Eratosthenic latitude and longitude. The outstanding scientist Eratosthenes, already known to us, was the first to use the term "geography", which he used to describe the appearance of the Earth (from the Greek "geo" - the Earth and "grapho" - I write, describe). His famous "Geography" in three papyrus volumes was not a simple (verbal) text, but a representation of the appearance of the Earth based on precise mathematical calculations.

Eratosthenes carefully studied the location of cities, islands, peninsulas and other geographical objects. He compared the height seen from them polar star over the horizon. For this, the scientist used a complex astronomical instrument - the astrolabe. With the help of this goniometric tool, which served to determine the position of celestial bodies above the horizon, it was possible to make calculations with great accuracy (up to 1/4 degree).

When the scientist discovered that the height of the North Star seen from certain points is the same, he came up with a brilliant idea. Based on the research and conclusions about the sphericity of the Earth made by Aristotle, Eratosthenes connected these points with straight lines. It turned out that they are parallel to the equator and to each other. That is why they are called parallels. The equator is the zero parallel. The distance from zero parallel to a given object, measured in degrees, Eratosthenes called geographic latitude. To the north of the equator begins the region northern latitudes, to the south - south. In addition, Eratosthenes mapped vertical lines perpendicular to the parallels, which he called meridians. The geographic longitude is determined by the meridian. To the east of the zero meridian is the region of eastern longitudes, to the west - western ones. (Remember what is considered the prime meridian these days.)

3. Measurements of the height of celestial bodies above the horizon using an astrolabe. 4. Geography began with measurements. 5. Map compiled according to the calculations of Eratosthenes.

Eratosthenic latitude and longitude are called geographical coordinates. He built a grid of parallels and meridians and on its basis compiled the first map of the world, taking into account the sphericity of the Earth. It was used until the end of the 1st century AD. e.

Eratosthenes was convinced that the method of constructing a picture of the world, based on calculations and measurements, and not on the stories of merchants and sailors, was the only true one.

Unfortunately, only separate fragments from his "Geography" have come down to us. Most of it burned down during a fire in the Alexandria library. Nevertheless, the discoveries of Eratosthenes had great value and ushered in an era scientific observations and accurate measurements of the Earth's surface. They were ahead of their time by centuries.

AT late XIX At the beginning of the 20th century, more precise instruments and devices were created and unique methods for studying the Earth's surface were developed. BUT space age opened up new opportunities for modern scientists in the study of our planet.

Questions and tasks

1. When and by whom was the first book on geography written? What information did it contain?
2. What geographical latitude and geographic longitude? Where are the zero parallel and prime meridian?
3. Explain what geographic coordinates are for.
4. Representatives of what professions need to be able to determine geographical coordinates?
5. Using additional sources(Internet, books, magazines), find examples modern methods study of the earth. What are they needed for?
6. Tell us about the contribution of the ancient Greek scientist Eratosthenes to the development of science - geography.

There are many sciences, the object of study of which is the Earth and its nature. This article will discuss one of them. And what is she studying? Who and when introduced this term into science?

Earth sciences

There is a whole complex of sciences, the object of study of which is one - the Earth and its nature. They are also called physics (a term from ancient Greek and translated as "nature"), biology, ecology, chemistry and, of course, geography. Next, we will consider in more detail the goals and objectives of this scientific discipline, and also find out which scientists first coined the term "geography".

It is curious that in ancient times, in the era of the birth of science as such, all knowledge about the Earth was combined into one discipline. However, later, as new knowledge was accumulated, the Earth sciences began to differentiate. This is how physics, geography, geology, biology, and then dozens of new disciplines arose.

Nevertheless, all these sciences are united by one object of study. But their goals and objectives are different. Physics studies everything natural processes and phenomena, biology describes the whole diversity of the animal and flora of our planet, but geography is a universal science that studies the patterns of functioning of the geographical

Which scientist was the first to introduce the term "geography"?

The term "geography" consists of two words: "geo" - land and "grapho" - I write, describe. That is, literally it can be translated as "earth description". Who was the first to use the term "geography" in the history of world science?

It was an outstanding ancient Greek philosopher and thinker Eratosthenes from the city of Cyrene. He lived and worked in Ancient Greece in the third century BC. Scientific interests Eratosthenes were so diverse that today he would be called a geographer, a mathematician, an astronomer, and a philologist.

Eratosthenes of Cyrene can be called one of the first geographers in history. In addition to him, other ancient Greek scientists were also engaged in this science - Strabo, Herodotus, Ptolemy. The latter, by the way, wrote a voluminous work under the laconic title: "Geography".

Eratosthenes' contribution to geography

The merit of Eratosthenes also lies in the fact that he was the first to try to measure the dimensions (namely, the length of his circumference). Of course, even then he believed that our Earth has the shape of a ball. As a result of the measurements, he got quite exact number- 39,590 kilometers (the true length of the earth's equator is about 40,000 km)!

How did Eratosthenes manage to calculate the size of the Earth so accurately? After all, he did not have precise instruments and devices, and, of course, he could not rise into space either. The main tool of the scientist was... the Sun! For his measurements, he took two cities: Alexandria and Siena. When the Sun was at its zenith over Syene, he calculated that in Alexandria heavenly body"lags behind" 1/50 of a full circle. Knowing the exact distance between the two cities, Eratosthenes multiplied it 50 times and got the length of the earth's circle!

Now you know which of the scientists was the first to introduce the term "geography". What is studying given science at the present stage?

What does geography study?

To date, the main subject of study of geography can be formulated as follows: analysis of the spatial features of the organization of the Earth. The latter, as is known, consists of four geospheres: litho-, atmo-, hydro- and biosphere. Accordingly, the whole science of geography is divided into many narrow disciplines, each of which has its own goals and objectives.

In the structure of modern geographical science there are two major sections:

1. Physical geography.
2. Social economical geography.

Among the main and most actual problems that excite modern geographers, the following can be distinguished:

• the answer to the question "what does geography study";
• substantiation of the expediency of the existence of such a science;
• definition of the main tasks of the geography of the XXI century;
• definition of the essence of concepts " geographical envelope", "geographic space", "landscape", " natural complex"," geosystem "and others;
• development of the theory and methodology of theoretical geography (or metageography);
• drawing up a unified and structurally logical system of geographical sciences;
• looking for ways to improve, etc.

Finally...

Now you know which of the scientists was the first to introduce the term "geography" into science. This was ancient Greek thinker Eratosthenes of Cyrene, who lived in the III century BC. But in the history of world science, he distinguished himself not only by this achievement. In particular, Eratosthenes quite accurately measured the size of our planet, while not having any modern instruments.

The term "geography" is translated from Greek as "earth description". However, goals and objectives modern science more fundamental and multifaceted than just the usual description earth's surface.

We must find out: What does the term "geography" mean and who coined it; What does the term "geography" mean and who coined it; What does geography study? What does geography study? What is "physical" and "economic" geography; What is "physical" and "economic" geography; What sciences are called "natural"; What sciences are called "natural"; What problems does geography solve? What problems does geography solve?

Who coined the word "geography"? Solve the crossword puzzle and in the top row you will read the name of the ancient Greek scientist who introduced the term "geography". Questions: 1. The most high mountain. 2.Most big state on the ground. 3. The hottest mainland. 4.Most big ocean. 5. Part of the land, surrounded on all sides by water. 6. One of the two Americas. 7. Country of fashion and spirits. 8. And part of the world, and part of the mainland. 9. The longest river in Africa.

Natural sciences ScienceSubject of study 1.Astronomy 1.Form, structure, composition and development of the Earth. 2. Physics 2. Connections between man and nature, the influence of man on nature. 3.Chemistry3.Heavenly bodies. 4. Biology 4. Natural phenomena. Movement of bodies, electricity, sound, light. 5.Geology5.Nature of the earth's surface. 6. Ecology 6. Substances and their transformations. 7. Geography 7. Wildlife. Animals, plants. Match

Natural sciences ScienceSubject of study 1.Astronomy 1.Form, structure, composition and development of the Earth. 2. Physics 2. Connections between man and nature, the influence of man on nature. 3.Chemistry3.Heavenly bodies. 4. Biology 4. Natural phenomena. Movement of bodies, electricity, sound, light. 5.Geology5.Nature of the earth's surface. 6. Ecology 6. Substances and their transformations. 7. Geography 7. Wildlife. Animals, plants.

Geography as a science has evolved and changed long years. Over time, the tasks of geography also changed. Geography, as a science, has evolved and changed over the years. Over time, the tasks of geography also changed. Read the text of the textbook (pp. 3-4), name the tasks of geography, determine which questions the "old" geography answered and which the modern geography answers. Read the text of the textbook (pp. 3-4), name the tasks of geography, determine which questions the "old" geography answered and which the modern geography answers. Tasks of geography

There are many sciences, the object of study of which is the Earth and its nature. This article will discuss one of them. What is geography and what does it study? Who and when introduced this term into science?

Earth sciences

There is a whole complex of sciences, the object of study of which is one - the Earth and its nature. They are also called natural sciences. These are physics (a term from ancient Greek and translated as "nature"), biology, ecology, chemistry and, of course, geography. Next, we will consider in more detail the goals and objectives of this scientific discipline, and also find out which of the scientists was the first to introduce the term "geography".

It is curious that in ancient times, in the era of the birth of science as such, all knowledge about the Earth was combined into one discipline. However, later, as new knowledge was accumulated, the Earth sciences began to differentiate. This is how physics, geography, geology, biology, and then dozens of new disciplines arose.

Nevertheless, all these sciences are united by one object of study. But their goals and objectives are different. Physics studies all natural processes and phenomena, biology describes all the diversity of the animal and plant world of our planet, but geography is a universal science that studies the patterns of functioning of the geographic shell of the Earth.

Which scientist was the first to introduce the term "geography"?

The term "geography" consists of two words: "geo" - land and "grapho" - I write, describe. That is, literally it can be translated as "earth description". Who was the first to use the term "geography" in the history of world science?

It was an outstanding ancient Greek philosopher and thinker Eratosthenes from the city of Cyrene. He lived and worked in ancient Greece in the third century BC. The scientific interests of Eratosthenes were so diverse that today he would be called a geographer, a mathematician, an astronomer, and a philologist.

Eratosthenes of Cyrene can be called one of the first geographers in history. In addition to him, other ancient Greek scientists were also engaged in this science - Strabo, Herodotus, Ptolemy. The latter, by the way, wrote a voluminous work under the laconic title: "Geography".

Eratosthenes' contribution to geography

The merit of Eratosthenes also lies in the fact that he was the first to try to measure the dimensions the globe(namely, the length of its circumference). Of course, even then he believed that our Earth has the shape of a ball. As a result of the measurements, he got a fairly accurate number - 39,590 kilometers (the true length of the earth's equator is about 40,000 km)!

How did Eratosthenes manage to calculate the size of the Earth so accurately? After all, he did not have precise instruments and devices, and, of course, he could not rise into space either. The main tool of the scientist was... the Sun! For his measurements, he took two cities: Alexandria and Siena. When the Sun was at its zenith over Siena, he calculated that in Alexandria the celestial body "lags behind" 1/50 of a full circle. Knowing the exact distance between the two cities, Eratosthenes multiplied it 50 times and got the length of the earth's circle!

Now you know which of the scientists was the first to introduce the term "geography". What does this science study at the present stage?

What does geography study?

To date, the main subject of study of geography can be formulated as follows: analysis of the spatial features of the organization of the geographic envelope of the Earth. The latter, as is known, consists of four geospheres: litho-, atmo-, hydro- and biosphere. Accordingly, the whole science of geography is divided into many narrow disciplines, each of which has its own goals and objectives.

There are two major sections in the structure of modern geographical science:

1. Physical geography.
2. Socio-economic geography.

Among the main and most urgent problems that concern modern geographers, the following can be distinguished:

• the answer to the question "what does geography study";
• substantiation of the expediency of the existence of such a science;
• definition of the main tasks of the geography of the XXI century;
• definition of the essence of the concepts "geographical envelope", "geographical space", "landscape", "natural complex", "geosystem" and others;
• development of the theory and methodology of theoretical geography (or metageography);
• drawing up a unified and structurally logical system of geographical sciences;
• looking for ways to improve methods geographical research etc.

Finally...

Now you know which of the scientists was the first to introduce the term "geography" into science. It was the ancient Greek thinker Eratosthenes from Cyrene, who lived in the III century BC. But in the history of world science, he distinguished himself not only by this achievement. In particular, Eratosthenes quite accurately measured the size of our planet, while not having any modern instruments.

The term "geography" is translated from Greek as "description of the earth". However, the goals and objectives of modern science are more fundamental and multifaceted than just the usual description of the earth's surface.