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Human geography is a branch of geography that focuses on the study of patterns and processes that shape human interaction with the built environment, with particular reference to the causes and consequences of the spatial distribution of human activity on the Earth's surface. Contents [hide]

Human geography is a branch of geography that focuses on the study of patterns and processes that shape human interaction with the built environment, with particular reference to the causes and consequences of the spatial distribution of human activity on the Earth's surface.

Human geography broadly differs from physical geography in that it has a greater focus on studying intangible or abstract patterns surrounding human activity and is more receptive to qualitative research methodologies. It encompasses human, political, cultural, social and economic aspects of the social sciences. While the major focus of human geography is not the physical landscape of the Earth (see physical geography), it is not possible to discuss human geography without going into the physical landscape, on which human activities are being played out and environmental geography is emerging, as an important link between the two. Human geography is methodologically diverse, using both qualitative methods and quantitative methods, including case studies, survey research, statistical analysis and model building, among others. Thematically, human geography may be concerned with an array of human enterprises, from villages and cities, schools, health, commerce and trade, to name a few. The spatial human architecture of a variety of institutions and practices unites these entities within the discipline. For example, a human geographer might be concerned with the geographic patterns of communicable diseases, school performance in rural versus urban school districts or the rise of innovative technology clusters.

Population density (people per km2) by country, 2007 Human geography is a branch of geography that focuses on the study of patterns and processes that shape human interaction with the built environment, with particular reference to the causes and consequences of the spatial distribution of human activity on the Earth's surface.

Human Geography combines economic and cultural geography to explore the relationships between humans and their natural environment, and

tionships

to track the broad social patterns that shape human societies

Today, researchers in the field of geography still focus on people and cultures (cultural geography), and the planet earth (physical geography). The features of the earth are the domain of physical geographers and their work includes research about climates, the formation of landforms, and plant and animal distribution. Working in closely related areas, the research of physical geographers and geologists often overlaps. Religion, languages, and cities are a few of the specialties of cultural (also known as human) geographers. Their research into the intricacies of human existence is fundamental to our understanding of cultures. Cultural geographers want to know why various groups practice certain rituals, speak in different dialects, or organize their cities in a particular way.

"The purpose of geography is to provide 'a view of the whole' earth by mapping the location of places." - Ptolemy, 150 CE "Synoptic discipline synthesizing findings of other sciences through the concept of Raum (area or space)." - Immanuel Kant, c. 1780 "Synthesizing discipline to connect the general with the special through measurement, mapping, and a regional emphasis." - Alexander von Humboldt, 1845 "Man in society and local variations in environment." - Halford Mackinder, 1887 "How environment apparently controls human behavior." - Ellen Semple, c. 1911 "Study of human ecology; adjustment of man to natural surroundings." - Harland Barrows,

What is Geography? While the word geography is derived from Greek and literally means "to write about the earth," the subject of geography is much more than describing "foreign" places or memorizing the names of capitals and countries. Geography is an all-encompassing discipline that seeks to understand the world - its human and physical features - through an understanding of place and location. Geographers study where things are and how they got there. My favorite definitions for geography are "the bridge between the human and physical sciences" and "the mother of all sciences." Geography looks at the spatial connection between people, places, and the earth.

Swine Flu Navigator A list of resources from around the Web about Swine Flu as selected by researchers and editors of The New York Times. Swine Influenza Breaking News Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy News Focus: Influenza A(H1N1) United Nations News Service Key Facts about Swine Influenza Centers for Disease Control and Prevention FAQs about Swine Flu PandemicFlu.gov (U.S. Dept of Health & Human Services) U.S. Cases of Swine Flu Infection Centers for Disease Control and Prevention H1N1 (Swine) Flu Virus Vaccine Production U.S. Food and Drug Administration Understanding Flu: Cause, Transmission, Symptoms and Treatment National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Flu Guidance for Specific Groups and Industries Centers for Disease Control H1N1 Influenza Center The New England Journal of Medicine Timeline of Human Flu Pandemics National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

technical progress — discoveries — are trial and error, and incentives.

but both are stimulated by population.

The more people on earth, the greater the chance that one of them has an idea of how to improve alternative energies, or to mitigate the climate effects of carbon emissions. It takes only one person to have an idea that can benefit many.