Thursday 6 October 2016

Geography

Geography

Geography- the Science of Earth, is a diverse term which deals with aerial differentiation of the surface of the earth. Derived from the Greek words 'Geo or Gaea' ( Earth) and 'graphein' (to describe or to map), geography literally means 'to describe or write about the earth'. Hence geography can be described as the study of earth; location and distribution of its physical and cultural features; land forms; climate; soils; vegetation; mineral; water and human resources. Geography is not a mere academic subject, but it involves finding out the facts on earth. The individuals associated with geography are called Geographers.

Geographers are scientists who study about the physical details of the environment, its effects on human and wildlife, weather and climate patterns, economics and culture. The Greek Scholar of third century BC, Eratosthenes who had calculated the circumference of the earth for the first time is considered as the father of Geography while Alexander Von Humboldt is regarded as the founder of modern geography. The modern geographer's scope extends far beyond describing the earth.

Physical Geography and Human Geography are the major branches of Geography which are closely inter connected. Also known as Geosystems or Physiography, Physical geography is the study of physical features of earth such as rivers, landforms, climate, hazards and many more that occupies the atmosphere, biosphere and geosphere. It is further subdivided into geomorphology, hydrology, coastal geography, oceanography, quaternary science, landscape ecology, climatology and environmental geography. Human geography deals with the study of human, political, economic, social and cultural activities. The subdivision of human geography includes economic geography, cultural geography, political geography, health geography, urban geography, historical geography, marketing geography and social geography. 

Geography provides numerous options for those who have a keen interest in subjects like countries, people, economy, climate etc. Due of the latest technological developments like Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System (GIS), careers in geography are becoming more promising and challenging than ever before. Remote Sensing is the science that acquires information about an object, area or anything, without direct contact with the objects. The information's are transferred with the help of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) which is a form of energy that reveals its presence by the observable effects it produces when it strikes the matter. GIS is a computer based information system which is used to digitally represent and analyze the geographic features present on the earth surface and the events that take place on it. In GIS data collection, GPS (Global Positioning System) technology which uses satellites and computers to compute positions anywhere on earth with unequalled accuracy and flexibility, has tremendous amount of applications.

Eligibility & Course Areas

Graduation in Geography is the basic qualification needed to get into the field of geography. But for enhanced career prospects, masters and doctoral degrees are essential. Various institutes and universities in India offer courses in various field of geography. 

Candidates who have passed 10+2 with high marks in social sciences including geography or equivalent can apply for the bachelors course in geography which is offered in both arts and science stream (i.e B.A Geography and B.Sc. Geography). A base in Maths, statistics and computer science is needed in graduate studies. On completion of bachelor's degree, an aspirant can do masters/ M.Phil/ Ph.D programs. Bachelor degree with a minimum of 50% marks is required for masters degree and at the master level one can choose any specialized courses in geography like cartography, urban and town planning, regional planning, physiography, climatology, oceanography, population studies, environmental geography etc. Some institutes offer courses in Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) like courses in Geo informatics which are the most demanded module of this era. 

A course in geography covers almost all the subjects such as environment, people, economy, ocean, physical features of earth, agriculture, natural resources etc.

Personal skill:

Perceptive and probing mind, keen observation, analytical and logical thinking and computer skills are the much needed qualification in the field of geography. Interest in mathematics and science can help one to be good in this profession and as any other careers, communication skill plays a major role. Field work sometimes may require travel to remote and less developed areas, Geographers must be physically fit and be healthy to work in any situation & locale, and must keep an updated data regarding the earth and the changes occurring. They should enjoy travelling, reading, studying and be able to work independently.

Job Prospects & Career Options

Many Government and non-government institutes along with research centers offers several career options for qualified geographers with numerous specializations. Some of the specialized areas are
     •   Economic Geography: Economic geography is the study of geographic location, distribution and spatial organization of economic activities. Economic geographers analysis economic problem in terms of space, place and scale. 
     •  Cultural Geography: Cultural geography focus on analyzing the cultural phenomenon which includes the study language, religion, economy and much more.
     •  Political Geography: Political geography is about the political process in relation with spatial structures and it studies the relationship between the government and people, trades and treaties, political power, boundaries and policies etc.
     •  Historical Geography: Historical geography deals with all the physical, fictional, theoretical geographies of the past. It also includes how the people intermingled with the environment and created the cultural features
     •  Tourism Geography: Tourism geography is the study of travel and how the environment and its features help in the tourism aspects of a specified area. 
     •  Transportation Geography: Transportation geography can be considered as a branch of economic geography which explores the spatial interaction or movement of goods, information and people.  
     •  Regional Geography: Regional geography examines the exclusive characteristics of both the nature and human of a region.
     •  Medical Geography: Also known as the health geography, medical geography is the research on health and spread of diseases in the world. It also looks into how climate effect human's health. 
     •  Geomorphology: It is the scientific study of landforms and the processes that shape them. 
     •  Hydrology: Hydrology explores the water resources and water cycle. Chemical hydrology, ecohydrology, hydrogeology, hydroinformatics, Isotope hydrology, Hydrometeorology, and Surface hydrology are the branches of hydrology.
     •  Glaciology: One of the major areas of polar research, Glaciology is the study of different forms of ice which also includes the history and future of glaciers. 
     •  Biogeography: It is all about the study of bio diversity of an area. The biogeographer learns about the harmony of life and it's surroundings. 
     •  Climatology: It deals with the study of weather conditions of the nation.

Other areas of specialisations are Pedology, Palaeogeography, Coastal geography, Oceanography, Quaternary science, Landscape ecology, Geomatics, Environmental geography etc
Depending on their area of specialization, geographers may be employed as forest managers or in agricultural or economic institutes or as Demographers in government and research organizations. Central government agencies may employ geographers for mapping, intelligence work and remote sensing interpretation. State and local governments employ geographers on planning and development commissions. They also join in NGOs and other developmental agencies engaged in population studies, rural development and environmental issues. Urban planning, transportation planning, travel/tourism planning, solid-waste disposal systems, emergency services and social services are other options. 
Those with masters and Ph.D. degree can choose the field of teaching. A geography background is an asset for careers in travel and tourism, particularly for travel Journalism. Text book and map publishers, travel agencies, manufacturing firms, real estate developers and insurance, communication and transportation companies employ geographers. Those with additional training in economics, sociology, urban planning etc along with geography have a wider range of job opportunities and can work in many other fields. 
Geography also helps in competitive examinations and general knowledge papers. 
Other than becoming a geographer, geography also offers a number of career options for a professionally qualified personal like.
     • Cartographer: These are the persons who are specialized in making maps, charts, globes and models of earth. 
     •  Surveyor: The technique or science of measuring the position, distance and the angles of earthly surface is known as surveying. Surveyors map the surface of the earth through mathematical observations and field work. One can specialize in surveying, either by joining the Survey of India or state Survey Departments or Private organizations.
     •  Drafter: Drafters associate closely with engineers and architectures, as their work involves planning, housing and development projects in terms of their location and utilization of space.
     •  GIS Specialist: GIS specialist collects, orders and does research on the data collected by the GIS.
     •  Remote Sensing Specialist: Studies of quickly changing phenomena such as floods, draught and forest fires, etc. Remote sensing satellites provide a variety of information about the earth's surface.
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