Geography studies the location, extent, distribution, frequency and interaction of all significant elements of the human and physical environment on the
Earth's surface, particularly its features and of the distribution of life on the earth, including
human life and the effects of human activity. The word geography derives from the
Greek γη (
ge) or
γαια (
gaia) ("Earth") and
γραφειν (
graphein) ("to inscribe").
Physical geography focuses on
Earth science (and is sometimes called Earth System Science). This provides an understanding of the physical,
meteorological and
ecological patterns of the Earth.
Human geography includes
economic,
political and
cultural geography and focuses on the
social science or the non-physical aspects of the world. It examines how human beings adapt themselves to the land and how they impact the physical world.
Geographers not only study the human and natural features of the Earth but also its place in the
Solar System and the
Universe and how this affects the Earth features (e.g.
climate,
sea currents and
tides).
