Definition of geography

The word "geography" has its roots in the Greek language. It was coined in the 15th century from the combination of two Greek words: "ge" meaning "earth" and "graphia" meaning "description" or "writing". The term literally means "writing about the earth" or "description of the earth". The word "geography" was first used by the Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator in his 1538 book "Geographia", which was a collection of maps and geographical descriptions. Over time, the term gained popularity and became a standard term in the field of study of places, people, and the environment. Today, geography is a widely recognized and important field of study that encompasses physical, human, and regional geography, as well as urban and environmental studies, among others.