Introduction
Geography is the study of various global elements. It is a physical study, a natural study, and a human study. It is one that grasps the temperament of maps, globes, and other geographic utensils and expertise. Furthermore, it is also one that recognizes global locations, patterns of the environment, and uses of the spatial fixture. Geography masters the nature, distribution of phenomena, and migration of all populations on the surface of the Earth (Geography Importance, 2006). Major characteristics of civilization developments, human settlements, and interpretation of the past are also well-versed in the study known as Geography.
With respect to assisting in building a world empire, it would probably be due to the interrelationships among the global elements. Basically, geography creates collaboration between the sciences and the humanities. It is data that is compiled from many sources and disciplines and from the time that it was made a solid subject matter at universities in the late 1500s, it played a major role in the world (The Importance of Geography, 2006). Apparently, to know each country in a global context, provided a set of common hypotheses about the achievability and appeal of an empire. Therefore, it brought about the ideology of empire that helped move forward the actual expedition of the following centuries.
Brief History
Geography began as early as the 16th and 17th centuries during a period of time known as “The Age of Discovery” (The Four Traditions of Geography, 2004). This was a period wherein many new lands were discovered by explorers with recorded accounts such as Christopher Columbus, Marco Polo, and James Cook. These travelers fashioned aspiration for both details of the land as well as a solid, theoretical basis. It was between 1580 and 1620 that Geography was introduced into the university Arts curriculum (Geography, 2001). A wide array of political, economic, and religious leaders began to derive the subject and the connection between college and court became so abundant. It was then that imperialism began its foundation and the subject gained more and more recognition as an isolated form of academic order.
Discussion
It is vital to know that while geography is interconnected with so many orders and subject matters, it is distinct from an older study known as cosmography (Charting Empire Geography, 1997). To understand and completely grasp this, would be the perfect answer as to why it has helped build a world empire. Though both terms continue to be used as if interchangeably, they are not, in fact, the same. Cosmography matches the heavens, the Earth, in one frame that requires astronomy (which is relative to water, fire, and other earthly elements) and music to be complete (Charting Empire Geography, 1997). Conversely, geography teaches us about sphere-like forms or plain-like forms such as the situation of towns, cities, woods, rivers, creeks, et al. These outface of the Earth are described and designed in such a way that we have an in-depth command on why such things are the way that they are and how they can experience change. In other words, while the theme of cosmography is the globe and the “heavens”, geography has a tapered focus concentrating on the earth itself. Thus, what we know of any worldly element is classified in parts by the momentous study called Geography.
References
- Charting Empire Geography. (1997). In Amazon.
- Geography. (2001). In Annals of the Association of American Geographers. Web.
- Geography Importance. (2006). In Kuki Forum.
- The Four Traditions of Geography. (2004). In Journal of Geography. Web.
- The Importance of Geography (2006). In AAG Career Guide.