As the environment, topography, culture, language, human activities, and human requirements, etc are not uniform everywhere on the earth, hence, it is not prudent or suitable to make the standard model/theory to study/develop for all geographical areas.
In simple words, the development/study model of the plain area can not be suitable for the development/study model of the hilly area.
The Main Idea to develop this concept was to give the importance of regional geography, and it is against the standardization of the Model/theory.
Areal differentiation is one of the perspectives of human geography in which importance is given to the uniqueness of the geographical area rather than the standard model creation. The first technical word ” Areal Differentiation” was mentioned by Hartshorne in his book ” Nature of geography”.
In Areal differentiation, We try to understand “how one area differs from others”.
Definition: Areal differentiation
Areal Differentiation refers to the study of how different phenomena—both human and physical – are distributed in space and how they relate to each other within a geographic region.
The study of areal variation of human & physical phenomenonas they relate to other spatially proximate and causally linked phenomenon is known as Areal Differentiation.
Human and Physical phenomenon refers to areas such as NCR which has variable boundaries and changing Population patterns
Spatial Proximation means the places/areas should be in proximity or close enough to easily undergo their comparison e.g. Agricultural zones such as Wheat Zone, Rice zone cannot be compared with Industrial Zones
It studies variations in different areas/regions.
Nature is not equal everywhere as variation in character, intensity & magnitude of the phenomenon of climate, vegetation, etc.
The term ‘Areal Differentiation’ was coined & used by Hartshorne in his classical work ” The Nature of Geography” published in 1939.
Areal Differentiation gives a scientific & rational definition of Geography i.e. Geography is defined as a study of accurate description and analysis, rational description & the Study of variable characteristics of Earth. It defines whether differences are to be considered or similarities in a region. It is the study of variable characteristics of the earth in general & region in particular.
Areal Differentiation is also known as chorology and chorography. Chorology is the study of the Areal Differentiation of Earth’s Surface. Areal Differentiation may be termed as “idiographic” as it is concerned with uniqueness & particular. The idiographic Approach is based on finding differences.
Historical Background
Perspectives in Human Geography iterates the philosophy behind the evolution of Geography
Areal Differentiation represents the oldest tradition of Western Geographical inquiry
The origins trace back to Hecataeus of Miletus (6th Century BC), who was among the first to conceptualize the Earth as a spatial entity with different parts.
The concept was later codified as Chorology by the Greek geographer Strabo in his 17-volume work Geography.
Strabo famously stated, “A geographer is the person who describes the parts of the Earth”, emphasizing the spatial description of places.
Subsequent to Strabo, it was Kant who gave a philosophical foundation to chorology.
Immanuel Kant is regarded as the philosophical father of Geography for providing its foundational epistemology.
Kant gave a systematic and philosophical basis to Chorology by defining geography as a science concerned with the “description of the Earth’s surface and its areal differentiation”.
His work shifted geography from pure description to a more rigorous, philosophical discipline.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Alfred Hettner further developed Chorology by establishing it as a Regional Science.
Hettner argued that geography should focus on regions as the primary units of study, each with its unique identity and complexity.
His concept highlighted geography’s holistic approach, integrating physical and human aspects to explain spatial variation.
Building on Hettner’s foundation, Richard Hartshorne formalized the principle of areal differentiation as the central problem of geography.
Hartshorne stated that geography is the science of “the study of areal differentiation”, i.e., understanding the distinctiveness of places and regions.
His work guided geography’s evolution into a systematic, analytical discipline focusing on spatial patterns and regional uniqueness.
Revival of Areal Differentiation
At the beginning of the 1940s, Geography witnessed the Quantitative Revolution (QR), which brought a systematic, scientific approach influenced by mathematics, models, and statistics.
The idiographic traditions of Geography, including Areal Differentiation, were severely criticized by proponents of QR.
The Quantitative approach aimed to establish general theories and spatial laws through nomothetic methodology (study of general patterns), focusing on similarities across regions rather than differences.
In this context, Areal Differentiation was seen as a hindrance to theory-building, since it followed an idiographic approach (study of uniqueness or exceptions of regions).
Critics argued that without general laws, prediction, modeling, and planning become difficult, making Geography a descriptive and unsystematic discipline.
Schaefer’s Critique:
In 1953, Fred K. Schaefer published the landmark article “Exceptionalism in Geography”, which strongly criticized Areal Differentiation.
He argued that Geography must evolve into a law-seeking (nomothetic) science rather than focusing on regional uniqueness.
Schaefer believed that the Kantian idea of geography as the study of exceptional places had restricted geography’s scientific growth.
He labeled Immanuel Kant as the “father of exceptionalism” and held him responsible for limiting geography to an idiographic tradition.
He termed Areal Differentiation as the study of exceptions, which he believed was against the spirit of science.
Areal Differentiation and the Hartshorne–Schaefer Debate:
Richard Hartshorne, who supported Areal Differentiation, argued in his work “The Nature of Geography” (1939) that geography is primarily the science of areal differentiation.
The Hartshorne–Schaefer debate became a landmark event in the history of geographical thought, highlighting the divide between regional geography (idiographic) and spatial science (nomothetic).
Hartshorne defended the descriptive and integrative nature of geography, whereas Schaefer emphasized the need for analytical and theoretical frameworks.
Revival in the 1980s:
In the 1980s, Areal Differentiation witnessed a revival as a powerful concept, especially with the rise of critical, humanistic, and postmodern approaches in Human Geography.
These new approaches questioned the overemphasis on models and quantification, arguing that human experiences, cultural identities, and regional contexts cannot always be reduced to numerical models.
Geographers began to re-appreciate the contextual richness of places, leading to the reassertion of Areal Differentiation as a valid and essential perspective.
Concepts like place-making, sense of place, and regional uniqueness became central to understanding human geography.
Main Reason for Revival of Areal Differentiation
Areal Differentiation studiesvariations in physical and human phenomenaacross space.
The revival of this concept occurred post-1980s due to multiple intellectual, empirical, and planning-related factors.
Rise of Humanistic Geography
Stream of thought that gives central role to human agency, consciousness, awareness, and creativity.
Focuses on integrating diverse elements of a region (both physical and human) to understand their interrelationships.
Objective is to find causal links and synthesize factors to build a holistic understanding of the region.
Example:
High population influx in NCR due to:
Economic opportunities
Industrial development
Favorable climate and infrastructure
Sparse population in Western Rajasthan due to:
Extremely high temperature
Low rainfall and desertic conditions
Helps in understanding how environment and society interact to shape a region’s identity.
3. Comparative Analysis – Study of Coherent Regional Picture
Final step involves comparing a region with its proximate or similar regions to highlight:
Similarities and differences
Geographical gradients and transitional zones
This relational approach helps in placing a region within a wider spatial context.
Example:
Western Ghats and Meghalaya:
Both receive heavy orographic rainfall, but differ in:
Topography
Vegetation
Cultural adaptations
Such comparisons help in joining related regions and understanding regional hierarchies or functional interlinkages.
Criticism of Areal differentiation
While Areal Differentiation played a foundational role in the evolution of regional geography, it has faced significant criticisms, particularly post-Quantitative Revolution (QR).
Problem of Boundary Demarcation
Areal Differentiation emphasizes clear-cut regional boundaries, which in reality are often fluid and transitional.
Example:
Climatic zones lack fixed boundaries (e.g., semi-arid merging into arid).
National Capital Region (NCR) is constantly expanding, including new districts.
Territoriality of social groups is dynamic, influenced by migration, globalization, and mobility.
Fixing regional boundaries becomes problematic and unrealistic.
Schaefer’s Criticism – Exceptionalism Debate
Schaefer (1953) criticized Hartshorne’s Areal Differentiation, branding it as Exceptionalism in Geography.
Termed Kant as the father of exceptionalism.
Argued that Geography must move towards being a law-seeking, nomothetic discipline, like the physical sciences.
Said that mere description of uniqueness adds complexity without contributing to scientific theory-building.
Supported the systems approach and quantitative generalizations in Geography.
Criticism by Richard J. Chorley and Peter Haggett
Peter Haggett, a key proponent of QR, rejected Areal Differentiation for being overly descriptive and static.
Advocated for Areal Integration instead, focusing on functional relationships among phenomena.
Criticized the lack of scientific generalization in Areal Differentiation.
Inability to Contribute to Generalization
Areal Differentiation is limited to specific case studies and regional descriptions.
Fails to produce universal theories or laws.
Incompatible with theory-building and predictive analysis.
Criticized for being idiographic (individual-based) rather than nomothetic (law-based).
Post-WWII Decline & Rise of Nomothetic Geography
After World War II, the need for systematic planning and modeling led to the rise of QR and rejection of descriptive regionalism.
Emphasis shifted to:
Statistical techniques
Spatial models
Systematic geography over regional geography
Regions are Not Isolated Entities
Areal Differentiation tends to treat regions as independent units, ignoring:
Cross-regional interactions
Functional linkages
Example:
Delhi and surrounding regions (Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Noida, Gurugram) are functionally interdependent and must be studied together.
sir/madam My heartly and humble request with folded hands,pls post some questions that I can answer,and you can give guidance on it,I will be very gr8ful to u,gave 3 mains but due to geography,I missed all.thanks.
thanku ,thanku very much sir ,i dont have words to express my feelings.
Rashmi
December 3, 2021 9:21 AM
The subject has become easy to understand.I really like the current updates with topics explained.
Lipon
December 14, 2021 3:05 PM
Thanks to all of you.
Abhiahek
December 25, 2021 4:25 PM
why people say that geography is not scoring subject ? sir
Shivam Gaur
January 19, 2022 7:36 AM
thank you so much …I think there is a typo in the last point of main reasons for revival of areal differentiation…in place of ‘portion’ it should be production…
vandana mishra
March 15, 2022 5:35 AM
very helpful for post graduation exams also
Lord Myers
March 29, 2022 9:10 AM
Please how can one argue or draw emphasis that geography is the study of Areal Differentiation?
Rdx
April 22, 2022 3:53 PM
Enlightened
Shivantu
May 23, 2022 6:41 AM
Great website. I am referring it for my pg exam. Also preparing for upsc with geography optional. Great for quick revision. Also very well organized content.
Hello sir..
Can u please tell me how to prepare for human geography. just general views on that and how to use books for it….I’ve completed physical geography …By self study and also ur websites and these notes helped me a lot in completing physical geography…But I’m getting difficulty in human geography…..I’m following certain books of majid hussain. ….And just started the prep. BUt not getting anything ….Physical was lil easy ..
Thanks guys it takes hours to get all such information…..
Thanks a lot
I believe there is a typo in the definition – I think it should be causally and not casually. Could you please confirm?
Yeah, Thanks
Sir,what is the meaning of QR
Quantitative Revolution
https://lotusarise.com/quantitative-revolution-in-geography-upsc/
is there any answer writing initiative in geography optional. it will be helpful
No, Anthony
sir/madam My heartly and humble request with folded hands,pls post some questions that I can answer,and you can give guidance on it,I will be very gr8ful to u,gave 3 mains but due to geography,I missed all.thanks.
Arpit have you completed whole geography syllbus??
A1
Is there any any books, combined of all these geographical portions for optional ?
Actually these are good notes. Thank you for your efforts.
rd dixkhist
Mam,i think lotus arise pattern is 1000 times better than rd dicit sir.
https://store.lotusarise.com/
Very helpful
thanku ,thanku very much sir ,i dont have words to express my feelings.
The subject has become easy to understand.I really like the current updates with topics explained.
Thanks to all of you.
why people say that geography is not scoring subject ? sir
thank you so much …I think there is a typo in the last point of main reasons for revival of areal differentiation…in place of ‘portion’ it should be production…
very helpful for post graduation exams also
Please how can one argue or draw emphasis that geography is the study of Areal Differentiation?
Enlightened
Great website. I am referring it for my pg exam. Also preparing for upsc with geography optional. Great for quick revision. Also very well organized content.
respected madam…….how can i download this pdf
…
Download from Store website: https://store.lotusarise.com/
Hello sir..
Can u please tell me how to prepare for human geography. just general views on that and how to use books for it….I’ve completed physical geography …By self study and also ur websites and these notes helped me a lot in completing physical geography…But I’m getting difficulty in human geography…..I’m following certain books of majid hussain. ….And just started the prep. BUt not getting anything ….Physical was lil easy ..