Physical and geographical science. Examples of physical geography. Concept of physical geography

Geographic Science System

Physical geography - Greek. physis - nature, geo - Earth, grapho - I write. The same, literally - a description of the nature of the Earth, or land description, geoscience.

Literal definition of the subject physical geography too general. Compare: "geology", "geobotany".

To give more precise definition the subject of physical geography, it is necessary:

show the spatial structure of science;

establish the relationship of this science with other sciences.

You know from your school geography course that geography deals with the study of the nature of the earth's surface and those material values that mankind has created on it. In other words, geography is a science that does not exist in the singular. This, of course, is physical geography and economic geography. It can be imagined that this is a system of sciences.

The systemic paradigm (Greek example, sample) came to geography from mathematics. System - a philosophical concept, meaning a set of elements that are in interaction. It is a dynamic, functional concept.

From a systematic standpoint, geography is the science of geosystems. Geosystem(s), according to V. B. Sochava (1978), are terrestrial spaces of all dimensions, where individual components nature are in a system connection with each other and how a certain integrity interact with the space sphere and human society.

Main properties of geosystems:

a) integrity, unity;

b) Component, elementary (element - Greek elementary, indivisible);

c) Hierarchical subordination, a certain order of construction, functioning;

d) Relationship through functioning, exchange.

Allocate internal connections, fixing the specific structure for a given science, and through it - and its inherent composition (structure). Internal communications in nature are, first of all, the exchange of matter and energy. External relations - internal and mutual exchange of ideas, hypotheses, theories, methods through intermediate, transitional scientific units (for example, natural, social, technical sciences).

Like physics, chemistry, biology and other sciences, modern geography is complex system isolated in different time scientific disciplines (Fig. 2).

Rice. 2. The system of geographical science according to V. A. Anuchin

Economic and physical geography have their own various objects and subjects of study, indicated in fig. 2. But humanity and nature are not only different, but mutually influence, act on each other, forming the unity of the material world of the nature of the earth's surface (in Fig. 2, this interaction is indicated by arrows). People, forming a society, are part of nature and relate to it as a part to the whole.

The understanding of society as part of nature begins to determine the entire nature of production. Society, experiencing the impact of nature, also experiences the impact of the laws of nature. But the latter are refracted in society and become specific (the law of reproduction is the law of population). Exactly public laws determine the development of society (solid line in Fig. 2).

Social development is carried out in the nature of the earth's surface. The nature surrounding human society, experiencing its impact, forms a geographical environment. The geographic environment, thanks to technological progress, is constantly expanding and already includes Near Space.

A reasonable person should not forget about the existing system connection. N. N. Baransky said very well about this: "There should be neither "inhuman" physical geography, nor "unnatural" economic geography."

In addition, the modern geographer must take into account the fact that the nature of the earth's surface has already been changed. human activity, That's why modern society should measure its impact on nature with the intensity of the natural process.

Modern geography is a triune science that unites nature, population, and economy.

Each of the sciences: physical, economic, social geography, in turn, represents a complex of sciences.

The physical-geographical complex is one of the main concepts of physical geography. It consists of parts, elements and components: air, water, lithogenic base ( rocks and unevenness of the earth's surface), soils and living organisms (plants, animals, microorganisms). Their combination forms a natural-territorial complex (NTC) of the earth's surface. NTC can be considered as the entire earth's surface, individual continents, oceans, as well as small areas: the slope of a ravine, a swamp. PTK is a unity that exists in origin (in the past) and in development (present, future).

The nature of the earth's surface can be studied in general and as a whole (physical geography), by components (private sciences - hydrology, climatology, soil science, geomorphology, etc.); can be studied by countries and regions (country studies, landscape studies), in the present, past and future tenses (general geography, paleogeography and historical geography).

Animal geography (zoogeography) is the science of the patterns of distribution of animal species.

Biogeography is the geography of organic life.

Oceanology is the science of the World Ocean as part of the hydrosphere.

Landscape science is the science of the landscape environment, the thin, most active central layer of the geographic envelope, consisting of natural territorial complexes of various ranks.

Cartography is a general geographic (at the system level) science of geographical maps, methods of their creation and use.

Paleogeography and historical geography - the sciences about the nature of the earth's surface of past geological eras; about the discovery, formation and history of the development of natural and social systems.

Country studies are physical and geographical, studying the nature of individual countries and regions (the physical geography of Russia, Asia, Africa, etc.).

Glaciology and geocryology (permafrost) are the sciences about the conditions for the emergence, development and forms of terrestrial (glaciers, snowfields, snow avalanches, sea ice) and lithospheric (permafrost, underground glaciation) ice.

Earth science (actually physical geography) studies geographical envelope(the nature of the earth's surface) as an integral material system - general patterns its structure, origin, internal and external relationships, functioning to develop a system for modeling and managing ongoing processes.

General geographic (or synthetic) sciences are physical-geographical and economic-geographical at the same time.

Applied physical and geographical sciences (engineering geomorphology, synoptic meteorology etc.) study practical problems related to the branches of the national economy.

Modern geography studies terrestrial spaces of all dimensions, their structure, movement, as well as their interaction in nature and society.

Development of basic ideas about the system and complex of geographical science

It is known from the history of geography that geographers did not immediately come to the concept of geography in our modern sense - to a geography that studies the PTK and TPK in some interconnected unity.

In the development of geography, several chronological eras are distinguished: geography ancient world, Medieval, Great geographical discoveries, Modern and Newest times, but all of them are grouped according to the goals and objectives of research into two major stages:

Until the middle late XIX in.,

Early 20th century to the present day.

In the first stage, geography was a comprehensive, ideological science. Geographical description - here it is the main task. For centuries, its goal is to collect information about the globe, its environment - space, about the peoples inhabiting the near and far corners of the Earth, their territories, occupations, beliefs.

The main questions of interest to geography:

What it is? Where is it? These are questions of description. Any science begins with the answer to them.

By the middle of the XIX century. the collection of material on the earth's surface was basically completed. Only the spaces of the extreme north and extreme south remained undiscovered.

By this time, a single science no longer existed, private sciences arose within it: botany (first in the form of plant taxonomy), geology (first in the form of mining); the social and economic sciences stood out. These new sciences, with greater completeness and depth than the former geography, explored nature and society. Geography, having lost the subject of its study (a single, indivisible nature), entered a period of crisis and lost its former glory. From an avant-garde science, it has turned into a backward one. It took decades for a revolution in knowledge to take place, and geography in the modern sense of the word (a systemic and complex science) arose. The success of any science is based on the work and achievements of scientists from all over the world community.

Among the forerunners of this scientific revolution in geography, Russian and German geographers should be mentioned first of all. Germany in the 19th century - an advanced industrial country with a developed science and culture, the experience of which traditionally went to Russian scientists. Returning home to Russia on a rich and varied "soil", they created Russian geography, original, unlike any other.

Varenius Bernhard (1622-1650). The main work is "General Geography" (1650). Born in Hamburg. He graduated from the Hamburg and Koenigsberg universities, later lived in Holland. Modern geography begins the countdown from it. According to Varenii, geography studies the amphibious circle formed by interpenetrating parts - earth, water, atmosphere. The amphibious circle studies general geography, separate areas - private geography. This is the first experience of a broad generalization of geography since antiquity, the first attempt to determine the subject and content of geography, based on new data on the Earth collected during the era of the Great Geographical Discoveries.

Humboldt Alexander (1769-1859). German naturalist, encyclopedist, geographer and traveler, who set himself the goal of creating a unified picture of the world. Exploring nature South America, revealed the significance of the analysis of relationships as a universal thread of all geographical science. He identified the bioclimatic latitudinal zonality and altitudinal zonality, proposed to use isotherms in climatic characteristics, laid the foundations of comparative physical geography. In his main work - "Space, the experience of physical world description" - he substantiated the view of the earth's surface (a subject of geography) as a special shell of the interaction of air, sea, Earth - the unity of inorganic and organic nature. He owns the term "life sphere", similar to the content of the biosphere, and in the final lines of the first part of "Cosmos ..." it is said about the sphere of the mind, which later received the name of the noosphere. Main works: "Pictures of Nature" (1808, Russian translation in 1959), " central Asia"(1843, in three volumes, Russian translation: T. 1 - M., 1915), "Cosmos, the experience of physical world description", 5 volumes (1845-62).

Ritter Karl (1779-1859) worked at the same time as A. Humboldt. Main works: "Earth science in relation to nature and to the history of man, or General comparative geography", "Ideas on comparative geography". Professor at the University of Berlin, founder of the first department of geography in Germany, which he led from 1820 until the end of his life. A brilliant teacher who listened to the young Karl Marx, Elise Reclus, P. P. Semyonov-Tyan-Shansky. The author of many works, one "Earth Science" covers 19 volumes, in which he contrasted spatial and historical development. There are many contradictory judgments in his writings, so some geographers admired his works, others subjected them to devastating criticism. But his main judgment is clear: the Earth is a subject of geography, "the dwelling place of the human race." Ritter is given the same place in geography as Hegel is in philosophy.

Semyonov-Tyan-Shansky Pyotr Petrovich (1827-1914) - an outstanding Russian geographer, explorer of Asia. From 1873 to 1914 headed the Russian Geographical Society. It was during this period famous expeditions N. M. Przhevalsky, N. N. Miklukho-Maclay and other Russian geographers brought worldwide fame to Russian geography. Main works: "Journey to the Tien Shan in 1856-57." (first published in 1946; new edition - M., 1958), "Foreword to the book" Geography of Asia ". Under his leadership, written and published" Geographic and Statistical Dictionary of the Russian Empire ", 5 volumes, St. Petersburg, 1865-1885 ; "Russia. A complete geographical description of our fatherland", 1911, 1899-1914. He understood geography as "a whole natural group of sciences", including hydrology, climatology, meteorology, orography, cartography, biogeography, geognosy (geomorphology), as well as a number of social disciplines: anthropology, historical geography, demography, statistics, political geography. Combining the theoretical and practical issues of the development of the natural environment, he created an original geographical school.

Richthofen Ferdinand (1833-1905). Prominent German geographer, traveler. In various years he was a professor at Bonn, Leipzig and Berlin universities. One of the creators of geomorphology. He believed that geography is designed to reveal the process of interaction of diverse phenomena with the relief of the earth's surface. He attached decisive importance in revealing the essence of geographical knowledge to the study of human interaction with the totality of natural phenomena within the earth's surface, and he represented geography as a science bordering between natural and social sciences. Major works: "Problems and methods of modern geography" (1883); "China. Results of own travels", 5 volumes with an atlas (1877-1911); "Geomorphological studies East Asia", 4 volumes (1903-11).

Dokuchaev Vasily Vasilyevich (1846-1903). Naturalist, professor Petersburg University, founder of the first in Russia department of soil science (1895) and the doctrine of natural areas. VV Dokuchaev is an exceptional phenomenon on the scale of our country and in world science. He and his students created a strong and fruitful scientific school, which enriched many sciences: geology, mineralogy, soil science, botany; the teaching about the forest appeared in the school. Among the sciences that have experienced the strongest influence of Vasily Vasilyevich is geography. Dokuchaev's students included the mineralogist and geochemist V.I. Vernadsky, the geologist and petrographer F.Yu. Levinson, Lessing, the soil scientists N.M. Sibirtsev and K.D. Tanfiliev, G. N. Vysotsky, hydrogeologist P. V. Ototsky, founder of the theory of the forest G. F. Morozov. Soil scientists and geographers L. I. Prasolov, B. B. Polanov, S. S. Neustroev, Yu. A. Liverovsky, botanists and geographers V. N. Sukachev (student of G. F. Morozov), geochemists A. E. Fersman and A. P. Vinogradov (students of V. I. Vernadsky). Among the Dokuchaevites of the third generation are soil scientists and geographers In. P. Gerasimov, M. A. Glazovskaya, A. I. Perelman and others. A. N. Krasnov's student was G. G. Grigor, long time Head of the Department of Geography at Tomsk University. Professors L. N. Ivanovsky, A. A. Zemtsov, A. M. Maloletko, P. A. Okishev are G. G. Grigor’s students and associates. The geographical ideas of the Dokuchaev school are preserved and developed to this day. Major works: "Russian Chernozem" (1883), "Our steppes before and now" (1892), "On the doctrine of natural zones" (1886).

Geography studies the origin and development of the earth's surface on the basis of complex studies, considers natural processes in space and time. It is a combination of theory and practice of science.

At the first stage of the development of science, geographers were engaged in collecting factual material: a description of what and where is located. But by the end of the 19th century, when the collection of material was completed, they turned to the analysis and synthesis of the collected material, to the study of the internal laws of natural and social development. Now the main questions of geography - why? - explanation, identification of the reasons for the existence and development of natural and socio-economic complexes, as well as questions: therefore? when? - foresight, prediction, forecast of the identified patterns of development. This is the most difficult thing that can be in science. And finally, the last question: what is it for? - For the construction of natural, social and economic processes for the purpose of managing them.

Modern geography is no longer a descriptive science. It is constructive - engineering-transformative, according to Jn. P. Gerasimov, and forecasting, dealing with fundamental developments of the problems of modern interaction between nature and society - the noosphere.

We are all familiar with such a multifaceted science as geography. It combines so much that scientists have decided to divide it into several separate sciences with narrower specializations. And the most interesting, in my opinion, is the section of physical geography. After all, it is he who is studying those zones of the Earth on which we live. But do we know everything about physical geography? Let me share my knowledge about it with you.

What is physical geography

From a scientific point of view, physical geography is a science whose task is to study the geographical shell of our planet, its structure, functioning and dynamics. And this geographical shell means such parts of the Earth as the earth's crust, biosphere, troposphere, stratosphere and hydrosphere. Between all these parts there is a constant exchange of energy and certain substances.

It is also impossible not to mention that physical geography is a branch not only of geography, but also of natural science.

What is physical geography divided into and what is it connected with

Being also a very extensive science, physical geography is divided into two main sections - this general geography and landscape science.

Geography is the foundation of physical geography, it focuses its study precisely on the geographical shell.

BUT landscape science deals, as its name implies, with terrestrial landscapes, their detailed structure, functioning and changes.

Returning again to physical geography, it is worth noting that it is inextricably connected with economic geography . This connection is due to the following phenomena:

any production is always built and developed in certain natural conditions;
the use of resources created by nature is the basis for any production;
we must not forget that the location and activities of these same industries, as a rule, have an impact (often negative) on the geographical envelope. And knowledge of physical geography about preventing (or correcting) these dangerous changes is simply necessary.

As you can see from my story, such a science as physical geography is no less important than its foundation - geography. She is inextricably linked to her.. And I hope that from my story you have learned something new for yourself. Good luck on your travels!

The fascinating subject of geography is scientific direction that studies the earth's surface, oceans and seas, the environment and ecosystems, and the interaction between human society and the environment. Geography word in literal translation from ancient Greek means "description of the earth". Below is general definition term geography:

"Geography is a system of scientific knowledge that studies the physical features of the Earth and environment including the impact of human activities on these factors, and vice versa. The subject also covers patterns of population distribution, land use, availability and production.

Scholars who study geography are known as geographers. These people are engaged in the study of the natural environment of our planet and human society. Although the cartographers of the ancient world were known as geographers, today it is a relatively independent specialty. Geographers tend to focus on two main areas of geographical study: physical geography and human geography.

History of the development of geography

The term "geography" was coined by the ancient Greeks, who not only created detailed maps surrounding area, and also explained the difference between people and natural landscapes in different places Earth. Over time, the rich heritage of geography has taken a fateful journey into the bright Islamic minds. The golden age of Islam witnessed astonishing achievements in the field of geographical sciences. Islamic geographers became famous for their pioneering discoveries. New lands were explored and the first base grid for the map system was developed. Chinese civilization also instrumentally contributed to the development of early geography. The compass developed by the Chinese was used by explorers to explore the unknown.

A new chapter in the history of science begins with the period of great geographical discoveries, a period coinciding with the European Renaissance. AT European world awakened a fresh interest in geography. Marco Polo - Venetian merchant and traveler led this new era of exploration. Commercial interests in establishing trade contacts with the rich civilizations of Asia, such as China and India, became the main incentive for travel at that time. Europeans have moved forward in all directions, discovering new lands, unique cultures and. The enormous potential of geography for shaping the future of human civilization was recognized, and in the 18th century, it was introduced as a major discipline at the university level. Relying on geographical knowledge, people began to discover new ways and means to overcome the difficulties generated by nature, which led to the prosperity of human civilization in all corners of the world. In the 20th century, aerial photography, satellite technology, computerized systems, and sophisticated software radically changed science and made the study of geography more complete and detailed.

Branches of geography

Geography can be considered as an interdisciplinary science. The subject includes a transdisciplinary approach, which allows you to observe and analyze objects in the space of the Earth, as well as develop solutions to problems based on this analysis. The discipline of geography can be divided into several areas of scientific research. Primary classification geography divides the approach to the subject into two broad categories: physical geography and socio-economic geography.

Physiography

is defined as a branch of geography that includes the study of natural objects and phenomena (or processes) on Earth.

Physical geography is further subdivided into the following branches:

Geomorphology: engaged in the study of topographic and bathymetric features of the Earth's surface. Science helps to elucidate various aspects related to landforms, such as their history and dynamics. Geomorphology also tries to predict future changes physical characteristics appearance Earth.
Glaciology: a branch of physical geography that studies the relationship between the dynamics of glaciers and their impact on the ecology of the planet. Thus, glaciology involves the study of the cryosphere, including alpine and continental glaciers. Glacial geology, snow hydrology, etc. are some subdisciplines of glaciological research.
Oceanography: Since the oceans contain 96.5% of all water on Earth, the specialized discipline of oceanography is dedicated to their study. The science of oceanography includes geological oceanography (the study of the geological aspects of the ocean floor, seamounts, volcanoes, etc.), biological oceanography (the study of marine life, fauna and ecosystems of the ocean), chemical oceanography (the study chemical composition sea waters and their impact on marine forms life), physical oceanography (the study of ocean movements such as waves, currents, tides).
Hydrology: another important branch of physical geography, dealing with the study of the properties and dynamics of the movement of water in relation to land. It explores the rivers, lakes, glaciers and underground aquifers of the planet. Hydrology studies the continuous movement of water from one source to another, above and below the surface of the Earth, through.
Soil science: branch of science that studies Various types soils in their natural environment on the surface of the earth. Helps to collect information and knowledge about the process of formation (pedogenesis), composition, texture and classification of soils.
: an indispensable discipline of physical geography that studies the dispersal of living organisms in the geographic space of the planet. It also studies the distribution of species over geological time periods. Each geographic region has its own unique ecosystems, and biogeography explores and explains their relationship to physical geographic features. There are various branches of biogeography: zoogeography (the geographical distribution of animals), phytogeography (the geographical distribution of plants), island biogeography (the study of factors affecting individual ecosystems), etc.
Paleogeography: branch of physical geography that studies geographical features at various points in time geological history Earth. Science helps geographers gain information about continental positions and plate tectonics as determined by studying paleomagnetism and fossil records.
Climatology: Scientific research climate, as well as the most important section of geographical research in modern world. Considers all aspects related to micro or local climate, as well as macro or global climate. Climatology also includes the study of the influence of human society on climate, and vice versa.
Meteorology: studies weather conditions, atmospheric processes and phenomena that affect local and global weather.
Ecological geography: explores interactions between people individuals or society) and their natural environment from a spatial point of view.
Coastal geography: a specialized field of physical geography that also includes the study of socio-economic geography. It is devoted to the study of the dynamic interaction between the coastal zone and the sea. Physical processes that form coasts and the influence of the sea on landscape change. The study also involves understanding the impacts of coastal dwellers on the topography and ecosystem of the coast.
Quaternary geology: a highly specialized branch of physical geography dealing with the study Quaternary period Earth (geographical history of the Earth, covering the last 2.6 million years). This allows geographers to learn about the environmental changes that have taken place in the recent past of the planet. Knowledge is used as a tool to predict future changes in the world's environment.
Geomatics: the technical branch of physical geography that involves the collection, analysis, interpretation, and storage of data about the earth's surface.
landscape ecology: science that studies the influence of various landscapes of the Earth on ecological processes and ecosystems of the planet.

Human geography

Human geography, or socio-economic geography, is a branch of geography that studies the impact of the environment on human society and the earth's surface, as well as the influence anthropogenic activities to the planet. Socio-economic geography is focused on the study of the most developed creatures in the world from an evolutionary point of view - people and their environment.

This branch of geography is divided into various disciplines depending on the direction of research:

Geography population: deals with the study of how nature determines the distribution, growth, composition, lifestyle and migration of human populations.
Historical geography: explains the change and development of geographical phenomena over time. While this section is seen as a branch of human geography, it also focuses on certain aspects of physical geography. Historical geography tries to understand why, how and when places and regions on the Earth change, and what impact they have on human society.
Cultural geography: explores how and why cultural preferences and norms change across spaces and places. Thus, it is concerned with the study of the spatial variations of human cultures, including religion, language, livelihood choices, politics, and so on.
Economical geography: the most important section of socio-economic geography, covering the study of location, distribution and organization economic activity person in geographic space.
Political geography: considers the political boundaries of the countries of the world and the division between countries. She also studies how spatial structures influence political functions, and vice versa. Military geography, electoral geography, geopolitics are some of the sub-disciplines of political geography.
Geography of health: explores the impact geographical location on the health and well-being of people.
Social geography: studies the quality and standard of living of the human population of the world and tries to understand how and why such standards change depending on place and space.
Geography settlements: researches urban and rural settlements, economic structure, infrastructure, etc., as well as the dynamics of human settlement in relation to space and time.
Geography of animals: studies animal world Earth and interdependence between humans and animals.

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Introduction

Geography is a diversified science. This is due to the complexity and diversity of the main object of its study - the geographic envelope of the Earth. Located on the boundary of the interaction of intraterrestrial and external (including space) processes, the geographic envelope includes the upper layers of the solid crust, the hydrosphere, the atmosphere, and the scattered in them organic matter. Depending on the position of the Earth in the ecliptic orbit and due to the inclination of its axis of rotation, various parts of the earth's surface receive different amount solar heat, the further redistribution of which, in turn, is due to the uneven latitude of the ratio of land and sea.

The current state of the geographic envelope should be considered as the result of its long evolution - starting from the emergence of the Earth and its formation on a planetary path of development.

A correct understanding of the processes and phenomena of different spatio-temporal scales occurring in the geographic envelope requires at least their multi-level consideration, starting from the global - planetary. At the same time, the study of processes of a general planetary nature has until recently been considered the prerogative of the geological sciences. In the general geographic synthesis, information of this level was practically not used, and if it was involved, it was rather passive and limited. However, the industry division natural sciences rather conditionally and does not have clear boundaries. They have a common object of research - the Earth and its cosmic environment. The study of the various properties of this single object and the processes occurring in it required the development various methods research, which largely predetermined their branch division. In this regard, geographical science has more advantages over other branches of knowledge, because. It has the most developed infrastructure, which makes it possible to conduct a comprehensive study of the Earth and its surrounding space.

In the arsenal of geography are methods for studying the solid, liquid and gas components of the geographic shell, living and inert matter, the processes of their evolution and interaction.

On the other hand, it should be noted that important fact that even 10-15 years ago most of studies on the problems of the structure and evolution of the Earth and its outer geospheres, including the geographic shell, remained “waterless”. When and how water appeared on the surface of the Earth and what are the ways of its further evolution - all this remained outside the attention of researchers.

At the same time, as was shown (Orlyonok, 1980-1985), water is main outcome evolution of the protosubstance of the Earth and the most important component of the geographic envelope. Its gradual accumulation on the Earth's surface, accompanied by volcanism and descending movements of different amplitudes earth's crust, predetermined, starting from the Proterozoic, and possibly even earlier, the course of evolution of the gas envelope, relief, the ratio of the area and configuration of land and sea, and with them the conditions of sedimentation, climate and life. In other words, the free water produced by the planet and carried to the surface essentially determined the course and all the features of the evolution of the planet's geographic envelope. Without it, the whole appearance of the Earth, its landscapes, climate, organic world would be completely different. The prototype of such an Earth is easily guessed on the waterless and lifeless surface of Venus, partly the Moon and Mars.

Geographic Science System

Physical geography - Greek. physis - nature, geo - Earth, grapho - I write. The same, literally - a description of the nature of the Earth, or land description, geoscience.

The literal definition of the subject of physical geography is too general. Compare: "geology", "geobotany".

To give a more precise definition of the subject of physical geography, it is necessary:

show the spatial structure of science;

establish the relationship of this science with other sciences.

From your school geography course, you know that geography is the study of the nature of the earth's surface and those material values which are created on it by mankind. In other words, geography is a science that does not exist in the singular. This, of course, is physical geography and economic geography. It can be imagined that this is a system of sciences.

From a systematic standpoint, geography is the science of geosystems. Geosystem(s), according to V.B.Sochava (1978), are terrestrial spaces of all dimensions, where individual components of nature are in a system connection with each other and, as a certain integrity, interact with the cosmic sphere and human society.

Main properties of geosystems:

a) integrity, unity;

b) Component, elementary (element - Greek elementary, indivisible);

c) Hierarchical subordination, a certain order of construction, functioning;

d) Relationship through functioning, exchange.

Like physics, chemistry, biology and other sciences, modern geography is a complex system of scientific disciplines that separated themselves at different times (Fig. 2).

Rice. 2. The system of geographical science according to V.A. Anuchin

The understanding of society as part of nature begins to determine the entire nature of production. Society, experiencing the impact of nature, also experiences the impact of the laws of nature. But the latter are refracted in society and become specific (the law of reproduction is the law of population). It is social laws that determine the development of society (solid line in Fig. 2).

A reasonable person should not forget about the existing system connection. N.N. said this very well. Baransky: "There should be neither 'inhuman' physical geography, nor 'unnatural' economic geography."

In addition, the modern geographer must take into account the fact that the nature of the earth's surface has already been changed by human activity, so modern society must measure its impact on nature with the intensity of the natural process.

Modern geography is a triune science that unites nature, population, and economy.

Each of the sciences: physical, economic, social geography, in turn, represents a complex of sciences.

Complex of physical and geographical science

The physical-geographical complex is one of the main concepts of physical geography. It consists of parts, elements and components: air, water, lithogenic base (rocks and unevenness of the earth's surface), soil and living organisms (plants, animals, microorganisms). Their combination forms a natural-territorial complex (NTC) of the earth's surface. NTC can be considered as the entire earth's surface, individual continents, oceans, as well as small areas: the slope of a ravine, a swamp. PTK is a unity that exists in origin (in the past) and in development (present, future).

Animal geography (zoogeography) is the science of the patterns of distribution of animal species.

Biogeography is the geography of organic life.

Oceanology is the science of the World Ocean as part of the hydrosphere.

Landscape science is the science of the landscape environment, the thin, most active central layer of the geographic envelope, consisting of natural territorial complexes of various ranks.

Cartography is a general geographical (at the system level) science of geographical maps, methods of their creation and use.

Country studies are physical and geographical, studying the nature of individual countries and regions (the physical geography of Russia, Asia, Africa, etc.).

Glaciology and geocryology (permafrost) are the sciences about the conditions for the emergence, development and forms of ground (glaciers, snowfields, avalanches, sea ice) and lithospheric (permafrost, underground glaciation) ice.

Geography (actually physical geography) studies the geographical shell (the nature of the earth's surface) as an integral material system- general patterns of its structure, origin, internal and external relationships, functioning to develop a system for modeling and managing ongoing processes.