We are happy to present the book on “Fundamentals of Human Geography” which is
written on the syllabus of F.Y.B.Sc. Semester II (Geography) of the Savitribai Phule Pune
University, Pune. For the convenience of the students we have also incorporated “Practicals
in Human Geography” in this book. We hope students and teachers will welcome this book
by heart.
Human geography is an applied branch of geography. The focus of this branch of
knowledge is the human being. The main purpose of human geography is to study the innate
(biological) and acquired (social, economic, political, historical, cultural) characteristics of
humans. Due to the differences in the natural environment in different regions of the earth,
there is diversity in human occupation and human life. All this diversity is studied in human
geography. Human geography is a branch of knowledge that connects the natural and social
sciences. Thus the scope of human geography is very wide, however, considering the total
periods required for teaching during the entire semester only few aspects of human life are
included in the present syllabus. Main focus is given on population, settlement and agriculture.
This book covers the sub-points like the introduction to human geography, factors affecting
the distribution of population, types of rural settlements and few topics on agriculture
especially types of agriculture like subsistence agriculture and intensive agriculture, factors
affecting Indian agriculture and problems of Indian agriculture. An attempt is made to study
a few practicals on these related topics of human geography. While presenting the practicals
we have tried to explain the techniques and solve some problems.
The entire book is prepared on the computer. All figures in the book are drawn on a
computer; therefore, the book has become more illustrative and informative. Most of the
important points are explained with the help of figures. This is the special feature of this
book. The entire text is arranged in such a way that the students can perceive the knowledge
very easily. Another feature of this book is the exercise given at the end of every chapter. In
this part we have tried to ask a large number of multiple choice questions and short and long
answered questions. This will help the students prepare themselves for all examinations at all
levels.
We are thankful to Shri. Rangrao Patil, proprietor of Prashant Publications, Jalgaon,
because of whom the present book has come into existence. We are also thankful to the
principals, staff members of Library Departments of Pratap College, Amalner and SSGM
College, Kopargaon. We express our sincere thanks to our family members especially Mrs.
Ashalata Chaudhari, Shri. Ashish Chaudhari, Mrs. Vishakha Chaudhari and Mrs. Lina
Chaudhari without their co-operation the book would have been incomplete.