geographer

/dʒiˈɑgrəfər/

/dʒiˈɒgrəfə/

Other forms: geographers

A geographer specializes in the study of the earth's surface and what happens there, such as changes in landforms, population centers, or environmental interactions.

Geography is a common subject studied in schools, from elementary school through college. Those who make it their career, though, are the true geographers. They may write textbooks about geography, or work in the field doing a variety of things. Some geographers collect and analyze satellite data about the Earth's surface. Some study human patterns of migration and settlement. Others study landforms, climate, the water cycle, and other natural processes. If it's about what happens on the earth, it's related to a geographer's work.

Definitions of geographer

1. noun

   a scientist trained in the study of the earth's surface
   examples:

   Gerardus Mercator

   Flemish geographer who lived in Germany; he invented the Mercator projection of maps of the globe (1512-1594)

   types:

   cartographer, map maker

   a person who makes maps

   type of:

   expert, pundit

   a person with special knowledge or ability who performs skillfully