ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND MANAGEMENT
ENV 203/GEO 205: INTRODUCTION TO GEOGRAPHY
LECTURE 02
SPRING SEMESTER 2022
PROFESSOR DR. MD. MIZANUR RAHMAN (RMR)
Department of Environmental Science and Management
North South University
Course No. ENV 203/GEO 205
TODAY‟S LECTURE CONTENT…
THIS LECTURE WILL COVER…
1.
History of Geography
2.
Greek Period
3.
Roman Period
4.
Muslim Period
5.
Modern Era
6.
Man-Environment Interrelationship
7.
Scientific Revolution
Department of Environmental Science and Management
North South University
Course No. ENV 203/GEO 205
HISTORY OF GEOGRAPHY
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF GEOGRAPHY…
The first truly geographical studies
occurred more than 4000 years ago
when explorers began traveling to
new lands.
The Chinese, Egyptian and
Phoenician civilizations were
beginning to explore the places and
spaces within and outside their
homelands.
The earliest evidence of geographic
explorations comes from the
archaeological discovery of a
Babylonian clay tablet map that
dates back to 2300 BC.
Department of Environmental Science and Management
North South University
Course No. ENV 203/GEO 205
HISTORY OF GEOGRAPHY
EARLY GREEK GEOGRAPHERS…
Eratosthenes
ERATOSTHENES…
The Greeks were the first civilization to practice
a form of Geography that was more than just
map making.
Greek philosophers and scientists were
interested in learning about spatial nature of
human and physical features found on the Earth.
Ancient Greek Scholar Eratosthenes first coined
the word „Geography‟.
World map
according to
Eratosthenes
Date: 194 BC
Department of Environmental Science and Management
North South University
Course No. ENV 203/GEO 205
HISTORY OF GEOGRAPHY
EARLY GREEK GEOGRAPHERS…
Eratosthenes
The Greeks defined Geography as „Description of
the Earth‟.
Eratosthenes (276-194BC) calculated the
equatorial circumference of the earth to be
40233 kilometers using simple geometric
relationship.
This primitive calculation was unusually
accurate. Modern satellite computed the
circumference to be 40072 kilometers.
Showing circumference of the
planet Earth.
Department of Environmental Science and Management
North South University
Course No. ENV 203/GEO 205
HISTORY OF GEOGRAPHY
Aristotle
EARLY GREEK GEOGRAPHERS…
ARISTOTLE & HERODOTUS…
Aristotle (384-322BC) hypothesized and
scientifically demonstrated that the Earth had a
spherical shape using evidence from
observations of lunar eclipses.
Herodotus (484-425BC) wrote a number of
volumes that described the Human and Physical
Geography of the various regions of the Persian
Empire.
Herodotus
World map according to
Herodotus
Department of Environmental Science and Management
North South University
Course No. ENV 203/GEO 205
HISTORY OF GEOGRAPHY
EARLY ROMAN GEOGRAPHERS…
Strabo
STRABO & PTOLEMY…
Greek accomplishments in Geography were
passed on to the Romans.
Strabo (64BC-20AD) wrote a 17 volume series
called „Geographia‟ in which he described the
cultural geographies of various societies found
from all over the world.
Ptolemy
Ptolemy (100-178) contributed world map with
projection, coordinate system and locations for
some 8000 places on the earth.
Department of Environmental Science and Management
North South University
Course No. ENV 203/GEO 205
HISTORY OF GEOGRAPHY
EARLY ROMAN GEOGRAPHERS…
STRABO & PTOLEMY‟S WORLD MAP…
Strabo
Department of Environmental Science and Management
North South University
Ptolemy
Course No. ENV 203/GEO 205
HISTORY OF GEOGRAPHY
MUSLIM GEOGRAPHERS…
Pilgrimage as well as trade in the vast Muslim empire needed
communication and navigational skills.
From the beginning of the seventh century, the knowledge of
geography was equally growing with the spread of Islam.
Department of Environmental Science and Management
North South University
Course No. ENV 203/GEO 205
HISTORY OF GEOGRAPHY
MUSLIM GEOGRAPHERS…
AL-BIRUNI
The Muslim Geographer Al-Biruni (973-1048) was
famous for Cartography, Geodesy and Mineralogy.
Al-Biruni
CONTRIBUTIONS
• Study of Map Projection.
• Cartographic techniques &
projecting a hemisphere on a plane.
• Formation of sedimentary rocks and
past geological changes.
• Kitab-al-Jawahir (Book of Precious
Stones)
Department of Environmental Science and Management
North South University
Course No. ENV 203/GEO 205
HISTORY OF GEOGRAPHY
Al-Idrisi
MUSLIM GEOGRAPHERS…
AL-IDRISI
The Muslim Geographer Al-Idrisi (1100-1165)
prepared a World map with description.
Department of Environmental Science and Management
North South University
Course No. ENV 203/GEO 205
HISTORY OF GEOGRAPHY
MUSLIM GEOGRAPHERS…
IBN-BATTUTAH
Ibn-Battutah (1305-1368) wrote Rihlah (Travels) based on
three decades of journey around the World.
Ibn-Battutah
Department of Environmental Science and Management
North South University
Course No. ENV 203/GEO 205
HISTORY OF GEOGRAPHY
EUROPEAN GEOGRAPHERS…
COLUMBUS
Columbus
Christopher Columbus re-discovered America in
1492 and he was in search of a westward route
to Asia to access the sources of spices and other
oriental goods.
Four Voyages
of Columbus
Map of
Columbus
Department of Environmental Science and Management
North South University
Course No. ENV 203/GEO 205
HISTORY OF GEOGRAPHY
RENAISSANCE: GERMAN GEOGRAPHERS…
Immanuel Kant (1724-1804): Divided Geography into six sub
branches/disciplines.
Alexander Von Humboldt: Published KOSMOS (1844) which
examines the Geology and Physical Geography of the Earth.
Fredrich Ratzel: Theorized that the distribution and culture of
the Earth‟s various human populations was strongly
influenced by the nature.
Carl Ritter (1780-1859): Developed the concept of Regional
Geography.
Department of Environmental Science and Management
North South University
Course No. ENV 203/GEO 205
HISTORY OF GEOGRAPHY
FOUNDATION OF KNOWLEDGE…
Foundations of modern science
established during 17th Century.
Navigational tools and skills merely
facilitated scientific discovery.
Discussions of the relative merits of
different societies, cultures and
civilizations around the world.
Department of Environmental Science and Management
North South University
Course No. ENV 203/GEO 205
HISTORY OF GEOGRAPHY
RISE OF DIFFERENT VIEWS/THEORIES ON
MAN-ENVIRONMENT RELATIONSHIP…
Environmental Determinism
Possibilism
Neo-Determinism
Man
INTERRELATIONSHIP
Environment
Department of Environmental Science and Management
North South University
Course No. ENV 203/GEO 205
HISTORY OF GEOGRAPHY
PHYSICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINISM…
• Also Known as Climatic Determinism or Environmentalism.
• It‟s a Philosophical Concept.
• Origin of this Concept : 18-19th Century.
Main Theme of this Concept
Physical Environment (climate and terrain) is the active force
in shaping cultures and Man is a passive product.
Active
Force
Control
Nature
Department of Environmental Science and Management
North South University
Inactive
Force
Man
Course No. ENV 203/GEO 205
HISTORY OF GEOGRAPHY
PHYSICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINISM…
Examples
Of Determinists Beliefs….
Name of some Determinists...
• Hippocrates
• Aristotle
• Strabo
• Charles Darwin
• Alexander von Humboldt
• Carl Ritter
• Temperate Climatic Region Produced…
Inventiveness, industriousness and democrat.
• Tropical Climatic Region Produced…
Lazy, unproductive, angry persons.
• People of the mountains…
Simple, backward, conservative, freedom loving.
Department of Environmental Science and Management
North South University
Course No. ENV 203/GEO 205
HISTORY OF GEOGRAPHY
POSSIBILISM…
• Also Known as Environmental Possibilism.
• Origin of this Concept : Since 1930.
When E.D. has declined.
Possibilism has taken it‟s place.
Main Theme of this Concept
Nature offers some possibilities among the Man and they pick
up one or more from several possibilities according to their
needs, habits, choices and their demands.
Inactive
Force
Nature
Department of Environmental Science and Management
North South University
Active
Force
Man
Course No. ENV 203/GEO 205
HISTORY OF GEOGRAPHY
POSSIBILISM…
Name of some Possibilists…
Examples
Of Possibilists Beliefs….
•
•
•
•
•
Vidal de la Blache
Jean Brunhes
de Martonne
Albert Demangeon
Lucien Febvre
• Humid Climatic Region…(Not comfortable for living)
Air Conditioner can solve this problem.
• Lack of water for agriculture…
Construction of Dam/Barrage can solve this problem.
Department of Environmental Science and Management
North South University
Course No. ENV 203/GEO 205
HISTORY OF GEOGRAPHY
NEO-DETERMINISM…
• Modern Ecological View.
• Also Known as Present Day Determinism.
• Neo Determinists use the terminology - “Influence”.
Main Theme of this Concept
Man influenced by Nature and Nature also influenced by Man.
Man and Nature both of them are influenced
(or controlled) by each other.
Active
Force
Influence
Nature
Department of Environmental Science and Management
North South University
Active
Force
Man
Course No. ENV 203/GEO 205
HISTORY OF GEOGRAPHY
NEO-DETERMINISM…
Examples
Of Neo-Determinists Beliefs….
• Agriculture in Desert Area…(Not possible)
Nature controls Man.
But……
It is partially possible… Arafat Ground.
Name of some Neo-Determinists…
• Griffith Taylor
• Preston James
Department of Environmental Science and Management
North South University
Course No. ENV 203/GEO 205
HISTORY OF GEOGRAPHY
SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION…
18th Century: Era of European
enlightenment.
20th Century: Geographic
Information Systems (GIS) and
Remote Sensing (RS)
Application.
Department of Environmental Science and Management
North South University
Course No. ENV 203/GEO 205
Thanks
Department of Environmental Science and Management
North South University
Course No. ENV 203/GEO 205