial
Revolution. At this phase, there was a rapid development in
technology. This phase experienced “Bombardment of
Knowledge/information”. It became unmanageable for an
individual to study and gather so much knowledge. So, this
created a need for specialization. Further, in 18 th century, the
formal birth of Geography took place and ‘Geography’ as a
discipline evolved.
So, lets advance towards the periods of Geographical
development in a bit detail.
Periods of Geographical development
Ancient Period
This period of Development of Geography was dominated by
Greek and Romans. Let me take you into a little detail here.
Greeks
Greeks played an important role in the Development of
Geography by giving early theories about the Earth which lead to
the advancement of Geography as a discipline, by doing
systematic studies on Geography by Herodotus, bringing out the
concept of Latitude and Longitude by Hipparchus, discovering
Mathematical Geography by Erotosthenes, towards mapping and
regional descriptions by Strabo, and Claudius Ptolemy work,
Geographia, offering instructions for creating maps.
Romans
If we talk about Romans, they also contributed heavily in
development of Geography. They enforced Geography in
practical use and expansion. They developed Itineraria, a route
map that focused on roads, distances, and stopping points rather
than Geographic accuracy. It was known as Cartographic
Innovation.
They contributed in land surveys and boundaries accompanies by
Geographical writings and Environmental geography.
Therefore, Greeks and Romans has legacy in the development of
Geographical science or rather we can say that they laid the
foundation of Geographical science.
Their works were preserved and further developed by Islamic
scholars during the middle ages.
Medieval period
This period in Geography is in the commands of Arab
Geographers. They made significant contributions to the field of
Geography.
The Arab-Islamic world, stretching from Spain to India became a
center of learning and Muslims scholars were instrumental in
preserving, enhancing and disseminating Geographical
knowledge.
Al-Idrisi, Ibn Battuta, Al-Biruni, Ibn Khaldun and Al-Masudi
were some of the Arabs who bestowed significantly in
Geography.
There were some innovations and techniques, such as,
mapmaking and Cartography, use of Astronomy in Geography,
Books and Encyclopedia, were put forward by Arabs.
In Europe this period is known as Dark Age. This period
witnessed influence of church in Europe. So no scientific
development.
Renaissance period
This period was focused in Europe. During this period science
always challenged dominance of church.
This period is known for:
Renewed interest in classical knowledge
The Age of Exploration
Advancements in Cartography
Scientific revolution and Empirical approach
New Geographical knowledge
Impact of Cosmography and global understanding
Some notable figures:
Martin Waldseemuller
Amerigo Vespucci
Derardus Mercator
Sabastian Munster
The Renaissance set the theme for modern Geography.
Classical Period
The period from 17 th century – 1st half of 18th century, comes
under classical period. This period is known as Evergreen
/Timeless, denoting to something which would be always
relevant.
After a long discussion, a question – Why classical?
Because fundamental concepts were developed during this
period.
This period perceive the emergence of two great geographers
Bernhard Varenius
Immanuel Kant
These two played momentous role in Development of Geography
as a discipline during the classical period. During this period,
concepts like Dualism and Dichotomy developed. Now, we are
moving towards the main part of our discussion, which is
Modern Period. This period is divided into Pre-Modern and
Modern. Modern is further subdivided into early Modern Period,
Intermediate Modern Period, Late Modern Period and Post
Modern Period. So, let’s dive and see what’s in it.
1. Pre-Modern Period (18th century – 19th century)
This Period had two great scholars named A.V.
Humboldt (till him no exclusive geographer) and Carl Ritter (first
person to study geographer exclusively.
Humboldt and Ritter added layers to the fundamental concepts of
classical period. They have new meanings to the fundamental
concepts.
2. Modern Period (18th century – 19th century)
1859– Darwin’s concept : Origin of Species
His concept stated that humans are just another species who
will be governed by environmental laws. His theory gave an
opportunity to the erstwhile geographers to relate
geography with science.
i) Early Modern Period : 1859- world war I
During this period two important school of thought
emerged :
a) Determinism – German school of thought
b) Possibilism – French school of thought
In Early Modern Period, Development of Geography was
mostly in Europe.
By the beginning of 20th century, two more schools of
thought evolves
a) British School of thought
b) American school of thought.
ii) Intermediate Modern Period : World War I – World War
II
Intermediate Modern Period is actually inter war period,
which takes place in between two major wars – World
War I and World War II.
During this period, scene of geography shifted to Anglo-
American school. So, most of the geography we study
after this period is Anglo-American.
Also, Russian school of thought developed during this
period. However, what we study in Geography is not
much of Russian school.
iii) Late Modern Period (1950 – 1970’s)
This period is also known as Quantitative revolution
period. During this period, Geography was made
objective and scientific. Why?
After World War II, it was believed that discipline like
Geography had a very miniscule contribution in World
War II.
Hence, Geography was threatened. Funding of geography
discipline in Universities were stopped. Thus,
Geographers thought of making Geography a scientific
discipline.
2ND half of Late Modern Period: Early 1970’s- late 1980’s
This phase is known for the advancement of behavioural
Geography, which is a middle path between Quantitative
/objective geography and subjective/Qualitative
Geography.
Two more fields emerged:
a) Radical Geography – Political in nature
b) Humanist Geography – Subjective in nature
iv) Post Modern Period – Late 80’s to present
Post Modern period was divided into two-
i) Late 80’s- late 90’s : This timeline is known for chaos in
Geography. Some new subfields emerged in this period
–
a) Behavioural Geography – Still existed
b) Radical Geography – Wanted to throw out
capitalism
c) Feminism Geography
d) Cultural Geography – Study of the culture of an
individual.
e) Welfare geography – Concerned with Equality and
Inequality.
f) Environmentalism – Talks about philosophy that the
geographical nature must be protected by the
harmful impacts of humans.
g) Late 90’s – Present – Since 90’s- Environmentalism
Geography is dominating.
Conclusion
Therefore, development of Geography is followed by many stages
and timelines. Each period witnessed something new which
added a new taste in geography. Also, it saw ups and downs
during the inter war period but it still thrives. Now, Geography
has many sub fields which fulfills the interest of various
individuals and groups. Geography, as discipline, always
develops and, in future, it will keep advancing towards new
principles and phenomenas.
