Who Invented Geography? Discover Eratosthenes' Contributions
Explore the origins of geography and Eratosthenes' pivotal role in its development.
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The concept of geography has evolved over millennia, but Eratosthenes is often credited as one of the early pioneers. Living in the 3rd century BCE, Eratosthenes made significant contributions, including calculating the Earth's circumference and developing a system of latitude and longitude.
FAQs & Answers
- What major contributions did Eratosthenes make to geography? Eratosthenes contributed to geography by calculating the Earth's circumference and developing a coordinate system with latitude and longitude.
- Why is geography important? Geography is important because it helps us understand the relationships between people, places, and the environment, influencing culture, economics, and politics.
- What did Eratosthenes use to calculate the Earth's circumference? Eratosthenes used the angle of shadows cast by sticks in different locations and the distance between them to calculate the Earth's circumference.
- Who were other key figures in the development of geography? Key figures include Claudius Ptolemy, who developed the first map projections, and Ibn Khaldun, known for his work on historical geography.