Geography involves more than maps. Geography brings into focus different cultures and environments. It examines the ways people shape places and places shape people. Geography is the framework that helps us understand the world.

Geography is the science of place and space. Geographers ask where things are located on the surface of the earth, why those things are located where they are, how places differ from one another, and how people interact with the environment.

Geographers investigate space and place. They strive to recognize and explain how natural processes and human activities shape our world. Most people associate geography with memorizing random facts about rivers, capitals, natural resources, and other relatively mundane matters. Actually, geographers are more concerned about understanding why things are located where they are, and how they relate to the location of other features. This knowledge helps us see how historical processes and present activities influence places. If our understanding is deep enough, we can anticipate future developments and plan for those developments.

There are two main branches of geography: human geography and physical geography. Human geography explores the spatial aspects of human existence  how people and their activities exist in space, how we use and perceive space, and how we create and sustain the places that make up the earth’s surface. Human geographers work in urban and regional planning, transportation, marketing, real estate, tourism, and international business. Physical geographers research climate patterns, land forms, vegetation, soil, and water. They forecast weather, manage land and water resources, and analyze and plan for forests, rangelands, and wetlands. Many human and physical geographers have skills in cartography and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

Geographers study the links between human activity and natural systems. In fact, geographers were among the first scientists to sound the alarm that human-induced changes to the environment could threaten the balance of life. They are actively studying global warming, desertification, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, groundwater pollution, and flooding.

Many geographers become teachers at all education levels K-12, community colleges and universities. Many more move into other professions, taking fascinating jobs in local, state, federal governments, nonprofit organizations, and private industry.