What is human geography? How to use in English

Definition & pronunciation of human geography

human geographynoun

địa lý nhân văn

/ˌhjuːmən dʒiˈɒɡrəfi//ˌhjuːmən dʒiˈɑːɡrəfi/

Where does the word human geography come from?

The term "human geography" originated in the late 19th century as a branch of the academic discipline known as geography. At this time, geography was divided into two main sub-disciplines: physical geography, which focused on the natural features of the earth's surface, and political geography, which studied the spatial distribution of political entities such as countries and cities. Human geography emerged as a distinct field of study in the 1920s and 1930s, inspired by the growing awareness of the complex relationship between human societies and their environments. This period saw the emergence of two major theoretical perspectives within human geography: the environmental determinism and cultural ecology. Environmental determinism, initially popularized by the geographer Ellen Churchill Semple, argued that humans were shaped by the physical environment in which they lived, and that this environment determined their social, economic, and political development. Cultural ecology, which evolved from environmental determinism, positioned culture as a critical factor in human adaptation to the environment, recognizing that humans were not entirely passive in the shaping of their environment. Today, human geography continues to evolve as a dynamic and multidisciplinary field, drawing on insights from sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, and other social sciences. It examines a wide range of phenomena, from urbanization and migration to environmental change and social justice, with a focus on understanding the complex interactions between people, places, and environments.

Example of vocabulary human geographynamespace

  • In human geography, the study of urbanization has gained significant importance in recent years as population growth has led to the emergence of megacities around the world.
  • The impact of climate change on human settlements is a pressing concern in human geography, as sea-level rise and extreme weather events threaten coastal communities and low-lying areas.
  • The location of industries and businesses in urban areas is also a key focus in human geography, as it influences the distribution of employment opportunities and patterns of economic development.
  • Human geography is also concerned with the social and cultural dimensions of place, such as the ways in which historical and contemporary processes have shaped local identities and economies.
  • In the context of globalization, human geography explores the interconnectedness of local, regional, and global processes, examining the ways in which global markets, communication networks, and cultural flows transform human societies.

Synonyms and related words for human geography


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