Geo•mor•phus
noun (n) experiences of the forms of geography
Origin: Geographia Morphologia Usus (Latin)
Geomorphus is a place for me to share my thoughts, opinions and journeys over not just Geography, but the world in general. Potentially, it could become a forum for other geographers to connect, and share their different perspectives on global themes.
I’m Zachary , an aspiring geographer, and author of Geomorphus.
Geography is studied through the observation and analysis of our planet’s landscapes, diverse scope of populations, unique environments and ecosystems, and the places which these facets comprise. As such, the subject has a broad scope, it’s broadness facilitating the composition of social, natural and environmental sciences into a single entity.
Geography allows us to study places (in their physical, socioeconomic and environmental senses), and connect them to people (through their effect and links to populations). Our understanding of the physical realm, is hence, applied (with context) to the human geographies of places. This allows us to understand the structure, function and (more frequently) differences of places.
The study of geography is about more than just memorizing places on a map. It’s about understanding the complexity of our world, appreciating the diversity of cultures that exists across continents. And in the end, it’s about using all that knowledge to help bridge divides and bring people together.
Barack Obama, 44th President of the USA (2009-2017)
We can apply our understanding of the human and physical geographies of a place to geographical issues. It allows us to understand socioeconomic division (through increased awareness of the extent to which our world is interconnected), changes, management and threats; along with physical changes (like global warming) and how they may affect our future society.
We all have a sense of place and space, whether it be gathered through travelling the globe, through community or through business: A sense of place and space that affects our perception and understanding of the world.
Place
An idea of ‘place’ is comprised of the physical and human characteristics of real places, and how they are transferred into our perception of the world.
Space
Space is determined through the interactions between different places (and even ideas of places), and the coincident movements of people, capital and ideas. Space can also be interpreted in a more literal state - the location of a place: why a place is where it is, why places change and what patterns emerge through looking at a larger set of places.
We all have strong perceptions of our own geographies, comprised in part through the intersection of place, space and society.
I hope to explore my perceptions and experiences of geography through Geomorphus as I delve deeper into the subject.