What is geography? Geography is a fundamental fascination with, and a crucial method for, understanding the way the world works. This text offers readers a short and highly accessible account of the ideas and concepts constituting geography. Drawing out the key themes that define the subject, What s Geography? demonstrates how and why these themeslike environment and geopoliticsare of fundamental importance.
Including discussion of both the human and the natural realms, the text looks at key themes such as environment, space, and placeas well as geography's methods and the history of the discipline.
Introductory but not simplified, What Is Geography? provides students with the ability to understand the history and context of the subject without any prior knowledge. Designed as a key transitional text for students entering undergraduate courses, this book will be of interest to all readers interested in and intrigued by the geographical imagination.
Preface
Chapter
1. Introduction
Why What is Geography?
Chapter 2: Order and Power: To Know the World I
Introduction
Ordering the World
Modern Geography: The World of Trade and Nations
Whose Geography?
Conclusion
Chapter 3: People and Nature: To Know the World II
Introduction
Our Environment
Changes, Challenges, and Defenses
The Systems of Nature
Conclusion
Chapter 4: Urbanization and Mobility
Introduction
Presenting the City
Urban Critics
Mobilities
Conclusion
Chapter 5: Doing Geography
Introduction
To Explore
To Connect
To Map
To Engage
Geography, Children and Freedom: A Plea
Chapter 6: Institutionalizing Geography
Introduction
Specialist Institutions
Geographys Popular Institutions
Conclusion
Chapter 7: Future Geographies
Introduction
Surviving and Thriving
Diverse Geographies
Digital and Virtual Geographies
Astrogeography: Other Worlds, New Comparisons, and New Conflicts
Conclusions: A Planet of Geographers
Postscript: What is Geography?
Notes
Bibliography
About the Author
Index
Alastair Bonnett is professor of geography at Newcastle University and a travel writer. His books have been translated into nineteen languages and include Unruly Places; Beyond the Map; The Geography of Nostalgia; and An Uncommon Atlas. His most recent books are The Age of Islands, Multiracism, and How to be Original. Alastair lives in Newcastle, UK.
