Chapter-1: Human Geography Nature and Scope
Short Answer Question (3 Mark Question)
Q.1. Give the definition of Human geography and also mention its main field.
Ans. The study of interrelationships and variations between physical environment and human beings is called as human geography. It is the synthetic study of relationship between human societies and earth’ surface. Study areas (field) of human geography.
• Regional Approach Systematic Approach
• It studies about the population and its capabilities of a region.
• It studies about-the use and planning of resources of a region.
• Studies cultural environmental adaptation.
Q.2. “The elements of physical geography and human geography are interrelated with each other. Explain the statement by giving suitable examples.
Ans. The elements of physical geography and human geography interact each other. The livelihood and social economic activities of humans are affected by different physical factors like; nature of terrain, climate, soil, water, and vegetation. Nature determines the functions and life of human being Human life is depend upon natural resources and the availability of these natural resources greatly govern the employment, cropping system and the medium of transport. Nature provides minimum opportunities for the development of human and humans being avail these opportunities for their development.
Q.3. Nature and human are so intricately intertwined that they Can’t be separated from each other. Explain the statement with examples.
Ans. There is complex integration found between the nature and human
1. Humans and nature are inseparable.
2. Humans have created social and cultural environment by interacting with natural environment.
3. Physical and human phenomenon are described in metaphors using symbols from the human anatomy.
Q.4. What is the subject matter of the study of human geography? Explain any three facts in this
regard.
Ans. Following three important facts are important for the study of human geography
1. The study of cultural environment created by the interaction between physical environment and human beings
2. Considering earth as the abode of human being and study all those elements or factors those are cherished by human being.
3. Study of whole human world and its capabilities living over surface of earth.
Q.5. Explain the concept of environmental determinism by giving suitable examples. Or
In the early stages of their interaction with their natural environment humans were greatly influenced by it”. Prove the statement.
Ans.
1. Earlier the level of technology was very low and the stage of development was also primitive.
2. He adapted to the dictates of nature.
3. We can imagine the presence of a naturalised human, who listened to nature, was afraid of its fury and worshipped it.
4. This type of interaction between primitive human society and strong forces of nature was termed as environmental determinism.
5. The physical environment for such societies becomes the “Mother nature”.
Q.6. “Nature provides opportunities and human being make use of these and slowly nature gets humanised”. Which concept of human geography is revealed by the given statement.?
Ans.
1. This concept of human geography is known as “Possibilism”
2. Humans develop better and more efficient technology with the passage of time and create possibilities with the resources obtained from the environment.
3. The human activities create cultural landscape and the imprints of human activities created everywhere
Q.7. Name some sub-fields of human geography.
Ans. Some sub-fields of human geography are: Behavioral geography, Geography of social well-being, Geography of leisure, Cultured geography, Gender geography, Historical geography, Medical geography, Electoral geography, Military geography, Geography of Resources, Geography of agriculture, Geography of industries, Geography of Marketing, Geography of Tourism and Geography of international trade.
Q.8. How is human geography related to other social sciences?
Ans. Human geography attempts to explain the relationship between all elements of human life and the space they occur over. Thus, human geography assumes a highly interdisciplinary nature. It develops close interface with sister disciplines in social sciences in order to understand and explain human elements on the surface of the earth. With the expansion of knowledge, new sub-fields emerge and it has further expanded realm of human geography.
Example; Within social geography there are following sub fields with the interface with sister disciplines of social sciences:
Behavioural geography-Psychology
Geography of social well-being- Welfare Economics
Geography of Leisure-Sociology
Cultural Geography-Anthropology
Gender Geography-Sociology, Anthropology, Women’s Studies Historical Geography-History Medical Geography-Epidemiology
Long Answer Questions (5 Mark Questions)
Q.1. “Conceptually, Neo determinism reflects a middle path between environmental determinism and possibilism”. Explain
Or
“Neo determinism is introduced by Griffith Taylor that reflects a middle path between two ideas.” Explain
Or
Mention any five features of Neo determinism.
Ans.
1. This concept was introduced by Griffith Taylor.
2. This concept gives a middle path between Environmental determinism and possibilism.
3. It focused on the creation of possibilities within the limits which do not damage the environment
4. The concept show that neither is there a situation of absolute necessity not is there a condition of absolute freedom.
5. Human beings can conquer nature by obeying it and save it from damage
6. Use of natural resources should be in limit other wise it will create environmental problems. For example reckless cutting of forests should stop due to industrialization and mining.
Q.2. What do you mean by the Humanistic approaches of human geography?
Ans.
1. It means integrating the study of human geography with the different aspects of the welfare of human being and social consciousness.
2. It was postulated in 1970 .
3. It was focused on housing, health and education
4. It emphasised on the central and active role of human beings.
5. Study of this approach focused on the causes of regional disparities, poverty, deprivation. It also focus on ways to come out of these problems.
Q.3. “To develop technology, understanding of natural laws is important” prove to statement by giving appropriate examples.
Ans.
1. Technology indicates the level of cultural development of society.
2. Human beings we able to develop technology after they developed better understanding of natural laws. For example, the understanding of concepts of friction and heat helped us discover fire.
3. Understanding of the secrets of DNA and genetics enabled us to conquer many diseases.
4. We use the laws of aerodynamics to develop faster plane.
5. Cultural environment is formed on the basis of the knowledge of nature.
Q.4. “The imprints of human activities are created everywhere.” Explain the statement with appropriate examples.
Ans. Nature provides opportunities and human being make use of these and slowly nature gets humanized and starts bearing the imprints of human endeavor for example.
1. Pastures in plains and rolling hills.
2. Use of oceanic surface in the form of oceanic routes.
3. Health resorts on highlands.
4. projection of satellites into the Space.
5. Huge urban sprawls.
Q.5. “The concerns of human geography is a long temporal continuum though the approaches to articulate them have changed over time. This dynamism in approaches shows the vibrant nature of the discipline.” Explain the approaches of geography in reference to given statement.
Ans.
1. Earlier interaction between different societies was nil and knowledge about each other was limited.
2. Travellers and explores used to disseminate information about the regions they travelled to.
3. Navigational skills were not developed and voyages were fought with dangers.
4. In the down late of 15th century in Europe, explorations about new world started and gradually myths and secrets about people and countries were started to open up.
5. During colonial period, explorations were done to boost up to reach the resources of the regions and to get inventoried information.
Q.6. “Both physical and human phenomena are described in metaphors using symbols from the human anatomy.” Describe the statement by giving suitable example.
Ans.
1. Human and nature are inseparable they are seen as integrated elements
2. In geography, both human and physical phenomena are described in metaphors using symbols from the human anatomy.
3. For Example we use the term “eyes” of storm, “Mouth” of the river, “Snout” of the glacier, neck of the isthmus, profile of the soil.
4. Regions villages and cities are described in the form of living organisms for example we call our country another land.
5. Networks of road, railways and water ways have often been described as “arteries of circulation”.
Q.7. Explain naturalization of humans.
Q.7.
Ans. Human beings interact with their physical environment with help of technology. It is not important what human beings produce and create but it is extremely important with the help of what tools and techniques do they produce and create. Technology indicates the level of social and cultural development of society.
In the early stages of their interaction with environment, human beings interacted with environment with help of primitive technology, hence nature played a dominant role over humans. Human beings were greatly influenced by nature and adapted to dictates of the nature. This type of interaction when, human society was at primitive stage of development and hence adapted itself as per the nature, is called naturalization of humans also known as environmental determinism. This is a stage of naturalized humans, who listen to nature, are afraid of nature’s fury and worship it. All the actions of human beings are guided by the nature, especially by climate, wild animals and availability of water and edible plants. At this stage due to lack of technological advancement and understanding of nature, human beings are not able to loosen the shackles of nature and hence follow it and all their actions are guided by nature. This type of interaction can still be seen in tribal societies where tribal lives’ revolve around nature and their daily routine is well knit with the natural processes.
Example; Tribals depend on the edible plants and their parts they get from nature, some of the hunter tribes hunt wild animals with help of primitive tools. They use medicines out of natural plants available. Their religious practices involve worshiping trees, forces of nature, wild groves etc.
Q.8. Write a note on the scope of human geography.
Ans. Geography as a field of study is integrative, empirical, and practical. Thus, the reach of geography is extensive and each and every phenomenon that varies over space and time can be studied geographically.
Human geography is defined as “the relationship between the physical/ natural and the human worlds, the spatial distribution of human phenomenon and how they come about, the social and economic difference between different parts of the world.” The core concern of geography as a discipline is to understand the earth as home of human beings and to study all those elements that have sustained them. Human geography covers a very wide range of fields. It not only studies presence of human phenomenon but also relationship of human and physical world, the pattern and distribution of human processes including both social and economical.
It makes study of geography more relevant as it tries to relate the physical and manmade world with full causal understanding hence making it more applicable to our daily lives. It not only helps us to understand various problems, their causes and effects, but also helps us in finding a suitable solution for them. In the present scenario with increasing discord between human beings and nature resulting in environmental destruction, human geography becomes all the more relevant as it explains the relationship between human and nature and thus assumes highly important role in helping to bring back the environmental symphony and hence saving our planet.
COMPETENCY BASED QUESTIONS
Short Answer Type Questions
1. What do you mean by ‘Dualism’ in Geography?
Ans. The teaching and learning of Geography has been a matter of debate amongst geographers. Some examples are:
1. Whether geographical phenomena be theoretically interpreted or through historic-institutional approach;
2. Whether subject matter be organised and approach to study and teach geography should be regional or systematic;
3. Whether geography as a discipline should be a law making/theorizing or descriptive
2. State some examples of metaphors used to describe the physical and human phenomena.
Ans. Some examples of metaphors used to describe the physical and human phenomena are as follows:
“Face’ of the earth.
‘Eye’ of the storm.
Regions, villages, towns have been described as ‘organisms’.
Networks of roads, railways and waterways are described as “arteries of circulation”.
“Mouth’ of the river.
‘Snout’ (nose) of the glacier.
“Neck’ of the isthmus.
“Profile’ of the soil.
3. When and how did Human Geography begin? Explain.
Ans. Human Geography may be said to have originated since man has started interacting with his environment. It has its roots deep in history. Therefore, the concerns of human geography have a long temporal continuum though approaches to articulate them have changed over time. This dynamism and changes in articulation are indicator of vibrant nature of the discipline.
In the beginning, the interaction between various societies was negligible. Therefore knowledge about each other was also limited. Travelers and explorers used to gather information before a journey and navigational skills were underdeveloped. In late 15th century, Europe witnessed attempts of explorations and the myths and mysteries about countries and people started to open up.
4. “There is no free run without accidents.” Explain.
Ans: In this statement, the thought of Possibilism in which man was taken as free, uncontrolled and master of unlimited powers has been criticized because as a consequence of free run of developed economies many problems are being faced today like green house effect, ozone layer depletion, global warming, receding glaciers, degrading lands, problem of pollution and incurable diseases.
Long Answer Type Questions
Differentiate Between:
1. Differentiate between Physical Environment and Cultural Environment.
Ans. Physical environment includes all those elements which nature has made available as free gifts
for human development. For example, land forms, soils, climate, water, natural flora and fauna, etc.
It includes all those physical-cultural elements which have been developed by man through his gained
knowledge and technology. For example, houses, villages, towns, network of roads and railways,
modes of transportation, industrial units, fields, hospitals, sports complex, means of entertainment,
markets, ports and goods of daily and special use.
2. Differentiate between Determinism and Possibilism.
Ans. According to this thought, man is a slave of nature. There is direct dependence of human beings
on nature for resources and nature is taken as a powerful force, it is worshipped, revered and
conserved. If man does not follow the dictates of nature, he has to bear with the aftermaths. Kont,
Humbolt, Ritter and German Expert Ratzel and his student Ellen Churchill Semple advocated the
philosophy of ‘Determinism.’
French geographers denied to accept determinism and considered man as master of his destiny. They
claimed that man has the ability to change the nature completely with his will power. It means that
everything is possible for man and it is called possibilism. French expert Lucian Febre and Paul Vidal
de la Blache are considered as founder of possibilism.
3. Differentiate between Regional Geography and Systematic Geography.
Ans. Under this all the geographical elements of a region are studied as one unit. And one region is
considered a different unit from another region or differentiated from another region only on the basis
of these geographical differences. We need to understand this regional difference in geographical
context. Under this special geographical elements of a regional unit are studied and which are
generally based on 5 each political units. Therefore, it is the individual study of a special geographical
feature of a region.
4. Differentiate between Humanistic or Welfare School of Thought and Behavioral School of Thought.
Ans. Welfare School of Thought was mainly concerned with the different aspects of social well-being
of the people. These included aspects such as housing, health and education. Geographers have
developed welfare as a base to study geography. This thought was the result of rapid changes that
happened after Second World War because this war gave birth to many human problems, therefore to
solve these problems, welfare or humanistic thought has developed. In 1950-60, on the basis of
psychological researches through qualitative and other methods many humanitarian aspects like
human race, caste and religion. Behavioural School of thought laid great emphasis on lived experience
and the perception of space by social categories based on ethnicity, race and religion, etc.
HIGHER ORDER THINKING QUESTIONS (HOTs)
Short Answer Type Questions
1. Which approach was followed by Lucian Febrre and Vidal De La Blache in the study of Human Geography? Mention two characteristics of this approach.
Ans. Possibilism was the approach followed by Lucian Febrre and Vidal De La Blache in the study of human geography. Its character: Humans create possibilities with the resources obtained from the environment. Lifestyles of people were the product and reflection of a civilizations.
2. What is the new concept of Griffith Taylor in the field of Human geography? Describe this concept with examples.
Ans. The concept shows that neither there is a situation of absolute necessity nor there is a condition of absolute freedom. Humans can conquer nature by obeying them. Possibilities can be created within the limits which do not damage the environment. The new concept of Griffith Taylor in the field of Human geography reflects a middle path between two ideas of environmental determinism and possibilism.
3. Define Human geography. Give four examples of elements of material culture created by humans using the resources provided by nature.
Ans. Human geography is the synthetic study of relationship between human societies and earth’s surface. Human geography is the study of changing relationship between the un-resting man and the unstable earth. Examples;- houses, villages, cities, road network, rail network, etc.
4. “The nature and human beings are so intricately intertwined that they can’t be separated”. Substantiate the statement.
Ans. Nature and human are inseparable elements. In the physical environment, man has created social-cultural environment. Social-cultural environment created by human beings through mutual interaction with each other. Thus, nature and human are intricately intertwined.
Long Answer Type Questions
1. How does technology loosen the shackles of environment on human beings? Explain with examples.
Ans. The understanding of concepts of friction and heat helped us discover fire. The understanding of
the secrets of DNA and genetics enabled us to conquer many diseases. We use the laws of
aerodynamics to develop faster planes. Human beings interact with their physical environment with the
help of technology. Technology indicates the level of cultural development of society. The human
activities create a cultural landscape such as health resorts pastures, ports, oceanic routes and satellites
in the space.
2. “The knowledge of nature is extremely important to develop technology.” Support the statement by giving three examples.
Ans. It is important to know with the help of what tools and techniques do humans produce and create.
Technology indicates the level of educational development of society. Human beings were able to
develop technology after they developed better understanding of natural laws.
OR
How is the knowledge of nature important to develop technology? Explain with suitable examples.
The understanding of concepts of friction and heat helped us discover fire. Understanding of the secrets of DNA and genetics enabled us to conquer many diseases. The laws of aerodynamics are used to develop faster planes. Knowledge about nature is extremely important to develop technology. Technology loosens the shackles of environment on human beings.
3. What is the subject-matter of the study of human geography? Explain any three facts.
Ans. To establish relationship between the physical world and the human world. To study the spatial distribution of human phenomena. To study the social and economic differences between different parts of the world. To understand the earth as home of human beings and to study all those elements which have substained them. Nature and human are inseparable elements and should be seen holistically.
4. “The knowledge and understanding of the laws of nature are extremely valuable to humankind”. Explain the values that can help to use the gifts of nature in a sustainable manner.
Ans. The knowledge and understanding of the laws of nature are extremely valuable to human kind. Human beings can conquer nature by obeying it. Possibilities can be created within the limits which do not harm the balance of nature. The developmental steps which the developed countries had taken initially have resulted in greenhouse effect, ozone layer depletion, global warming, receding glaciers and degrading lands. So it is imperative for us to use the natural resources in a judicious manner for sustainable development.
5. “Nature and humans are inseparable elements”. Justify the statement with suitable examples.
Ans. Nature and human are inseparable. The earth is the home of mankind. It may be in different forms. All types of life supports are provided by nature. They directly depend on nature. Nature and humans are inseparable and should be seen holistically. Physical features are described in metaphors using symbols from the human anatomy. For example: face of earth, nose of glacier, eye of storm, mouth of river, neck of isthmus, profile of soil etc.
6. “Nature provides opportunities and humans make use of these and slowly nature gets humanised and starts bearing the imprints of human endeavour.” Justify the statement.
Ans. ● With Social and Cultural development, humans develop better and more efficient technology.
● Humans move from a state of necessity to a state of freedom.
● They create possibilities with the resources obtained from the environment.
● The human activities create cultural landscape.
● The imprints of human activities are health resorts, huge urban sprawls, fields, orchards and pastures in plains and rolling hills, ports on the coasts and satellites in the space. (Any three points to be explained)
7. ‘The primitive communities lived in complete harmony with their natural environment and as such the humans were naturalised.” Support the statement
Ans. The primitive communities lived in complete harmony with their natural environment:
● The primitive society live in complete harmony with their natural environment.
● It is realized that in all such cases nature is a powerful force, worshiped, revered and conserved.
● There is direct dependence of human beings on nature for resources which sustain them.
● The people begin to understand their environment and the forces of nature with the passage of time.
● With social and cultural development, humans develop better and more efficient technology.
● They move from a state of necessity to a state of freedom.
● They create possibilities with the resources obtained from the environment.
● They were afraid of the fury of nature.
Question Bank
- Physical environment has been greatly modified by human beings; it has also, in turn impacted human lives. Explain the statement. (Delhi 2019)
- Analyse the ‗behavioural ‘school of thought. (Outside Delhi 2019)
- Explain the concept of possibilism with suitable examples. (C.B.S.E. 2009, 2013, Delhi 2019)
- What do you mean by Neo-. determinism? (C.B.S.E 2011)
- Explain the concept of environmental determinism with suitable examples. (C.B.S.E. 2009, Delhi 2019)
- Explain the concept of possibilism with suitable examples. (C.B.S.E. 2009, 2013, Delhi 2019)
- Nature and humans are inseparable elements‖. Justify the statement with suitable examples. (Delhi 2017)
- What is the subject matter of the study of human geography? Explain any three facts. (Delhi 2015)
- Explain with examples of how nature gets humanised. (Delhi 2014)
- Define ‗Human Geography ‘in your own words. Mention any four fields of Human Geography. (All India 2013)
- Explain the concept of ‗Neo Determinism ‘with suitable examples. (All India 2011)
- How Does technology loosen the shackles of the environment on human beings? Explain with examples. (HOTS: All CBSE 2010).
