Human Geography October: What is Human Geography?

Human Geography is an area of geography that studies the relationships between people and their environments where you examine the cultural, economic, political and social issues that influence regions and places. Human geographers study spatial patterns and focus on interaction and movement of people, as well as the interaction between people and nature. By exploring these complex relationships, we gain an insight into current global issues like climate change, inequality, and urban development.

What are the key areas of Human Geography?

• Economic Geography – Why are some areas richer than others? Economic Geography focuses on the distribution of economic activities and analyzes topics like trade, industry, agriculture, and the global economy's impact on different regions.
• Environmental Geography – How do humans interact with nature? Environmental Geography studies the interaction between humans and the natural environment, focusing on issues like sustainability, resource management, and human impacts on ecosystems.
• Political Geography – How do power and politics affect our world? Political Geography explores how political processes, such as the formation of states, borders, geopolitical relationships, and struggles for justice influence the organization and control of different spaces.
• Population Geography – Why do people move and settle where they do? Population Geography looks at the distribution, density, growth, and movement of human populations, examining issues like voluntary and forced migration.
• Social & Cultural Geography – How do social and cultural aspects of human life shape the places we live and how do those places shape social life? Social and Cultural Geography studies class, race, gender, sexuality, language, religion, traditions and how these cultural features mould physical spaces and each other.
• Urban Geography – How do cities develop and change? What allows people to have a good urban life? Urban Geography studies the development, structure, and functioning of cities and towns, analyzing urbanization, land use, gentrification, transportation, and the challenges of urban planning.

What is the difference between Human Geography and Physical Geography?

Human Geography explores the relationships between people and their environments, where you focus on cultural, economic, political and social issues. Physical Geography studies the natural environment, where you learn about the earth’s physical surface.

Explore the world through the Arts

A Bachelor of Arts majoring in Human Geography will have you studying the relationship between human societies and the environments in which we live. You will investigate how concepts like place, space, mobility, and globalization shape human interactions, resource use, urban development, social inequalities, and sustainability.

A Bachelor of Arts majoring in Urban Worlds will have you analyzing the experience of city life in various global settings and learning about a range of topics such as gentrification, homelessness, and migration. You will learn how urban change influences social transformation forging for a positive future. Stay tuned for more information on our new major!

What can you study?

Careers in Human Geography

Career Pathways for Human Geography graduates are diverse. Career and Volunteer Services can help guide you in choosing a career with your Human Geography major. You can work as:

Student Stories in Human Geography