Chapter 1 Human Geography|Class 12 Geography Notes

Class 12 Geography Notes Chapter 1 Human Geography: Class 12 Geography notes for Chapter 1 on Human Geography are important for CBSE board exams. They’ll help you understand things like how people interact with their environment, why cities grow, how cultures shape landscapes, and what challenges we face because of all this.

The Human Geography notes cover all the necessary topics that are extremely important for the examination 2024. It can save you time and will positively affect your results. All the important topics have been compiled in CBSE Notes Class 12 Geography Notes Chapter 1 Human Geography.

Nature of Human Geography

Human Geography studies how people interact with their environment, both physically and culturally. This field examines how humans shape their surroundings and are influenced by them. From villages and cities to transportation networks like roads and railways, human activity creates various elements of material culture using resources from the natural environment.

As Ellen Semple put it, “Human geography is a study of changing relationship between unresting man and unstable earth”.

Naturalization of Humans and Humanisation of Nature

Human beings interact with their physical environment with the help of technology, which reflects the cultural progress of a society. Primitive societies were once thought to be entirely shaped by their environment, a concept known as environmental determinism, which essentially portrays humans as natural beings.

However, as technology advanced, humans gained the ability to alter nature and shape their surroundings, creating what is known as the cultural landscape. This perspective, called possibilism or humanization of nature, acknowledges human agency in shaping the environment.

A middle ground, proposed by Griffith Taylor, suggests a more balanced view, termed neo-determinism, which recognizes that human behavior is influenced by both environmental factors and cultural choices.

History of Human Geography

The beginnings of human geography can be traced back to the interactions, adaptations, adjustments, and modifications that occurred between humans and their environment. Prior to the age of exploration, interactions between societies were limited. However, the late 15th century marked a turning point with the discovery of previously unknown societies.

Exploration by travelers expanded the scope of human geography as they encountered and interacted with diverse cultures. This period also saw the emergence of new approaches in human geography, including the welfare or humanistic school of thought, the radical school of thought, and the behavioral school of thought.

Field and Sub-fields of Human Geography

As you’ve learned, human geography explain the relationship between various facets of human existence and the geographical areas they inhabit. It adopts a profoundly interdisciplinary approach, forging strong connections with other related disciplines within the social sciences to dissect and interpret human phenomena across the Earth’s surface. With the expansion of knowledge, new subfields emerge and it has also happened to human geography.

Broad Stages and Thrust of Human Geography

Broad Stages	Period	Approaches
Exploring and describing new areas fueled by imperial and trade interests.	Early Colonial Period	Exploration and description
Analyzing regions comprehensively to understand them as parts of a larger whole.	Later Colonial Period	Regional analysis
Identifying unique characteristics of regions and exploring their differences.	1930s to Inter-War Period	Areal differentiation
Organizing space and applying quantitative methods to study human activities.	Late 1950s to Late 1960s	Spatial organisation
Introducing humanistic, radical, and behavioral approaches to human geography.	1970s	Emergence of humanistic, radical and behavioural schools
Embracing post-modernism, which questions broad theories and focuses on local contexts.	1990s	Post-modernism in geography

Human Geography and Sister Disciplines of Social Sciences

Fields or Sub-fields of Human Geography	Interface with Sister Disciplines of Social Sciences
Social Geography	Sociology
Behavioral Geography	Psychology
Geography of Social Welfare	Economics
Geography of Leisure	Sociology
Cultural Geography	Anthropology
Gender Geography	Sociology, Anthropology, Women’s Studies
Historical Geography	History
Medical Geography	Epidemiology
Urban Geography	Urban Studies and Planning
Political Geography	Political Science
Electoral Geography	Psephology
Military Geography	Military Science
Population Geography	Demography
Settlement Geography	Urban/Rural Planning

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Chapter 1 Human Geography- FAQs

What is Human Geography?

Human Geography is a branch of geography that studies the interaction between humans and their environment. It explores how human activities shape and are influenced by the Earth’s surface.

How does Human Geography differ from Physical Geography?

While Physical Geography focuses on natural features and processes of the Earth’s surface, Human Geography focuses on the human aspects, such as population, culture, settlement patterns, and the impact of human activities on the environment.

Why is Human Geography important?

Human Geography helps us understand how human societies interact with their environment, which is crucial for addressing various social, economic, and environmental challenges facing the world today.

What are some current trends or issues in Human Geography?

Current trends and issues in Human Geography include globalization, climate change, sustainable development, urbanization, migration, cultural diversity, and social inequalities. Understanding these issues is essential for addressing global challenges and creating more equitable and sustainable societies.