Why geography is essentail in the study of history?

Answer 1

Geography is important because it is a major factor in why people choose to live where they do, how battles are fought, and in how much the people come into contact with others outside their area. Most of the early settlements were on level, high ground near a river. Farming would be successful because the silt left behind would create fertile soil. Roads leading to the area would bring trade of items that were not made locally and make it possible to sell locally made items. One place like this would be St. Louis, which was located at the staging place for people to head west--obtain supplies, wagons and oxen. One could travel from there by boat or road and the distance to the west coast could be traveled before the Rocky Mountain winters came. For battles, look at Gettysburg during the Civil War, the defense of Rome from Hannibal and others.

Answer 2

people generally settle in areas with greater resources i.e. wood for lumber to build houses, rivers, food.

also, when building roadways and other means of transportation, people must take into account the geography of a region [ie mountains, rivers, etc] when it comes to the planning of such projects. such was the case with the transcontinental railroad.