World Geography Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

World Geography - Essay Example It is undeniable that human beings derived numerous benefits from the study of earth’s geography through ages. Jerry and Martin (2000) agreed that geographic knowledge was instrumental or rather paramount during construction of the first world map. This first map commonly referred to as the Babylonian world map dates back to 600BC. According to Talbert and Richard (2009), invention of geography as a definite field of study would later be credited to Pythagoras, renowned for his approved claim that the earth is spherical. Subsequently, Pythagoras claim would open doors to advanced arithmetic perception of the spherical earth. From 2nd Century AD, Roman scholars employed the use of latitudes and longitudes in determining geographical difference in time. Harrison, Massey and Richards (2004) said that by the 10th Century, skilled geographers from the west could calculate with high precision the distance between various points on earth. This was the time when researchers started do cumenting detailed knowledge about the planet’s habitability. Eventually, medieval studies of the earth’s phenomena would soon pave way for western explorer like Christopher Columbus, accredited with discovery of new lands, especially America. In the early 18th Century, geography scholars struggled with the problem of longitudinal relations with time. According to James and Trapasso (2006), conflicts surrounding this problem came to a halt in 1760s when John Harrison used a chronometer and accurately acknowledged the Greenwich meridian as the reference longitude.