Who Invented Geography? The Legacy of Eratosthenes

Discover how Eratosthenes invented geography and laid the foundational methods for understanding our planet.

0 views

Geography was created by the ancient Greeks, notably Eratosthenes. He coined the term and was among the first to calculate the Earth's circumference. His systematic methods laid the groundwork for the field.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What did Eratosthenes contribute to geography? Eratosthenes contributed to geography by coining the term itself and being one of the first to measure the Earth's circumference accurately.
  2. How did ancient Greeks shape the field of geography? The ancient Greeks, particularly through the works of Eratosthenes and others, developed systematic methods and frameworks that laid the foundations of modern geography.
  3. Why is Eratosthenes known as the father of geography? Eratosthenes is known as the father of geography because he created the term and applied mathematical calculations to understand the dimensions of the Earth.
  4. What methods did Eratosthenes use to calculate Earth’s circumference? Eratosthenes used geometric calculations based on the angle of the Sun's rays at two locations in Egypt to estimate the Earth's circumference accurately.