Geography and Environment
- S1: Geography TG File Uploaded 16/08/22, 09:52
- S1: Geography SB File Uploaded 16/08/22, 09:56
Unit 1: Introduction to Geography
Unit objectives
Definition of geographyTo be able to determine the importance of geography and its relationship with other subjects
By the end of this unit, you must be able to:
(a) define geography
(b) identify the main branches of geography
(c) state the importance of geography
(d) state different sources of geographical information
(e) identify the relationships between geography and other subjects.
The word geography is derived from two Greek words; geo and graphein. Geo means “the Earth” and graphein or grapho means to “write, draw, or describe.” The two words are joined form one word “geographia”, which stands for “writing about the Earth.” It also means describing the Earth, Earth description or to draw about the Earth.” The term geography was first used in 240 B.C. It was introduced by a Greek philosopher known as Eratosthenes. He published a book about the earth and named it geography. According to this Greek scholar, geography is defined as writing about the planet Earth. His book contributed a lot to the understanding of the Earth. He is regarded as “the father of geography”. Later on, other authors advanced various definitions of geography. They include the following.
Geography is the study of humans and their surroundings.
Geography is the study of the relationships existing between human beings and the environment.
Geography is a science that studies and describes the surface of the earth.
It describes its physical, biological, political and economic characteristics of the Earth.
Geography is the study of humans and their surroundings.
Geography is the study of the relationships existing between human beings and the environment.
Geography is a science that studies and describes the surface of the earth.
It describes its physical, biological, political and economic characteristics of the Earth.
Therefore, geography can be defined as the scientific study of the description and interrelationship of physical and human features on the Earth’s surface.
Do the following in groups of three.
1. Using your school’s surroundings, identify physical features and relate them to your existence.
2. Discuss how the geographical features you have identified help you to understand the meaning of geography.
3. Write down your findings in a notebook.
4. Make a presentation of your findings in class and discuss with the other class members.
Do the following in pairs.
1. Use coloured pencils, pencils, art books and paint to draw and colour the following.
(a) Your homestead and its surroundings.
(b) People fishing on a lake.
(c) Your school and its surrounding.
2. For each drawing, briefly describe the relationship between humans and the components of the environment
Do the following in pairs.
1. Identify the natural features in Figure 1.2.
2. Suggest how it is useful to the people who live here
In groups of five, do the following under the guidance of your teacher.
1. Go to your school garden and collect samples of soil, stones and plants.
2. Write the names of the samples in your notebooks.
3. Relate the soil samples to the human activities.
4. Present your findings in class.
1. Briefly define the term geography.
2. Explain the meaning of the following.
(a) geoTask 1.1
(b) graphein
(c) geographia.
3. Giving specific reasons, explain why Eratosthenes is very important in geography.
4. Identify the relationship that exists between man and the following physical features.
(a) Lakes
(b) Forests
(c) Land and soils
(d) Atmosphere
(e) Rivers.Branches of geography
There are two major branches of geography, namely:
(a) Physical geography
(b) Human and economic geography.Physical geography
Physical geography is a branch of geography that deals with the study of the physical environment of humans. It studies the natural features that have a direct relationship with the activities of humans. It deals with geographical features that are found on or near the earth’s surface.
The major aspects studied under physical geography include the following.
(a) Drainage (rivers, lakes, swamps and other wetlands).
(b) Vegetation.
(c) Weather and climate (climatology).
(d) Relief (landforms such as mountains, highlands and plains).
Fig 1.3 Birunga Mountains in northern Rwanda and prominent physical features.
(e) The structure of the earth (internal and external parts of the earth).
(f) The earth and universe.
(g) The internal land-forming processes (endogenic processes).
The external land-forming processes (exogenic processes). (i) Rocks and soils (geology).
(i) Rocks and soils (geology).
Table 1.1: Sub-divisions of physical geography .
Sub-division Specific area of geography Biogeography This is the study of the animals and plants found on the earth’s surface and their relationship with mankind. Climatology This is the study that is concerned with climate and all its associated geographical aspects. Geomorphology This is the study of landforms – their formation and influence on humans’ way of living. Lithology This is the study that deals with rocks and soils. It looks at their type, characteristics, formation and influence on human activities and the environment. Hydrography This is the study of rivers, lakes, seas, oceans, swamps – their features, formation and types and their role in landform formation. It also looks at their influence on the environment and on humans’ way of living. 
Do the following in pairs.
1. Define the following sub-divisions of physical geography.
(a) Drainage
(b) Lithology
(c) Relief
(d) Geomorphology
2. Discuss your findings in class.Task 1.2
1. (a) Outline the main branches of geography.
(b) Describe the following, giving examples of each:
(i) physical features
(ii) human activities.
2. Explain two reasons why physical features are important in our lives.
3. Physical features have advantages and disadvantages. Name the ways in which they are:
(a) advantageous
(b) disadvantageous.Human and economic geography
Do these individually.
1. Using the Internet, geographical documents and knowledge learnt in class, research on how physical features can be protected.
2. Do you think it is necessary to protect the physical features in our environment?
3. Discuss your findings in class.
In groups of five, do the following.
1. Visit the communities around your school.
2. Identify ways in which the people utilise the resources in the environment for their benefit.
3. Write your findings in your notebook.
4. Discuss your findings in class.
Human and economic geography is a branch of geography that deals with the study of human beings and their activities on the earth’s surface. It examines what human beings do on or near the earth’s surface. Human and economic geography analyses the role of humans in the world. It looks at what humans have done and the outcomes of their actions to the environment.
Fig 1.5 Environmental degradation at a site in Gicumbi district as a result of human activity.
Human and economic geography includes the following geographical aspects:
• Mining
• Forestry
• Agriculture
• Trade and commerce
• Power and energy
• Pollution
• population
• Settlement
• Urbanisation
• Industrialisation
• Tourism
• Conservation and management of natural resources
1. Using the photograph of Figure 1.6:
(a) identify the economic activities being carried out
(b) suggest reasons why it is necessary for the activity to be carried out.
2. Using the same photograph, explain the effects of the activity on the environment.
3. What suggestions would you give on how to care for and protect their surroundings? Use the knowledge you have learnt so far.
Fig 1.6
Task 1.3
2. State examples of activities studied in human and economic geography.
3. Name and describe at least four branches of human geography.
4. Distinguish between physical geography and human geographyPractical geography
Read the passage below in groups and answer the questions that follow.
Akaliza’s day out “Pack your bags we will be going for a trip tomorrow,” Father said. My siblings and I were all so excited that we hardly slept that night. The next morning, we left for our destination.There we were, in the land of beautiful mountains, Musanze district. I must admit I was stunned by the beautiful scenery. We went to climb Mount Karisimbi. However, I was afraid and did not climb with the rest. When my family members came down they told me about all the things they had seen. They also showed me pictures of the famous crater lake on Mount Karisimbi. We then went to see Mount Sabyinyo. We saw its top sharp peaks. We learnt that it got its name from those “sharp peaks”. We also saw gorillas and monkeys at the Volcanoes National Park. The gorillas looked scary at first, but later, I found them to be friendly when treated well. In the afternoon, we travelled to Burera to visit the Ntaruka hydropower plant. We learnt about how electricity is produced. Lake Ruhondo supplies water to the Ntaruka hydropower station. I learnt that Musanze district has many trees and volcanic mountains. It also has a cold climate. Its main cash crops are pyrethrum and tea, while its food crop is the Irish potatoes. The following morning we left Musanze for Rubavu in Western Province. We visited the hot springs. The water was steaming hot. Our guide put an egg in the hot water. In about two minutes, the egg was fully cooked. After that, we visited Lake Kivu. There, we saw fishermen at work and people swimming.Lastly, we visited the Bralirwa breweries. Later we travelled back to Kigali. We thanked Father for the trip. We had learnt a lot and had lots of fun.
(a) Suggest a suitable title for this passage.
(b) Name the physical landforms mentioned in the story.
(c) Identify the human activities mentioned in the passage.
(d) Using the geographical knowledge, you have describe how one can conserve and protect the environment in Musanze district.
(e) Use a map of Rwanda to identify Musanze and Rubavu districts, respectively.
(f) On the maps, point out the location of some of the physical features that Akaliza and her family visited.
Practical geography: is a minor branch of geography. It deals with scientific approaches that are aimed towards collecting, studying, analysing, recording and interpreting geographical data. This is done in a practical way hence the name practical geography.
This includes the following.
• Fieldwork studies.
• Maps and map work.
• Statistical methods such as divided circles and graphs.
• Photographic interpretation, where various physical and human features are recorded in the form of photographs for further interpretation.
This branch enables learners to further understand what is studied in theory in class. It also relates different geographical aspects to the real world. For example, when studying fishing, one goes out to the field to study the practice on a lake or river.
Importance of geography
Geography is a subject that directly deals with different aspects of life. Studying geography as a subject is important in the following ways:
(a) Geography creates a platform for learners to research on different topics. This equips them with research and analytical skills.
(b) Geography assists learners to know the outside world as they do their research.
(c) It gives learners the knowledge and skills that enable them to understand their environment.
(d) Geography enables humans to understand problems that face the community. They therefore work towards finding solutions.
(e) Geographical studies and research findings are helpful to the government and related agencies during the formulation of policies.
(f) Geography equips an individual with knowledge of the relationships of people from different countries.
(g) Geography provides guidance to leaders on how to allocate national resources to all parts of the country.
(i) Geography equips people with problem solving skills.
(j) Human and economic geography provides learners with the knowledge on the available resources that humans can utilize for survival.
(k) Geography provides learners with a strong foundation in understanding other subjects of equal importance such as Physics, Mathematics and Economics.
(l) Geography assists learners to develop the spirit of cooperation through teamwork during fieldwork studies
Work in groups.
1. Under the guidance of your teacher, visit the community living near your school.
2. Observe the farming methods they use and the soil conservation measures they have put in place.
3. Record your findings in a note book.
4. Discuss the findings of different groups in class.
Work in pairs.
Use the Internet, your personal experience and geographical documents to do the following:
1. Find out the contribution of geography to the socio-economic development of Rwanda.
2. Discuss and write down your findings.
3. Present your findings in class.
Do the following under the guidance of your teacher.
1. Visit the community around your school.
2. Study the influence of geography on land-use patterns and on socioeconomic development.
3. Write down the findings of your group.
4 Present your findings in a class discussion.
In groups, read the passage provided below and answer the questions that follow.
Mr. Hakizimana, was commissioned to conduct a study in the Eastern Province of Rwanda. The study was on the land use patterns in the province. He decided to visit the governor of the province. At the governor’s office, he was received by the secretary. As he waited for his turn to see the governor, he asked to use the Internet. He was allowed to and he immediately started using his laptop. He searched for information about land uses in the Eastern Province. As time went by, he saw a pile of journals on a table at the corner of the reception office. His attention shifted to them. He began reading them one by one.
Shortly after, he was asked to get into the governor’s office. They discussed the economic activities of the Eastern Province. He got a lot of information which he wrote in his notebook. He was also given a map and was referred to the museum.
As he left, he met an elderly man who was familiar to him. The man had lived in the province for a long time. They greeted each other and began talking about land use in the province. As they talked about agriculture in the region, Mr. Hakizimana wrote notes. When they finished the discussion, he thanked the old man and left for his home.
On his way back, he kept looking out of the taxi window. He saw various plants, settlements, industries and rice growing in valleys. He was impressed by what he saw.
The following day, he visited the public library at Nyagatare. He read books that had information about the Eastern Province.
The next morning, he visited the fields in Gashora area. He interacted with the farmers, traders and school administrators in the nearby areas. He then went back home and began writing on the topic he had been given. After two weeks, he was able to present the findings of his study.
(a) Who was the researcher mentioned in the story?
(b) Why do you think the researcher decided to visit the governor of the Eastern Province?
(c) Why was Mr. Hakizimana carrying a bag full of books, journals and magazines?
(d) Name the sources of geographical information mentioned in the story.
(e) Name some of the things that impressed him as he looked outside through the taxi window.
Sources of geographical information
Sources of geographical information refer to the different materials that a geographer uses to obtain information.
There are many sources of geographical information depending on the type of data or information that is required. The following are the most commonly used sources.
(a) Textbooks
These are geographical documents that have a lot of information concerning specific geographical aspects. They are the most common source of information used by geographical researchers. Textbooks are usually written by professionals and well informed authors.
Fig 1.7 Geography textbooks
(b) Mass media
This refers to the means of public communication that reach large audiences. Mass media includes radio, television, magazines and newspapers.
Fig 1.8 Geographical magazines.
Mass media always has geographical programmes with information that is helpful to geographers. Examples of geographical programmes on television can be found on the National Geographic channel. The programmes tackle issues like the environment, wildlife, rocks and physical features.
(c) Atlases
An atlas is a collection of maps. An atlas is a map of the Earth or a region on the Earth. However, there are also atlases of other planets and their satellites in the solar system. Atlases usually present geographic features, political boundaries and geopolitical, social, religious and economic statistics.
Fig 1.9 Atlases.
(d) Maps
A map is a diagrammatic representation of an area of land or sea. It shows physical features such as mountains, rivers and lakes. A map may also show economic activities, natural resources and land use.
Administrative Divisions of Rwanda
Fig 1.10 A map of Rwanda showing administrative district boundaries.
(e) Graphs
A graph is a two-dimensional drawing that shows a relationship usually between two sets of numbers. This is shown by means of lines curve, a series of bars or other symbols. A set of variables are represented on both the x and y axes. A variable is a factor or figure that can change.
An independent variable is a factor or figure that does not depend on another variable to change. It is usually represented on the x-axis. In Figure 1.11, the years 2006-2014 are independent variables.
A dependent variable is a factor or figure that changes and is dependent on another factor. It is usually represented on the y-axis. In Fig 1.11, the billion US dollars are the dependent variables.
Source: tradingeconomics.com/worldbank
Fig 1.11 Graph showing Rwanda’s GDP between 2006 and 2014
(f) Billboards
A billboard is a large outdoor advertising structure. They are usually erected along busy roads. Billboards present advertisements to pedestrians and motorists. They can also be a source of geographical information such as the one shown in Figure 1.12.
Fig 1.12 A billboard advertising the mountain gorillas of the Virunga Mountains
(g) Libraries
A library is a place where books, documents, documentaries and films are stored. A library is a very reliable source of information. Geographers can visit libraries to read about the findings of other past geographers. These findings are usually documented in books. Examples of libraries in Rwanda include the Kigali Public Library and the National Library of Rwanda.
Fig 1.13 Students studying inside the Kigali Public Library
These are people who may be experienced, skilled, unskilled or ordinary locals.
Fig 1.14 A resource person guiding students in a fieldwork study.
These people usually have relevant geographical information concerning different features, activities or areas. Such people usually give dependable data or information that geographers use in their work. They are usually very useful in fieldwork or as additional sources of information in classwork .
(i) Internet
This is the most used source of geographical information. It is used by many researchers. Researchers look for information from different sites.
Fig 1.15 Children using laptops.
Different researchers, scholars and authors post their information and findings on the internet. Over the internet, sites such as http://images.nationalgeographic. com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/728/ cache/gorilla-volcanoes-national-parkrwanda_72891_990x742.jpg provide a lot of information that can be used to get data. The internet is accessed by use of computers or smart phones.
(j) Physical environment
This includes humans and their surroundings. The surroundings are made up of natural features such as mountains, hills and water bodies. The physical environment is a reliable source of geographical information.
Fig 1.16 Students during a field study.
It enables the geographer to get first-hand information on different geographical phenomena. This information is used to enrich geography as a subject.
(k) Museums
Museums are places selected for storing a variety of historical and geographical information and artefacts. In such places, various data are kept. A museum is very important in gathering information on the past historical and geographical events. The following are some of the museums in Rwanda.
Natural History Museum (Kandt House) located at Nyarugenge in Kigali.
• Ethnographic Museum located at Huye.
• Presidential Palace Museum located at Kanombe in Kigali.
• National Liberation Park Museum known as Umurindi w’intwari.
• Environmental Museum located at Karongi.
• King’s Palace Museum located at Rukari in Nyanza.
Fig 1.18 Animal artefacts at the Natural History Museum.
Do this in pairs.
1. Study the photograph of Figure 1.17 and use it to answer the questions that follow.
Fig 1.17
(a) What can you see in the photograph?
(b) Who used to stay in such huts?
(c) Give three reasons why we should protect such historical sites.
(d) Where are such sites found in Rwanda?
2. Discuss your finding in class.
The relationship between geography and other subjects
Geography as a subject cuts across many other disciplines. There is a strong relationship between geography and other disciplines such as history, mathematics, physics, chemistry, economics, medicine and entrepreneurship. Below is a brief description of the relationship between geography and the other subjects:
(a) Mathematics
Geography as a subject involves many calculations. They include determining the areas of given locations and lengths of roads or rivers. Climatic aspects such as relative humidity, temperature range and averages are also calculated.
(b) Chemistry
There is a direct relationship between chemistry and studies in geography. This applies to chemical and mineral compositions of rocks, chemical weathering and gases in the atmosphere.
(c) Physics
There are areas in geography that have a relationship with certain concepts studied in physics. They include topics like waves that are found in earthquakes and the influence of gravity in mass wasting.
(d)Entrepreneurship education
Entrepreneurship is a discipline that deals with the selection of business opportunities. These opportunities are based on the local environment. The available resources are utilised in the production of goods. The goods are sold to make profits as well as to satisfy people’s needs. Similarly, geography is concerned with natural resources and the environment.
(e) Agriculture
Agriculture deals with the cultivation of the ground for crop production and the keeping of livestock. Various geographical aspects such as climate, soils and topography affect agriculture in different ways.
(f) Biology and ecology
Biology is the study of living things. Plants, animals and their environment are also important in geography. Ecology on the other hand is the study of the relationship between living organisms and their environment. It is also a function of geography.
(g) Meteorology and climatology
Meteorology is concerned with short-term weather conditions. Activities such as fishing and agriculture are influenced by the weather. Climatology on the other hand deals with long-term weather conditions. Climate determines the economic activities and vegetation in a given area.
This discipline deals with the history and structure of the earth in relation to rocks. Geography is also concerned with such characteristics as colour, hardness and the chemical composition of rocks.
(i) Pedology
This is the study of soils. It deals with the nature of the soil, its formation, its characteristics and variation.
(j) Economics
This refers to the conditions and laws affecting production, distribution and consumption of resources. The exploitation of natural resources is regulated by economics.
(k) Demography
This is concerned with human population and its characteristics. It looks at birth rates, death rates, population sizes .
Did you know?
The ancient Greek scholar Eratosthenes is known as the father of geography.
• Geography is related to almost everything that concerns our world.
• Geography provides solutions to environmental and social problems.
• Geography is linked to all other disciplines under study.
• Geography studies real places and real processes.
1. (a) Define geography.
(b) Name the two branches of geography.
(i) _______
(ii) _______
2. Give five examples of aspects studied under physical geography.
3. Write short notes on the following:
Term Description Biogeography _________ Climatology _________
Geomorphology _________
4. Giving specific examples, describe the major sources of geographical information.(a) __________
(b) __________
(c) __________
Essay
5. “Studying geography is important in Rwanda’s education system.” Support this statement.