The word 'geography' can be divided into two parts, 'geo' and 'graphy.' 'Geo' comes from the Greek word 'ge', meaning 'Earth,' and 'graphy' comes from 'graphein', which means 'to describe.'
Geography is essentially the spatial (relating to space) and temporal (relating to time) study of people and places in the world. Geography can be divided into two main branches; physical geography, and human (or cultural) geography. Physical geography is generally classified as an Earth science, since it studies the physical features and environments of the Earth. These features may include volcanoes and rivers. Human geography is usually referred to as a social science, since it studies the way that humans interact with and have an impact on each other and the Earth. This includes the study of towns and farms. See image 1
Geography not only identifies examples of physical and human environments on the Earth, but it also studies how and why these environments change in size, density and distribution over time. Using this information, geographers are able to describe and analyse the different types of patterns which occur and the consequences that they may have in the future.