NATURE AND SCOPE OF HUMAN GEOGRAPHY DEFINITION OF HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

   NATURE AND SCOPE OF HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

DEFINITION OF HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

Q.1 Define the concept of Human Geography. Mention the nature of

Human geography.

Ans. Human geography studies: 

• “The relationship between the physical/natural and the human

worlds, 

• The spatial distributions of human phenomena and

• How they come about, the social and economic differences between

different parts of the world”.

Q.2 What is the core concern of geography as a discipline?

Ans. The core concern of geography is to understand the earth as home of

human beings and to study all those elements which have sustained

them. 

DUALISM / DIACHOTOMY in HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

Q.3 Mention the any three dualism in geography which started wide-ranging

debates in the discipline of geography.  

Ans. The three dualism in geography which started wide-ranging debates in the

discipline of geography are:

a. Whether geography as a discipline should be a law making/theorising

(nomothetic) or descriptive (idiographic).

b. Whether approach of the study should be regional or systematic?

c. Whether geographical phenomena be interpreted theoretically or

through historic-institutional approach?

Q.4 State any six examples of metaphors used to describe the physical and

human phenomena.  

Ans. They are:

i. ‘face’ of the earth, 

ii. ‘eye’ of the storm, 

iii. ‘mouth’ of the river, 

iv. ‘snout’ (nose) of the glacier, 

v. ‘neck’ of the isthmus 

vi. ‘profile’ of the soil. 

vii. regions, villages, towns have been described as ‘organisms’.

viii. Networks of road, railways and water ways are described as “arteries of

circulation”.

Naturalization of Humans or Environmental determinism

Q.5 Describe important features of the concept of Natualisation of Humans.

OR

State the important characteristics of environmental determinism approach

of study of human geography.

Ans. Environmental deterministic approach states that:

a. Environment controls human actions and activities. Humans were

directly dependent on the natural environment. 

[The elements  of physical 

environment are

landforms, soils, climate, 

water,  natural vegetation 

and  diverse flora  and 

fauna. The  elements  of 

socio-cultural 

environment are Houses, 

villages,  cities, road-rail 

networks,  industries, 

farms,  ports  and  items of 

our  daily  use  which are 

created  by  human  beings 

using the  resources 

provided by  the  physical 

environment.]b. Humans were not free and they adapted according to the nature.

c. Humans were naturalized they were afraid of natural forces.

d. It states that human history, culture, life style, and stages of

development are influenced by the physical environment like

climate, soil, relief, etc.

e. It considers human as passive agents, whose attitude, decision

making is influenced by physical environment.

f. Example: the life of nomads or tribal people living in mountains or

forests. 

Humanisation of Nature or Possibilism

Q.6 Describe important features of the concept of Humanisation of Nature.

OR

State the important characteristics of possibilism approach of human

geography.

Ans. Possibilistic approach states that:

a. Humans were free to choose/decide. Nature did not control him.

b. The nature provided/offered opportunities/possibilities for humans to

exploit it for their benefits.

c. It considered humans as active agents rather than a passive one. 

d. It’s the technology, attitude, habits, values of humans which influenced

its action not the nature.

e. The nature got humanized.

Neodeterminism or Stop and Go determinism

.

Q.7 State the important characteristics of concept of neodeterminism approach

of human geography.

OR

Which approach in the study of human geography was followed by Griffith

Taylor? State two characteristics of this approach.

Ans. Griffith Taylor introduced the concept of neodeterminism of stop and go

determinism. It states that:

a. Neither is there a situation of absolute necessity (environmental

determinism) nor is there a condition of absolute freedom

(possibilism). 

b. It states that nature has provided possibilities and scope for

development but also put limits on it.

c. It means that human beings can conquer nature by obeying it. They

can continue in their pursuit of development when nature permits. 

d. The neo-determinism conceptually attempts to bring a balance

nullifying the ‘either’ ‘or’ dichotomy.

disaster management

Q.1: Think of any city in a multi-hazard prone area, which has not witnessed a major disaster so far. Can you design a story starting in the pre-disaster phase ? What do you think will happen in emergency and post-disaster recovery phase ? 

Ans: (Hints - Multi-hazard prone areas in India are the foothills of the Himalayas and Ganga - Brahmaputra valley. You can think of any city like Chamoly in Uttaranchal, Gangtok in Sikkim, Kohima in Assam etc. which has which has not witnessed a major disaster so far. You have to design a story starting in the period before any major disaster takes place there. Then narrate the actual disaster and the steps taken in the post-disaster recovery phase. Also see the answers of our additional important questions given in a separate post.)   

Q.2: Why do you think it is important for students and teachers to learn about disaster mitigation ? 

Ans: There are several reasons for which it becomes very important both for students and teachers to learn about disaster mitigation - 

=> Both the students and teachers can guide the people most as to what steps can be taken to prevent disasters.

=> The teachers and students are generally well-versed with the locality so they can help the local people most.

=> It is found that both the teachers and students have a great spirit to serve the society in case of any disaster. So if the students and teachers learn about disaster mitigation jobs they can prove still more useful. 

=> If the students and teachers learn about disaster mitigation they can render much useful help to the Government officials and the other social institutions engaged in relief and the rehabilitation work.

=> Mostly when any disaster occurs the schools are generally closed so that the affected people may be shifted to the school buildings. Hence, both the students and teachers are then free to take pert in any disaster mitigation work. 

Q.1: What two steps would you suggest to reduce the loss of an earthquake?

Q.2: Name the four components and elements of disaster management.  

Q.3: Describe the ‘Preparedness’ measure to cope with the effects of disaster.  

Q.4: Describe the ‘Relief and Response’ measures to cope with the effects of a disaster.

Q.5: Describe the ‘Recovery and Rehabilitation’ measures to cope with the effects of a disaster.

Q.6: What do you understand by Disaster Management ? Describe briefly the different components or elements of Disaster Management. 

Answer.1: All those substances which have some utility or usability areresources for us.

The different criteria required for anything to be resource for us are -

      (i) utility or usability.

      (ii) economic value or any other value.

      (iii) time and technology inherent, which can make the substance important for present or future requirements        

      of the people. For example, invention of fire, wheel etc.

Answer.2: In general there are three types of resources: Natural, Human - made, and Human.

Natural Resources

Resources that are drawn from nature and used without much modification are called Natural Resources. For example, air, water in well, rivers and lakes, soil, minerals etc. Natural resources are further divided into various types such as Actual, Potential, Abiotic, Biotic, Renewable, Non-renewable, Ubiquitous and Localized resources.

Human - Made Resources

Such resources which have been changed from their original form by human effort are called as Human - Made Resources. For example, buildings, roads, bridges etc. Technology is also an important example of Human - MadeResources.

Human Resources

Since people can make the best use of nature to create more resources with the help of their knowledge, skill and technology, so, people are humanresources. Human resources refer to the number and abilities of the people.  

Answer.3: On the basis of origin natural resources are classified into Abiotic and Biotic.

Abiotic Resources: These are non-living natural resources like - soils, rocks, minerals etc.

Biotic resources: These are living natural resources like - plants and animals.   

Answer.4: On the basis of stock natural resources are further classified or subdivided into Renewable and Non-renewable types.

Renewable Resources: Such resources are renewed quickly. These are found in abundance and unaffected by human activities. For example, solar and wind energy.

Non-Renewable Resources: Such resources have a limited stock in the nature and may take thousands of years to get renewed. Since this period is much more than human life spans, so, they are called Non-RenewableResources. For example, coal deposits, petroleum deposits etc. 

Answer.5: Balancing the need to use resources and also conserve them for the future is called sustainable development. In other words carefully utilizing resources so that besides meeting the present requirements it also takes care of the need of future generation is known as sustainable development. The basic principles of sustainable development are given below:

1. Respect and care for all forms of life.

2. Improve the quality of human life.

3. Conserve the earth’s vitality and diversity.

4. Minimize the depletion of natural resources.

5. Change personal attitude and practices towards the environment.

6. Enable communities to care for their own environment

resources development

Q.1: Answer the following questions.

(i) Why are resources distributed unequally over the earth?

(ii) What is the resource conservation?

(iii) Why are human resources important?

(iv) What is sustainable development?

Ans:

(i) The distribution of natural resources depends upon a number of physicalfactors like terrain, climate and altitude. And these factors are not same everywhere and vary from place to place on the earth. Hence we find the distribution of resources unequal over the earth.

(ii) Using resources carefully and giving them time to get renewed is called resource conservation.

(iii) People are human resources and human resources are important because people can make the best uses of nature to create more resourcesby applying knowledge, skill and technology.  

(iv) Balancing the need to use resources and also conserve them for the future is called sustainable development. In other words, carefully utilizingresources so that besides meeting the present requirements it also takes care of the need of future generations is what is known as sustainable development.  

Q.2: Tick the correct answer.

(i) Which one of the following does not make substance a resource?

(a) utility (b) value (c) quantity

(ii) Which one of the following is a human made resource?

(a) medicines to treat cancer (b) spring water (c) tropical forests

(iii) Complete the statement.

Biotic resources are _______

(a) derived from living things

(b) made by human beings

(c) derived from non-living things

Ans: (i)-c (ii)-a (iii)-a.

Q.3: Differentiate between the following:

(a) Potential and Actual resources.

(b) Ubiquitous and Localized resources

Ans:

(a) Differentiation between Potential and Actual resources

Potential Resources	Actual Resources
1. Potential resources are those resources whose entire quantity is not known. 2. They are not being used at present due to non-availability of technology to develop them. 3. For example, uranium in Ladakh.	1. Actual resources are thoseresources whose quantity is known. 2. They are being used at present with the existing technology. 3. For example, rich coal deposit in Ruhr valley of Germany, black soil in Deccan Trap of Maharashtra.

 (b) Differentiation between Ubiquitous and Localized resources

Ubiquitous Resources	Localized Resources
1. Ubiquitous resources are those resources which are found everywhere. 2. For example, land, water, air.	1. Resources found only in certain places are called localizedresources. 2. For example, copper, bauxite, gold etc.

resources

Q.1: What is a resource? What are the criteria (requirements) for any substance to become a resource?

Q.2: Name the different types of resources.

Q.3: On the basis of origin classify natural resources.

Q.4: How do we classify natural resources on the basis of their stock?

Q.5: What do you understand by sustainable development? Also mention its basic principles.   

answer.1: All those substances which have some utility or usability areresources for us.

The different criteria required for anything to be resource for us are -

      (i) utility or usability.

      (ii) economic value or any other value.

      (iii) time and technology inherent, which can make the substance important for present or future requirements        

      of the people. For example, invention of fire, wheel etc.

Answer.2: In general there are three types of resources: Natural, Human - made, and Human.

Natural Resources

Resources that are drawn from nature and used without much modification are called Natural Resources. For example, air, water in well, rivers and lakes, soil, minerals etc. Natural resources are further divided into various types such as Actual, Potential, Abiotic, Biotic, Renewable, Non-renewable, Ubiquitous and Localized resources.

Human - Made Resources

Such resources which have been changed from their original form by human effort are called as Human - Made Resources. For example, buildings, roads, bridges etc. Technology is also an important example of Human - MadeResources.

Human Resources

Since people can make the best use of nature to create more resources with the help of their knowledge, skill and technology, so, people are humanresources. Human resources refer to the number and abilities of the people.  

Answer.3: On the basis of origin natural resources are classified into Abiotic and Biotic.

Abiotic Resources: These are non-living natural resources like - soils, rocks, minerals etc.

Biotic resources: These are living natural resources like - plants and animals.   

Answer.4: On the basis of stock natural resources are further classified or subdivided into Renewable and Non-renewable types.

Renewable Resources: Such resources are renewed quickly. These are found in abundance and unaffected by human activities. For example, solar and wind energy.

Non-Renewable Resources: Such resources have a limited stock in the nature and may take thousands of years to get renewed. Since this period is much more than human life spans, so, they are called Non-RenewableResources. For example, coal deposits, petroleum deposits etc. 

Answer.5: Balancing the need to use resources and also conserve them for the future is called sustainable development. In other words carefully utilizing resources so that besides meeting the present requirements it also takes care of the need of future generation is known as sustainable development. The basic principles of sustainable development are given below:

1. Respect and care for all forms of life.

2. Improve the quality of human life.

3. Conserve the earth’s vitality and diversity.

4. Minimize the depletion of natural resources.

5. Change personal attitude and practices towards the environment.

6. Enable communities to care for their own environment.