INTRODUCTION TO GEOGRAPHY Lesson Note
This SS1 Geography lesson note covers INTRODUCTION TO GEOGRAPHY for First Term, Week 1.
Learning Objectives
- At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
- i). Define Geography.
- ii). Explain the meaning and scope of Geography.
- iii) Identify the two major branches of Geography.
- iv). State the importance of Geography in everyday life.
Lesson Note
MEANING
Geography can be defined as the description (geo) of the earth (graphe). ‘Geo’ and ‘Graphe’ are Greek words.
Geography can also be seen as the study of people, their activities, places and physical things on and beneath the Earth.
Furthermore, Geography studies different people in their respective location on the earth including their activities, such as manufacturing, mining, agriculture, fishing, construction, trading amongst others. It also has to do with the study of places such as Germany, Ghana, Nigeria, Lagos, Kogi, Oshodi, Lokoja, Mafoluku, Lokongoma and Edun e.t.c
SCOPE OF GEOGRAPHY
Geography is a social science subject that deals with the study of man and his activities within his environment.
More importantly, Geography touches many other spheres such as Economics, Agricultural science, history, Government, Mathematics to mention but a few. It is a versatile subject which cut across many disciplines of study. Interestingly, some non-Geographers refer to it as a prostitute subject.
BRANCHES OF GEOGRAPHY
There are two main branches of Geography, these are:
1. Physical Geography: These Studies natural features of the Earth such as mountains, rivers, climate, vegetation, and soils.
2. Human Geography: These has to do with human activities and how people interact with the environment, including population, culture, agriculture, transportation, and urban development.
IMPORTANCE OR VALUES OF GEOGRAPHY
i). It helps us to understand our environment: Geography enables us to study physical things around us like soil, climate, vegetation, rivers, oceans, mountains, valleys amongst others.
ii). Understanding people’s way of life: Geography enables us to understand the way of life of people in different part of the world. Without Geography, it would have been very difficult to understand and study people in different part of the world such as the Australians, Germans, Americans, Africans, Lagosian amongst others
iii). Utilization of Natural resources: Geography Helps us to harness and utilise our natural resources for the optimum benefit of the masses. We tend to understand the type of crop to grow through the climate of an area, we derived timber with the presence of some vegetations. Rivers help in transportation, generation of electricity and also provide aquatic food such as fish, prawn crabs e.t.c
iv). It makes us versatile: Geography Helps us to understand certain areas of other field of study such as biology, agricultural science, history, economics, Mathematics to mention but few. Thus making us versatile.
v). Professional benefit: Geography enables us to choose a career such as in land surveying, Architecture, Urban and regional planning, Estate management. These career will enable us earn a living and contribute to the economic growth and development of our nation, other nations and the world at large.
Evaluation
OBJECTIVES
1. Geography is the study of:
A. Animals only
B. The Earth, its features, and human activities
C. Computers only
D. Medicines only
2. The word "Geography" is derived from which language?
A. English
B. Latin
C. Greek
D. French
3. The Greek word "Geo" means: A. Water
B. Earth
C. Air
D. Fire
4. The Greek word "Graphe" means: A. Reading
B. Writing or description
C. Measuring
D. Painting
5. Which of the following is an importance of Geography? A. It helps us understand the environment.
B. It teaches only mathematics.
C. It replaces all other subjects.
D. It is useful only for entertainment.
6. Which of the following is NOT a value of studying Geography? A. It helps in environmental conservation.
B. It assists in planning and development.
C. It promotes understanding of different cultures.
D. It discourages people from learning about the Earth.
7. The scope of Geography includes the study of: A. Physical and human environments
B. Music and dance only
C. Computer programming only
D. Medicine only
8. Which branch of Geography studies landforms, climate, and vegetation? A. Human Geography
B. Economic Geography
C. Physical Geography
D. Political Geography
9. Human Geography is mainly concerned with the study of: A. Human activities and settlements
B. Rocks and minerals
C. Oceans only
D. Stars and planets
10. Which of the following best describes the scope of Geography? A. It studies only countries.
B. It studies only weather.
C. It studies the Earth, people, places, and their interactions.
D. It studies only animals.
Theory Questions
1a) What is Geography?
b) Explain the TWO major branches of Geography.
2a) State three areas covered under the scope of Geography.
b) List four importance of studying Geography.