A Definition of Geography: What is Where, Why There, and Why Care?

Teaching an introductory unit on geography to middle school students can be challenging because geography is such an interdisciplinary subject. It encompasses both the natural features of Earth and the processes that shape it, as well as human interactions with each other and the environment. Given its broad scope, I like to introduce geography with a simple yet powerful definition by Professor Charles F. Gritzner: “What is Where, Why There, and Why Care?”

This concise definition helps students grasp the essence of geography and provides a clear framework for analyzing the world around them. To reinforce this, I start my lesson with an article-based activity, using Gritzner’s full (linked here) and a set of guiding questions.

Step 1: Reading & Discussion

First, I have students read the article and answer a few key comprehension questions to help them process the main ideas:

1. What is the primary focus of geography, according to the author?

2. How does the author differentiate between history and geography?

3. What does the author mean by "spatial analysis" in the context of geography?

4. What are the four key elements of the author’s definition of geography?

5. What does the term "cultural ecology" refer to, and why is it important in geography?

6. Explain the significance of the question “Why there?” in geographic inquiry.

7. How does the author use the example of Sioux Falls to illustrate the importance of location in geography?

8. What role does scale (local, regional, global) play in geographic analysis?

This ensures that students not only read the article but also engage with its ideas critically and thoughtfully.

Step 2: Breaking Down the Definition

After discussing the article, we deconstruct Gritzner’s definition into its four key components:

• What is? – The physical and human features of a place.

• Where? – The location and distribution of those features.

• Why There? – The reasons behind their location.

• Why Care? – The relevance and implications for people.

To model this approach, I guide students through an example analysis using the Amazon Rainforest.

🌿 What is there?

• The largest tropical rainforest on Earth, home to millions of species, including jaguars and sloths.

• The Amazon River, one of the longest in the world, flows through it.

• Indigenous communities have lived here for thousands of years.

📍 Where is it?

• Located in South America, spanning nine countries, mostly in Brazil.

• Found near the equator, with a hot, humid climate and heavy rainfall.

🌎 Why is it there?

• Climate: High temperatures and consistent rainfall create ideal conditions for a dense rainforest.

• Geology: The Amazon Basin supports extensive river networks and biodiversity.

• Human Impact: Indigenous peoples practice sustainable farming, but deforestation is increasing due to agriculture and logging.

⚠️ Why should we care?

• The Amazon is the “lungs of the Earth”, producing a large quantity of of the world’s oxygen and storing massive amounts of carbon.

• It is home to one in ten known species, many of which are used in medicine.

• Deforestation threatens biodiversity, indigenous cultures, and accelerates climate change.

Step 3: Student-Led Analysis

For the final activity, students select a topic from a list and apply the "What is Where, Why There, and Why Care?" framework to analyze it. Some examples they can choose from include:

🌍 Physical Geography	🏙 Human Geography
The Sahara Desert The Himalayan Mountains The Great Barrier Reef The Pacific Ring of Fire	Urbanization in Shanghai Deforestation in the Amazon The Panama Canal The Three Gorges Dam (China)

This activity not only reinforces their understanding of geography but also boosts their confidence in applying geographic concepts to real-world scenarios.