Human Geography Nature and ScopeClass 12 Fundamentals of Human Geography NCERT Solutions

(i) (d) not relevant in the present time due to the development of technology. Explanation: Geography is an integrative discipline that studies the inter-relationship between humans and the environment and has been subjected to dualism (e.g., physical vs. human). It remains highly relevant as technology itself creates new geographical patterns and environmental challenges.

(ii) (c) samples of rock materials from the moon Explanation: Geographical information primarily pertains to the Earth's surface. Traveller's accounts, old maps, and ancient epics provide valuable information about Earth's historical geography, human settlements, and perceptions of space. Moon rocks are a source for geology and astronomy, not geography.

(iii) (c) technology Explanation: The chapter states that "Human beings interact with their physical environment with the help of technology." It further explains that technology indicates the level of cultural development and loosens the constraints of the environment on human beings, making it the most crucial factor in this interaction.

(iv) (c) Quantitative revolution Explanation: Exploration and description, Areal differentiation, and Spatial organisation are listed as distinct approaches in human geography during different periods. The Quantitative Revolution is described as a characteristic or phase within the Spatial Organisation approach, marked by the use of statistical tools, rather than a standalone approach itself in the context of the given list.

(i) Define human geography. Human geography is the study of the inter-relationship between the physical/natural environment and the human world. It examines the spatial distribution of human phenomena and the social and economic differences between various parts of the world. It focuses on the synthetic and dynamic relationship between human societies and the earth's surface.

(ii) Name some sub-fields of human geography. Some sub-fields of human geography are:

(iii) How is human geography related to other social sciences? Human geography is highly inter-disciplinary and maintains a close interface with other social sciences to understand human elements on the earth's surface. For example, it draws from sociology and anthropology for social and cultural geography, political science for political geography, and economics for economic geography to provide a spatial perspective to these subjects.

(i) Explain naturalisation of humans. Naturalisation of humans refers to a situation in the early stages of human development where human beings were greatly influenced and constrained by the forces of nature. This concept, also known as environmental determinism, occurred when the level of technology was very low and human social development was primitive.

In this state, humans adapted to the dictates of nature rather than modifying it. They lived in complete harmony with their natural environment, often fearing its fury and worshipping it. The physical environment for such societies became 'Mother Nature', providing all the resources for sustenance. The example of Benda in the Abujh Maad area illustrates this direct and dependent relationship, where life is governed by the forest and its spirits.

(ii) Write a note on the scope of human geography. The scope of human geography is vast and extensive as it studies the intricate relationship between the physical environment and the human world. It seeks to explain all elements of human life and the space over which they occur. The core of its scope is to understand the earth as the home of human beings.

Human geography covers a wide range of topics, which are studied under its various sub-fields:

Essentially, the scope of human geography is to study and explain the spatial patterns of all human activities and the cultural landscapes they create on the earth's surface.