BGGCT-132 Solved Assignment 2024
Part-A All Questions are compulsory and carry 10 marks each.
Answer:
1. Early Developments in Human Geography (Ancient to Medieval Period)
During the ancient and medieval periods, human geography was primarily concerned with describing and understanding the spatial organization of human societies. Key developments include:
Greek and Roman Contributions: Greek scholars like Strabo and Ptolemy made significant contributions to early human geography. They created maps and wrote about the characteristics of different regions.
Islamic Geography: Islamic scholars such as Al-Idrisi and Ibn Battuta contributed to geography through their travel accounts and maps, which provided valuable insights into the spatial distribution of cultures and civilizations.
European Exploration: The Age of Exploration in the 15th to 17th centuries led to increased knowledge of the world's geography. Explorers like Columbus, Vasco da Gama, and Magellan expanded European understanding of global geography.
2. Developments in the Enlightenment and Colonial Period (18th to 19th Century)
During this period, human geography began to take a more systematic and scientific approach. Key developments include:
Enlightenment Thinkers: Philosophers like Montesquieu and Rousseau contributed to the development of human geography by discussing the relationship between humans and their environment.
Colonial Geography: European colonial powers conducted extensive geographical surveys of their colonies, leading to the mapping and categorization of new territories.
Quantitative Revolution: The 19th century saw the emergence of quantitative methods in geography, with scholars like Carl Ritter and Alexander von Humboldt emphasizing the importance of empirical observation and measurement.
3. Modern Developments in Human Geography (20th Century to Present)
The 20th century witnessed significant advancements in human geography, with a focus on understanding the social, economic, and cultural aspects of human societies. Key developments include:
Environmental Determinism vs. Possibilism: Early 20th-century debates between environmental determinists and possibilists shaped the way geographers understood the relationship between humans and their environment.
Spatial Analysis: The rise of spatial analysis and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) revolutionized human geography, allowing geographers to analyze spatial patterns and relationships more effectively.
Critical Geography: In recent decades, critical geography has emerged as a response to traditional approaches, emphasizing the importance of power dynamics, social justice, and environmental sustainability in understanding human-environment interactions.
Overall, the evolution of human geography has been marked by a shift from descriptive to analytical approaches, with an increasing focus on understanding the complex interactions between humans and their environment.