Subfields of Human Geography

The following are the main subfields of human geog­
raphy.

Cultural geography deals with tl1c location and diffu­sion of beliefs, customs and other cultural traits. Thus, the habitat, clothing, food habits, skills, tools and social

organisation are all aspects studied by cultural geography.
So~ial geography is close to cultural geography. It examines the relationships among groups of people, and how these social relationships affect the places where people live and work.
Economic geography deals with the location and distribution of economic activities or human activity aimed at improving material well-being through production, ex­change, distribution and consumption of goods and ser­vices. This field is concerned with spatial relations and the environmental and human factors that affect the develop­ment and growth of these activities; these factors are transportation, labour supply, and resources.
Population geography is concerned with patterns of population and the reasons for a change in those patterns. It deals with birth and death rates, age and sex composition, the literacy level of populations. It also studies population movements, family size, house types and settlements.
Urban geography is concerned with cities and other urban areas, examining the importance of location in the development of cities. It could also study the distribution
of various groups within a city or why slums develop some places.
Political geography attempts to analyse the ways: which organised groups of people in different places ma} decisions or gain and use power within a political systen This branch is also concerned with relations betwee independent states, frontiers, boundaries, problems ( political instability, patterns of voting, and regional plar ning.
Historical geography tries to picturise the geograph of a region or an area as it was in the past and studie how it has evolved over time. It is concerned with the geographic forces that have caused the changes.

Anthrogeography studies the distribution of human communities on the earth in relation to their geographical environment.

Agricultural geography studies the development 01 different kinds of farrns and farming systems in particular areas and compares them with the farms and farming systems of other areas.