NCERT Book Class 12 Geography - Fundamentals of Human Geography PDF

Chapters of NCERT Fundamental of Human Geography Textbook

The Class 12 CBSE syllabus for geography can be broadly classified into two parts, which are -

• Fundamentals of Human Geography

• Indian People and Economy

The human geography NCERT book discusses the social aspects of humankind. They include -

• Population trends

• Settlements

• Human development

• Transport and communication facilities

• International trade

• Different livelihood activities (including primary, secondary and tertiary activities)

This book also consists of a chart specifying the population of each country. A glossary of important terms relevant to human geography is also included.

Chapter-wise Analysis of the NCERT Class 12 Human Geography Book

Chapter 1: Human Geography (Nature and Scope)

The first chapter of Human geography 12th NCERT book provides various definitions of Human Geography and its nature. It is followed by a topic-oriented study about ’Naturalisation of Humans and Humanisation of Nature’.

Chapter 1 goes on to list down the various features, and changes in Human geography observed ever since the Early Colonial Period to the 1990s. Different fields and sub-fields of Human Geography have been mentioned in this chapter. This includes-

• Social Geography

• Urban Geography

• Political Geography

• Population Geography

• Settlement Geography

• Economic Geography

The first chapter of Fundamentals of Human geography Class 12 PDF needs to be studied and understood in details to proceed with the succeeding lessons.

Chapter 2: The World Population (Distribution, Density and Growth)

Chapter 2 briefs about patterns of population distribution in the world. Alongside, it discusses the various geographic, economic, social, and cultural factors influencing it. The books also details population density.

The chapter includes the ins and outs of population growth, including population growth rate, natural growth rate, a positive and negative growth of population.

A discussion on different topics follows these concepts. These include-

1. Migration

2. Population change

3. Trends in population growth,

4. Impact of population change

5. Demographic transition

6. Population control measures.

Chapter 3: Population Composition

Chapter 3 in the Fundamentals of Human geography NCERT textbook teaches the basics of population composition. It also details how the people coming under it can be distinguished based on their occupation, age, sex, literacy, residence, etc. This chapter explains how the sex ratio of a particular region or country is calculated.

Age structure also forms an important constituent in determining the nature of a population. The age-sex pyramid of a population helps to determine the number of females and males in different age groups. Population literacy, on the other hand, helps analyse the socio-economic development of a particular region. This chapter also discusses how a population is classified on the lines of occupation and lifestyle.

Chapter 4: Human Development

Chapter 4 of the Fundamentals of human geography Class 12 PDF begins with an explanation of how growth differs from development. Human growth is a quantitative aspect, while human development is a qualitative one. The four pillars of human development are discussed in this chapter. They are-

• Income

• Welfare

• Basic Needs

• Capability

The 4th chapter of Human geography class 12 NCERT book discusses the international comparisons of human development. It briefs how the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been publishing the Human Development Report in which the countries are ranked as per their progress in human development.

Chapter 5: Primary Activities

Chapter 5, 6 and 7 discuss the various economic activities a population engages in, to secure their livelihood. These activities can be classified into three categories-

• Primary

• Secondary

• Tertiary and Quaternary

In chapter 5 of Fundamentals of Human geography class 12 NCERT PDF, students learn about the primary activities and red-collar workers (people engaged in primary activities). Primary activities include-

• Agriculture and cultivation

• Hunting and gathering

• Pastoralism

• Farming

• Mining

The various terms related to Pastoralism, like nomadic herding and livestock rearing are explained in this chapter. Different types of agriculture and farming have been discussed. They are-

• Subsistence agriculture

• Plantation agriculture

• Mixed farming

• Dairy farming

• Co-operative farming

• Collective farming

A brief about mining, methods of mining, and the various factors affecting mining activities comes towards the end of this chapter.

Chapter 6: Secondary Activities

NCERT book class 12 geography Fundamentals of human geography, in its 6th chapter, talks about the secondary activities of an economy. These are activities which add value to the raw materials (made from the natural resources). Manufacturing is a chief secondary activity. Chapter 6 of this book explains the characteristics of modern-day large-scale manufacturing practices in the world. They include technological innovations, mechanisation in factories, etc.

Labour supply, government policies, energy sources, transport and communication, and classification of industries in terms of manufacturing are some of the other contents of this chapter. The concept of high-tech industries has also been explained in the Fundamentals of human geography Class 12 PDF.

Chapter 7: Tertiary and Quaternary Activities

Tertiary and quaternary activities constitute the service sector of an economy. At the beginning of this chapter, a chart has been provided. It classifies the different service sector activities in the tertiary and quaternary sect. Chapter 7 elaborately talks about the various components of Trade and Commerce. Other such aspects of trading explained are-

• Retail trading

• Wholesale trading

• Services

• Telecommunications

In this chapter of Human geography class 12 NCERT PDF, Tourism and its significance in the service sector has also been discussed towards the end.

Chapter 8: Transport and Communication

Transport being an essential service to establish links between producing and consuming centres, plays a massive role in determining human geography of a place. Chapter 8 of the NCERT geography textbook gives a detailed study of the different modes of transportation. 

Chapter 8 of the Fundamentals of human geography class 12 PDF also provides information regarding the following-

• Trans-continental Railways

• Trans-Siberian Railway

• Trans-Canadian Railways

• The Union and Pacific Railway

• Australian Trans-Continental Railway

Important sea routes like that of the Northern Atlantic, Cape of Good Hope, Mediterranean-India, Southern Atlantic, Northern Pacific, South Pacific and Shipping canals such as the Suez Canal, Panama Canal, etc. have been discussed thoroughly in this chapter. Satellite communication and internet also has been briefed in Chapter 8.

Chapter 9: International Trade

NCERT book class 12 geography fundamentals of human geography PDF enfolds international trade and its current status in the 9th chapter. The chapter begins with the history of international trade. Moving on, it discusses the basis of international trade in terms of factors like-

1. Population

2. The difference in natural resources

3. Economic development

4. Foreign investment, and

5. Transport

Other essential aspects of international trade like the volume of trade and composition of trade have been explained as well. Other crucial topics in this chapter include-

• Different types of international trade

• Balance of trade

• A case for free trade

• Direction of trade

• Ports and different types of ports

• Concerns related to international trade

• Regional trade blocs

World Trade Organisation or WTO also forms an important topic in Chapter 9 of Fundamentals of Human geography class 12 PDF.

Chapter 10: Human Settlements

In the 10th chapter, students are briefed about rural as well as urban patterns of human settlement. Different types of the settlement include-

• A nucleated or compact settlement

• Dispersed Settlement

• Planned Settlement

Various rural settlement patterns based on functions, setting, shapes, and its issues are discussed in details. Similarly, urban settlements and their classification have also been elaborated. This chapter in Fundamentals of human geography Class 12 book teaches the classification of towns as well.

Why do NCERT Books are the Favourite of Most Students?

NCERT textbooks, PDFs, study materials and notes have maintained its reputation as the best assistance for board exam preparations. Here are some of the reasons behind it-

1. Concise compilation- All the textbooks and PDFs, including Fundamentals of human geography class 12 PDF has been drafted in a compact yet detailed manner. The information provided is up to the mark and interestingly blended with the explanations. The brief nature of the textbooks makes it gripping. This factor helps incite the keenness in students to read more and learn better.  

2. Easy-to-understand- Expert professors have drafted the NCERT books in a simple and intelligible language. Complex topics are explained in plain language to help students understand the chapters better. Studying the lessons in a lucid language also eliminates the tendency in students just to memorise the chapters rather than understanding them.

3. Error-free text- The human geography NCERT book and all other books provide updated and error-free facts, figures, and information. The textbooks are reviewed frequently to ensure there is no misinformation printed. 

4. Vital questions- All the chapters in the NCERT textbooks and PDFs are followed by some important questions relevant to the lesson. Students can expect questions of similar nature in their board exams. Solving and practising these questions repeatedly help students boost their exam preparations.

5. Expert guidance- NCERT books and study materials have been prepared by experienced and renown professors who have profound knowledge in the concerned subjects. They are well-aware of the syllabus and exam pattern. The same is evident in the way they have put up the textbooks.

Just like Fundamentals of human geography class 12 PDF download, NCERT provides online access to all textbooks and study materials.

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Vedantu is also a platform where CBSE students can download all NCERT textbooks and solutions, including the Fundamentals of human geography class 12 PDF.