Human Geography

Human geography is a branch of geography that focuses on the study of the human population and their cultural, economic, and social interactions with the environment. It examines the distribution of human populations across the globe, the impact of human activity on the natural environment, and the ways in which people use and manage natural resources.

Learn about the different areas of human geography including economic geography, population geography, cultural geography, and more.

Bar chart show voting versus non voting cardinals.

Map and Chart of Cardinals and the 2025 Papal Conclave

Caitlin Dempsey

The 2025 papal conclave is underway. Here's which countries the 135 voting cardinals eligible to elect the next pope come from.

A collage of satellite images showing various agricultural patterns.

Types of Agricultural Patterns Visible from Space

Elizabeth Borneman

Agricultural landscapes, when viewed from space, reveal distinct patterns shaped by historical practices, local geography, and technological influences.

The Earth can be divided into two main systems: the geosphere and the biosphere. Image: USGS, public domain.

What are the Earth System’s Four Spheres?

Caitlin Dempsey

The systems of the earth can be divided into two main areas: geosphere and biosphere.

Tourists with cameras photography a grizzly bear crossing the road.

The Recreational Value of Nature and Wildlife

Mark Altaweel

Measuring the economic benefits of wildlife and outdoor areas supports conservation with tools like the NPS Visitor Spending Effects.

The Diomedes Islands mark the closest point between Russia and the United States.

These Two Countries are Separated by 2.4 Miles and 21 Hours

Caitlin Dempsey

There exists a geographic point where two of the largest countries in the world are only separated by a 2.4 miles but are 21 hours apart.

A small child riding a kids red play scooter on a sidewalk.

Using GIS to Design Child-Friendly Cities

Mark Altaweel

Using GIS, cities can design child-friendly pedestrian pathways that prioritize children's interests and safety, promoting urban living and sustainability.

A series of maps measuring heat stress and heat risk reduction in a neighborhood in Washington D.C. and the relationship to urban tree cover.

Urban Tree Canopy Affects How Heat Stress Impacts Residents

Mark Altaweel

Minority and low-income neighborhoods have 11% fewer trees, are 1.5°C hotter, and have 14% more impervious surfaces than wealthier, whiter areas.

Photo of the Espada Acequia in San Antonio, Texas.

Acequias in the Southwest U.S.

Caitlin Dempsey

In New Mexico and other Southwestern states, acequias are channels that are dug to divert water from snow runoff and rivers in order to irrigate fields.

A small brown bird holding a small caterpillar.

How Inequality Affects Urban Wildlife

Mark Altaweel

More access to green space and mature trees in wealthier neighborhoods in the United States has also led to a greater diversity of wildlife in those areas.

A couple of small white boats on a hazy day out in the ocean with the coastline in the background.

Mapping Human Activities in the Oceans

Mark Altaweel

Geospatial technologies are being used to map human activities in our oceans, from fishing to transport.

A dove sitting in a tree.

The Gray-Green Urban Divide: How Wealth and Poverty are Visible from Space

Caitlin Dempsey

Known as the "gray-green divide”, the amount of trees and green space can be an indicator of the income level of the neighborhood.

An AI drawing of a cite with buildings organized in circles.

Using AI to Design Cities

Mark Altaweel

Researchers now are trying to use artificial intelligence techniques, including deep reinforcement learning, to design more efficient and sustainable urban spaces.

Map showing the standard time zones for the entire world. PDF with a higher resolution. Map: CIA, 2018, public domain.

Which Country Has the Most Time Zones?

Caitlin Dempsey

Find out which country has the most time zones and how many countries in the world have at least two time zones.

A satellite image showing the location of a bridge between Sweden and Denmark across dark blue water with an island in the middle of the strait.

Europe’s Longest Road and Railway Bridge

Caitlin Dempsey

The Øresund Bridge connects Denmark and Sweden, spanning the Øresund Strait with a 16-kilometer-long bridge-tunnel.

Dark blue book cover with golden lettering and an elaborate compass rose in gold.

License to Travel: A Cultural History of the Passport | Geography Book Review

G.T. Dempsey

More anecdotal than history, License to Travel is both an engaging and instructive book.

Map showing the six New England states in red and the red of the states in grey for the continental United States.

Which States are Part of New England?

Caitlin Dempsey

New England is a geographic region in the northeastern tip of the United States that contains six states.

Top is an aerial of a section of Long Island City and bottom is a city map of the same section from 1879. The historical map has muted pinks and greens for the different areas and show streets and the river.

Lost Underground Rivers

Mark Altaweel

Cities like London and New York City have a long history of paving over rivers.

Green and white book cover with circular maps.

Geography is Destiny: Britain and the World | Book Review

G.T. Dempsey

Ian Morris provides a most-useful survey history of Britain from geologic time to the present centered around three maps. 

A replica of the Matterhorn mountain behind an alpine inspired building in Disneyland.

Geography Trivia About Disneyland

Caitlin Dempsey

Disneyland has some fascinating geography trivia.

Shaded relief map with yellows and greens to show the change with every US Census for the mean center of population which is shown as red dots.

Population Center of the United States

Caitlin Dempsey

Every ten years, the U.S. Census Bureau maps out the mean and median population centers in the United States.

A map with natural shaded relief of the United States with neighboring countries shown with a muted white overlay.

Continental vs. Contiguous United States: Key Differences Explained

Caitlin Dempsey

Continental and contiguous are two geographical words used to describe parts of the United States.

Fact sheet with Landsat image for the state of Rhode Island.

Geography Facts: Rhode Island

Caitlin Dempsey

Learn geography trivia about the smallest state in the United States.

A black and white dot map of all the centers of ZIP codes in the continental United States.

ZIP Codes in the United States

Caitlin Dempsey

It’s likely that if you routinely send mail to a location within the United States, you know how critical it ...

A satellite image of the state of Iowa against a black background with the state flag and USGS and NASA logos in the upper right and left corners.

Geography of Iowa

Marques Hayes

Iowa is a state with many distinct geographies.

Map showing major rivers in the world that form international borders.

Rivers as Borders

Caitlin Dempsey

23% of international borders are rivers.

Satellite image of an algae bloom off the coast of New York and New Jersey, August 3, 2015.

Geography of Sewage Contamination in the Ocean

Elizabeth Borneman

80% of the sewage produced by the global population makes its way into the world’s oceans untreated.

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