Geography is the study of the location, extent, distribution, frequency and interaction of all significant elements of the human and physical environment on or near the
Earth's surface, particularly its features and of the distribution of life on the earth, including
human life and the effects of human activity. The word geography derives from the
Greek γη (
ge) or
γαια (
gaia) ("Earth") and
γραφειν (
graphein) ("to inscribe").
Physical geography focuses on the physical,
meteorological and
ecological patterns and processes on Earth.
Human geography focuses on
economic,
political and
cultural processes and features in their spatial dimensions. In addition to studying human and natural features of Earth,
Geographers also study Earth's place in the
Solar System and the
Universe and how this affects the Earth features (e.g.
climate,
sea currents and
tides), as well as physical processes on other planets.
