1.1 What is Geography?

• Aardrijkskunde
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 1

1.1 What is geography?

After studying this section, you will be able to:

• Explain what is meant by geography;
• Explain the difference between physical geography and human geography;
• Describe what is meant by geography, using keywords and proper English phrases;
• Use commas and decimal points in numbers.

What is geography?

Geo = Land, graphy = to study.    

Geography = To study the world in which we live.

What makes life on Earth possible?

1. Perfect distance from the sun;
2. Water in liquid form;
3. Enough oxygen for us to breathe.

Physical geography

about nature on planet Earth

Human geography

about people living in this world

Natural landscape

(no influence of humans)

Man-made landscape

(influenced by humans)

Physical geography

Human geography

What kind of landscape does the figure show?

1. Natural landscape
2. Man-made landscape
3. Physical landscape
4. Human landscape

What kind of landscape does the figure show?

1. Natural landscape
2. Man-made landscape
3. Physical landscape
4. Human landscape

Talking point

How many different human elements can you identify in the landscape where you live? Would you like to change anything about this landscape?

How to use commas and decimal points in numbers

The English reverse the use of commas (,) and decimal points (.) in numbers compared to Dutch. In Dutch, a period means multiples of thousand. So, a Dutch person would write ‘2.200 jaar oud’, while in English you would write ‘2,200 years old’. The opposite exists as well: Dutch uses a comma, where English uses a decimal point. ‘7.5 million’ in English, pronounced as seven point eight million, means the same as ‘7,5 miljoen’ in Dutch.

Geography in the news

Knowing about geography is important for understanding the news!

Example: There is extreme hunger in the African country of Ethiopia.

• Physical geography:  Some parts of Africa have a climate with long dry periods and climate change can make things worse for people living in these parts of Africa.
• Human geography: Will they migrate to other countries? Will they seek help in refugee camps? Which aid agencies exist to help these people? Do people in rich countries help people in poor countries?

Geography helps you to figure these things out!

Essence

• In geography, we study planet Earth and its inhabitants. 
• Physical geography studies the natural features and the processes on and inside the Earth. Human geography studies the human activities around the world. 
• Landscapes can be natural (formed by nature) or man-made (shaped by humans). 
• Geography helps us to understand what happens on Earth.

Homework 1HVT

Friday 18 September, 6th hour:

• Read 1.1
• Do ex. 1 to 11