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Who is the Father of Geography?
By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: September 25th, 2023
Did you know that the word geography is derived from the Greek word ‘geographika’? It is a branch of science or social science that deals with the study of the physical features of the earth. But who came up with this word in the first place and who is the father of geography? The answer is Eratosthenes of Cyrene. He is known as the father of geography for his contributions to the field. Read on to learn more.
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Answer:
Greek scholar Eratosthenes is known as the Father of Geography
Since Eratosthenes was the first to use the term geography, it earned him the title of father of geography. He was born in 276 BC and had a limited understanding of the planet that helped him calculate the circumference of the earth. He followed the directions of the sun and there was only a minor error of about 100 miles in his calculations.
About Eratosthenes: The Father of Geography
Apart from being the father of geography, Eratosthenes was also a mathematician, astronomer, poet, and music theorist. He even gave us the algorithm to identify prime numbers called the ‘Eratosthenes sieve’. What’s more, the father of geography was also responsible for coming up with the concept of leap year and the earth’s tilt. Lastly, since he was a curious individual and a man of learning, he became the chief librarian of the Library of Alexandria.
Summary:
Who is the Father of Geography?
Do you know who is the father of geography? An ancient Greek scholar called Eratosthenes is credited as the father of geography. Not only did he come up with the term geography, but also made several contributions to the discipline that are still as relevant today. He calculated the circumference of the earth and came up with the concept of leap year among other things. He later became the chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria.
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