Branches of geography and what do each study

Branches of geography and what do each study

By Dr. Kyle Muller

Geography is the science that is responsible for the study of phenomena that occur on the earth’s surface as a whole. This science analyzes both the division of the territory and the societies and cultures that inhabit it, in addition to geographical accidents, rivers, landscape mountains, climates, etc.

The amount of aspects includes this science that has been necessary to division into different groups, depending on its content, that in turn are subdivided into other subdisciplins, do you want to know more thoroughly the details of this division? In Ecology Verde, we explain the different branches of geography and what do each study of them.

Types and branches of geography

As a summary, we can say that Geography is divided into various types or branches and each of them in more specializations. These are the main branches of geography:

  • Physical geography
  • Biological Geography
  • Human geography
  • Astronomical Geography
  • Mathematical Geography

Next, we indicate the Specializations of the geography branches And what do each one study.

Branches of geography and what studies each - types and branches of geography

Physical geography and their specialties

As its name indicates, the Physical geography Study those patterns that occur in the physical, atmosphere, hydrosphere and geosphere, so that each physical phenomenon gives rise to its own specialty:

  • Geomorphology: Study the shapes of the earth’s surface, such as mountains, valleys and plains.
  • Geomorphogenesis: Study the internal and external processes that originate the forms that are on the earth’s surface.
  • Geology: Study the composition and structure of the Earth, as well as its evolution. Learn more about geography and its branches here.
  • Geogeny: Study the origin and formation of our planet.
  • Petrology: Study the rocks, their origin and composition.
  • Lithology: Study the structure and disposal of rocks, particularly sedimentary.
  • Edaphology: Study the soil, its nature, properties and relationship with the environment, from a physical, chemical and biological point of view.
  • Pedology: Study soil formation and its characteristics.
  • Speleology: Study the caves, caves and underground caverns.
  • Hydrology: Study both superficial and underground water of the continents, their properties, distribution, movements and use.
  • CRENOLOGY: Study medicinal waters, their mineral properties, composition, training and temperature.
  • Oceanography: Study the oceans and seas, phenomena, fauna and marine flora.
  • Potamology: Study river hydrology.
  • Limnology: Study the aquatic ecosystems of the continents, such as lakes, lagoons, rivers and ponds.
  • Glaciology: Study the forms that water acquires in solid state, glaciers, snow and hail among others.
  • Climatology: Study the different types of climate, their distribution and variations over time.
  • Aerology: Study the high layers of the atmosphere, condensation, radiation and thermodynamic state.

Branches of geography and what do each - physical geography and its specialties study

Biological geography and its branches, specializations and related sciences

Study the location of living beings on the earth’s surface and the conditions under which they develop, determining for example the distribution area of โ€‹โ€‹a species, their history, its evolution and even the causes that can make it extinguish. This GEOGRAPHY RAMAcall Biological Geographyis divided into:

  • Biology: Study living beings from different perspectives, their physiology, morphology, behavior and reproduction trying to determine their structure and functional dynamics. Know more about the branches of biology and what they study in this other ecology article.
  • Botany: Study plants in all their aspects, physiology, morphology, distribution, relationships with other living beings and their effects on the environment in which they are.
  • Ecology: Study the relationship and interaction of living beings with each other and with the environment and the effects they produce, influencing, for example in their distribution and behavior.
  • Zoology: Study animals, their morphological and anatomical description, their functioning, their way of life, food, reproduction and development, their behavior and distribution.

Human geography

Study the distribution of the human being on the earth’s surface, its influence and the effects produced by its interaction with the environment at a social, political and economic level. The Human geography It is divided into:

  • Anthropology: Study the human being, the anatomy and functioning of his body and his cultural and social behavior.
  • Demography: Study the group in populations of humans within a given region along with its structure, dimension that occupies, evolution and general characteristics.
  • Ethnography: Study the culture and behavior of the human being, language, traditions and customs, which define their identity and lifestyle.
  • Geopolitics: Study the birth of a state, its growth, evolution and dynamics.
  • Sociology: Study human society, its structure, functioning and phenomena that occur as a result of its interaction.

Branches of geography and what do each - human geography study

Astronomical Geography

Study the behavior of planet Earth as Astro and how it relates to other celestial bodies. The Astronomical Geography It is composed of different specialties:

  • Astronomy: Study the stars of the universe, planets, satellites, comets, stars and meteorites, their movements and the phenomena associated with them.
  • Actinology: Study the light and radiation of the stars, and their chemical and biological effects on living beings.
  • Astrophysics: Study the physics of the celestial bodies, formation of the stars and evolution of the universe through laws and formulas.
  • Cosmogony: Study the formation of the stars, in particular, of those that are part of the solar system.
  • Cosmology: Study the laws of the universe in its entirety, history, origin, structure and evolution.
  • Cosmonรกutica: Study space navigation outside the atmosphere, from a scientific and technical point of view.

Mathematical Geography

Contemplate the ESTudio of the Earth’s surface and its relationship with the universe through mathematical processes through its dimensions, magnitudes, forms and characteristics. The Mathematical Geography It is divided into:

  • Mapping: Study the dimensions of the Earth and reflect them in maps and geographical planes and earthly balloons.
  • Chronology: Study the succession of time and determine the order of historical dates and events.
  • Geodesy: Study the shape of the planet Earth, its field of gravity and its variations over time.
  • Topography: Study the details of the earth’s surface and the characteristics of the relief.

Now that you have learned all this about the branches of geography, we encourage you to read this other article about geographical resources: what they are, what they are for and examples.

Branches of geography and what do each one - mathematical geography study

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Kyle Muller
About the author
Dr. Kyle Muller
Dr. Kyle Mueller is a Research Analyst at the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department in Houston, Texas. He earned his Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Texas State University in 2019, where his dissertation was supervised by Dr. Scott Bowman. Dr. Mueller's research focuses on juvenile justice policies and evidence-based interventions aimed at reducing recidivism among youth offenders. His work has been instrumental in shaping data-driven strategies within the juvenile justice system, emphasizing rehabilitation and community engagement.
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