Geography Matters
What is geography, exactly? Geography is the study of how humans interact with their environment over time and space. Geographers do more than just ask and answer questions about where things are. We also ask: How? Why? What if?
Geography has two primary disciplines: physical geography and human geography.
Physical Geography
Physical geographers are interested in the spatial characteristics of the environment. A physical geographer studies the patterns of climates, landforms, vegetation, soils, and water. How did they develop? Why did they develop that way in that place? How do they interact with one another? How do they change over time and space? When, where, how and why do these changes impact other living creatures, including humans? How do the way living creatures interact with their environment in one place impact the environment, not only in their place, but other places as well, over time and space?
Human Geography
Human Geographers are interested in the spatial and temporal interaction of humans. Human geographers see space and place as integral to human activity and organization. We analyze a variety of disciplines through a spatial and temporal lens.
We want to know where, how and why space, place, scale, landscape, mobility and nature impact history, culture, economic activity, health, politics, populations, transportation and land use. Depending on our field of interest, human geographers may examine transnational linkages, urban hierarchies, migration patterns, the spread of diseases, or land use adaptations over time and space.
We may examine the impacts of tax policies, regulation and legislation on economic activities. We may ask questions such as: How do gender and culture influence medical care outcomes? What role does residential location play in access to economic opportunities? How does tourism impact culture and local economic opportunities? Why have some communities succeeded in developing and sustaining vibrant entrepreneurial communities while others have not?
Are you wondering how geography could improve your business, your life decisions or your community? Contact me and we’ll talk. Subscribe to our newsletter to learn more.