Economic and Social Geography

Book excerpt: Economic and Social Geography reviews developments in the study of economic and social geography and brings together in a single volume work which is dispersed in many specialist textbooks. An attempt has been made to achieve a balance between oversimplification and over-elaboration, and to present essential concepts in a clear, concise manner. The book contains 25 chapters organized into five parts. Part One deals with the study of economic and social geography, including approaches to the study of human geography and environmental perception and behavior. Part Two on population geography covers topics such as population geography, population change, and population growth. Part Three on economic geography includes discussions of transportation, agriculture, and mineral resources. Part Four on settlement geography examines urbanization, the internal structure of towns and cities, and rural settlement. Part Five is devoted to urban and rural planning, problems of economic development, and resources. This book, together with its companion volume, Physical Geography Made Simple, should be of value to a variety of people. First, to those who are coming to academic geography for the first time, especially to those studying for GCE Advanced Level or ONC/OND examinations. It should also provide a concise introduction to first-year courses in further and higher education, including degree courses with a geography component, HNC/HND, and Certificate in Education courses.