Since one can argue that anything you study that has location aspect is Geography. Then, one can say Geography has social science aspect. Physical Geography (Geomorphology, hydrology, climatology) is the science in Geography while Human Geography (Urban Studies, Planning, Population, Economy) is the Social Science and Humanities aspect and methods (remote sensing, GIS, spatial analysis) are the technical and technological aspects of Geography. Each college and institution its bias for the different aspects.

It is very important question discussed internally and externally,. Even, it is also being debated whether geography is science, pseudoscience or non-science. Latter question may be discussed sometimes latter, But as for as question of geography as social science or (natural) science is considered, it is both. Geography cannot be defined in terms of its subject matter but in terms of its approaches to phenomena. Subject matter of geography is so vast that every social or natural phenomena that varies over space is studied in geography. It is why in some university of India it is taught exclusively in faculty of social sciences while it in some universities like mathematics it comes under both the faculties of social sciences and natural sciences. But, in terms of methodology, description, analysis and prediction and its use for making informed decision it is a purely a science.

Dear,

Geography is a science related to earth, atmosphere and it extend to related to the living animals and etc., Already you knew these things.  But, social science is related to the human beings like living pattern, their socio - economic status, no. of family members (size of the family), population distribution, poverty of the related study population, immigration, deaths in the community, housing types, types of languages, educational status, occupational status, disease pattern in the community and etc.  So, donot confuse with the two terms.

Your question is very valuable and important one.

Thank you for asking this type of question.

I agree with your valuable opinions and make sure that Geography is a science subject.

Where as Geography related with the behavioral aspect of human beings in their spacial relation in the space that means it related with the social aspect of the society.  Like the other social science subjects i.e. Sociology, Anthropology, History have also make concerned on human being behaviors like the Geography. And all these subject matters are interrelated in form of social, racial, spacial aspects. And all subject maters are gone through scientific analysis to acceptance in whole society. On the other hand Geographers are always in diagnosis on spatial relation in society likes occupation, food habit, resource mobilization etc. That means society needs geographers to bridge the gaps in the society.

But this is not considered yet.

Dear Ratikanta,

You are right. Yes, "society needs geographers" not only "to bridge the gaps in the society"., they are also needed in physical planning that is natural elements that bear on society. Therefore, people are talking of unified geography to serve humanity. For In environmental planning.

Since one can argue that anything you study that has location aspect is Geography. Then, one can say Geography has social science aspect. Physical Geography (Geomorphology, hydrology, climatology) is the science in Geography while Human Geography (Urban Studies, Planning, Population, Economy) is the Social Science and Humanities aspect and methods (remote sensing, GIS, spatial analysis) are the technical and technological aspects of Geography. Each college and institution its bias for the different aspects.

I'm agree with Aina, Geography is a social science but it's more other too and this is the problem. Geographers don't have a professional like others, they have a view of the world.

Its is a correct observation. The word 'Geography'  has its roots in the French and Latin words 'Geo' and 'Graphie'. Simple meaning of both the words is 'Earth' and 'Description' respectively. After combining both terms the meaning of the word is 'description of the Earth' . Nature of the subject and its contents are related to the methods adopted for study, i.e.,  ' description'. Scientific methods adopted for describing the Earth will give scientific conclusions and non-scientific or qualitative methods will result in social angle. Depending upon the requirement and objectives, the subject is placed in Science faculty or Humanities or Social Science or Arts in various universities worldwide. Both the angles are important, humans beings are changing the face of the Earth and so is Nature through various processes. Hence the dualism still exists whether Geography is a Science or Social Science. But both elements are equally important and inter-related. Still, fact prevails :  WE CAN TAKE IT AS WE LIKE IT, from the point of research. In totally the core of the subject is important.  

Dear Fellow Geographers and Others

This seems to be valid concern for the emerging geographers who have been taken away from the fact that Geography is also known as 'mother of all science'. The emergence of sciences from the numerous travelogues, exploration and discoveries has its roots in descriptive nature of geography as pointed out by Dhanashree. Its sub system sciences which evolved into the pure, social and applied sciences have grown much ahead. But its also true the sciences have been delinked from the Geography its only realised when you explore the multi dimensional aspects enshrined within the subject. Geography is relevant whether you place them in any aspect of sciences. There is umbilical cord attached to the subject when you start looking beyond the specialized sciences to very general sciences. Rest all are administrative and trivial in nature, we need to look sciences from its utility. Take for example two popular channels, National Geographic and Discovery which has very strong sense of attachment to Geography. Like all mother, the Geography as science is concerned with all that concerns earth. It should remain same an exploration, discovery and descriptive to understand the nature of earth including humans and their life. Go ahead in life you should be living life of a Geographer. All who encompasses sciences do understand the importance of Geography.

Deal All,

A very interesting discussion indeed! May I quickly say that you are all correct! There is GEOGRAPHY in all human enquiries, endeavours and natural phenomena, including medicine, engineering, philosophy, etc. That is why you will find Georaphy located in any of the faculties of Social Science, Arts or Humanities. My advice to Ratikanta is this: Geography, as the "mother of all sciences" like somebody here says, can find its domain well situated in any Faculty at any University or College. The one you choose depends on your own needs - whether you are a SCIENTIST, ARTIST OR SOCIAL SCIENTIST.  Therefore, you should go ahead and excel in your chosen discipline in order to fulfil your destiny within God's purpose for your life.  God bless!

Salvucci's comment "Geographers don't have a professional like others, they have a view of the world." reminds me about the saying of the professor in my first college geography class. "We will train you to be Jack of all trades, it is up to you to become master of none, one or all." Geographers seem to have no subject niche that is not keenly competed for by other professions. Even the recent solace that is found in GIS has been eclipsed by the foray of other professionals.

Right Aina, When I told geographers haven't a professional I meant a specific professional like a lawyer  or a doctor, nobody fell the need a geographer. unfortunately  I might add, because we, that we are geographer, know very well how GAIA is changing.

Committee of National Research Council published its report, “Rediscovering Geography: New Relevance for Science and Society” in 1997. The book is available from the National Academies Press at:

http://www.nap.edu/catalog/4913.html.

The Committee is of the opinion that with the promotion of science of geography “both science and society will benefit, as will geography itself, and geography itself as a discipline—need to raise their levels of awareness of geography's value to science and society and find more effective ways to publicize and utilize geography's perspectives, skills, and knowledge base.

“...geography's ability to respond to society's needs depends considerably on its strength as a science, and its strength as a science depends considerably on its support from the family of sciences...”

Geography is both a science and a social science. The grouping of Geography with other related disciplines into academic faculties or departments depends on the policy or tradition of a University or College on the one hand, and on the students' academic background (art, social science or science subjects) on the other hand. There is nothing really strange in this practice.