Geographers study the distribution and location of physical location at the local, regional and global scale. Geographers have to concentrate more on physical geography in topics such as bio geography, climatology, geomorphology and hydrology. Geography in the arts stream focuses on economic, social, history and urban geography.

Geographical information system (GIS) uses computers for storing and processing information about the Earth?s surface and land use. GIS specialists focus on the scientific theory of geographic information and analysis and develop new geographic information systems and application.

Nature of Work

Geographers have to work in various sectors to study the distribution of soils and its mineral content, vegetation, landforms, climate, and water resources. The job of geographers is to involve surveying, mapping, cartography and some meteorological tools. Geographers follow up the field work by analyzing aerial photographs. They have to prepare maps, diagrams and graphs to record their survey data for future use.

Geography is classified into various sectors:

? Physical geography: It is concerned with the study of physical phenomenon such as Climate, landforms, vegetation, oceans etc. Physical geographers understand and analyze climatic patterns.

? Human Geography: Human geography is the study of the interaction of people with the environment.

? Medical geographers: Medical geography is the study of health patterns such as the impact of vegetation, minerals, water supply, climate and environment on life in the region.

? Cartographers: Cartography is that branch of geography in which physical data is collected for preparation of maps.

Work Environment

Geographers have to spend their time in collecting data to collate and analyze information. GIS is an indoor work at a computer terminal.

Employment Avenues

Geographers may find opportunities for working with the meteorological office, in environment protection organizations, or in soil survey work. Geographers are also employed as forest managers, demographers in government and research organizations or as researchers in agricultural or economic institutes.

The field work is demanding as the terrain where work is assigned could be a difficult one. Geographers may have to spend substantial periods of time away from home at the site.