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Question

The following activity can be termed as an example of possibilism:

The correct answer is
Ports on the coasts

Possibilism in Geography Explained

The question asks to identify an example ofpossibilism. Possibilism is a geographical viewpoint that emphasizes that the physical environment provides a range of possibilities, and human cultures are shaped by the choices people make from these possibilities. It contrasts with environmental determinism, which suggests that the environment strictly dictates human culture.

Analyzing the Options for Possibilism

Let's examine each option to see how it relates to the concept of possibilism:

  • Forest worship: This practice often reflects a belief that nature holds spiritual power and influences human destiny, which aligns more closely with environmental determinism, not possibilism. It suggests nature's dominance rather than human choice.
  • Ports on the coasts: Developing ports on coastlines is a clear example of possibilism. Humans recognized the geographical advantages of coastal areas (natural harbors, access to sea routes) and chose to develop them into centers for trade and transportation. This shows human agency and adaptation, selecting from environmental possibilities to meet societal needs.
  • Being afraid of the fury of nature: Fear of natural forces like storms or floods represents a response to environmental challenges. While acknowledging nature's power, it emphasizes vulnerability and potential limitations imposed by the environment, rather than the selection of opportunities offered by it.
  • Collecting fruits and herbs from the forest: This describes a form of resource utilization, often associated with subsistence lifestyles. While it involves interacting with the environment, it doesn't strongly highlight the selection from multiple *human-driven* possibilities that characterizes possibilism. It's more about direct use of available resources.
  • Option 5 is empty and therefore not considered.

Therefore, buildingports on the coastsbest exemplifiespossibilismby showcasing how humans actively choose and modify their environment based on perceived opportunities.

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Important Questions from Human Geography : Nature and Scope

  1. Direction (Q46. to Q50.) Read the given passage carefully and answer following five questions:

    India has 640,867 villages according to the Census 2011 out of which 597,608 (93.2 per cent) are inhabited villages. However, the distribution of rural population is not uniform throughout the country. You might have noted that the states, like Bihar and Sikkim have very high percentage of rural population. The states of Goa and Maharashtra have only little over half of their total population residing in villages. The Union Territories, on the other hand, have smaller proportion of rural population, except Dadra and Nagar Haveli (53.38 per cent).

    The size of villages also varies considerably. It is less than 200 persons in the hill states of north-eastern India, Western Rajasthan and Rann of Kachchh and as high as 17 thousand persons in the states of Kerala and in parts of Maharashtra. A thorough examination of the pattern of distribution of rural population of India reveals that both at intra-State and inter-State levels, the relative degree of urbanization and extent of rural-urban migration regulate the concentration of rural population.

    You have noted that contrary to rural population, the proportion of urban population (31.16 per cent) in India is quite low but it is showing a much faster rate of growth over the decades. The growth rate of urban population has accelerated due to enhanced economic development and improvement in health and hygienic conditions. The distribution of urban population too, as in the case of total population, has a wide variation throughout the country.

    Which one of these states have high percentage of rural population according to Census 2011?

  2. Arrange the following cities present on Trans-Canadian Railways Route from East to West direction.

    A. Sydney

    B. Ottawa

    C. Montreal

    D. Quebec

    E. Halifax

    Choose the correct answer from the options given below: 

  3. Make a correct sequence of age-sex Pyramids in ascending order in relation to the development:

    A. Declining Populations

    B. Ageing Populations

    C. Expanding Populations

    D. Constant Populations

    Choose the correct answer from the options given below: 

  4. Which of the following is not an Air Pollutant?

  5. Which of the following geographers described the ‘state/country’ as a ‘living organism’?

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