Geography is one of the most important as well as interesting fields of study. The field of Geography is related to the study of places and the relationships and bonds between humans and their environment.
We all know that human beings are just one of the many species to exist on Earth. When we look around, we see a beautiful world around us.
There are eight planets in the solar system and several other objects that exist in space. What makes our home, Earth, different from all others is the presence of life.
The existence of trees, rivers, streams, mountains, and plateaus, contribute to the greenery on Earth and on the other hand, majestic but scary volcanoes, and cliffs, exist too.
Over the years, several natural processes and chemical reactions have led to Earth's look today. However, now it is our responsibility to preserve the beautiful Earth we have received in the same condition, hopefully even better for the generations to come.
This is why the study of Geography is important.
Indian Context
India is a beautiful country and has been blessed with the most scenic locations. India has it all from the Himalayas in the north to deserts in the west to wetlands in the east.
These natural creations, no matter how beautiful, are just as delicate in their existence. We need to preserve these with utmost care. And how will we be able to look after these?
Only after we understand how they are formed, what is good and bad for them, and how human activities react to them, for the better as well as for the worse.
Indians need to study geography for understanding their environment and flora and fauna. Geography is a great field of study and several students pick up the subject and pursue as high as a PhD.
UPSC students prefer studying geography as well. Firstly, because geography makes up a significant portion of the UPSC syllabus, and secondly because UPSC always asks a considerable number of questions about geography.
Best Geography Books In The Indian Context
1. Oxford Student Atlas For India By Oxford University Press
Oxford Student Atlas is one of the most important books for UPSC aspirants.
The Oxford Student Atlas for India contains maps of India and contains several important pieces of information that are crucial to the UPSC exam.
UPSC asks at least two questions from Geography each year in its first stage of the exam, which is the preliminary stage.
It is also a must-have for school and college students studying Geography.
Students might find it a little difficult initially to get familiar with the Atlas but once you get the hang of it, it is the most interesting part of the geography syllabus.
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2. The Origin Story Of India’s States Paperback
The Origin Story of India’s States is written by the Indian author Venkataraghavan Subha Srinivasan and is one of the most promising books an Indian author has written.
The book has been published by Penguin Random House and tells the inspiring story of the history of the birth of all Indian states.
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3. Land Of The Seven Rivers: History Of India’s Geography
One of the World Geography Books when it comes to India’s geography, The Land of Seven Rivers, is one of the best reads for Indians trying to learn more about India’s geography.
The book is not a typical textbook and dwells deeper into understanding how the stories and beliefs that are so central to the beliefs of Indian people came into existence.
The book deals with questions as to why Buddha chose to visit Sarnath for his first sermon and several other intriguing questions.
Apart from this, learners will also be taught coding and statement organization.
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4. The Incredible History Of India’s Geography
Another Geography of the world by Sanjeev Sanyal, The Incredible History of India’s Geography is the adaption of his other book, Land of the Seven Rivers.
However, Sanyal wrote this book keeping his younger audience in mind. Sanjeev Sanyal is an important writer when it comes to Indian geography.
This book is full of pictures and peculiar trivia about certain habits of Indians which are still followed and practised by Indians.
Through this book, Sanyal is helping the Indian children, the future of tomorrow, learn more about their incredible country and about the things that make it incredible.
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5. Quick Geography For Competitive Exams By Disha Experts
Geography forms an important part of the syllabus for most competitive exams, especially UPSC and other State PSC examinations.
These exams aim to recruit people who are about to work at the grass-root level and contribute directly to India’s development.
As a result, the officers and exam applicants are expected to have proper knowledge about India’s natural habitat and environment.
Quick Geography by Disha is one of the best investments you can make as an aspirant as Disha is known to have an amazing faculty who prepare their books based on the latest exam syllabus and current question pattern trends in the exams
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6. Geography Of India By Majid Husain
Geography of India by Majid Husain is an important textbook when it comes to geography.
It is a very detailed book and is known for deeply explaining all essential details.
The book by Majid Husain is one of the most preferred books by UPSC aspirants who have opted for geography as an optional subject.
It is also recommended for students preparing for the NET JRF examination.
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7. Geography Of India (Gist of NCERT) By Mahesh Kumar Barnwal
We all know what an important part NCERTs play during preparation for competitive exams.
Barnwal realized this importance and for the ease of students has come out with this book.
Geography of India by Barnwal is the summary of NCERTs.
This book is bound to help all students preparing for competitive exams who are short of time and are unable to go through the NCERTs.
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These are the most important and the best books available in the market you can pick for learning geography. These books have been written by expert writers and coaching institutes as well.
Writers like Sanyal and Majid Husain have contributed to the career development of children as well as students who are learning or are appearing for competitive exams.
However, these books are only helpful for children wanting to learn about Indian geography.
Along with Indian geography, people should also be aware of the facts and be well versed with world geography as well.
Best Geography Books For World Geography
People find learning Indian geography easier because you see the environment around you and gain knowledge over the years as you grow up from listening to the people around you as well as from books.
However, learning world geography can be tough. Therefore, it is important to pick the right books for learning the how-about of world geography.
Here are the best books available for world geography. Read each of them for a deep understanding of world geography.
If you study these books diligently, we can guarantee that you will never forget what you learn.
Follow this list and you are good to go whether you are planning to read casually for gaining knowledge or for acing an important exam. These books will help you in all cases.
1. A Brief Introduction To World Regional Geography
A Brief Introduction to World Regional Geography is one of the best books available in the market for world geography.
The book has attempted to clearly explain the concepts of world geography using texts and pictures to the students.
If you need to appear for an exam where world geography is a part of the syllabus, then you can pick this book up without thinking too much.
This book is 288 pages and is published by Chemeketa Press. It is a perfect guide for the UPSC and State PSC aspirants who have chosen geography as an optional subject.
For the students who are preparing for UPSC with an optional other than geography, this is too bulky.
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2. Great Maps: The World’s Masterpieces Explored And Explained
Preparing for an exam? Love to travel?
Maps are most probably the most thing you can find related to geography.
Before Google existed, it was maps that gave people the idea of what places looked like and how to visit them.
Some old-school travellers still carry maps with them when they leave for a trip.
Even though technology has replaced maps, you can still use this book to get a pictorial idea of what places look like.
Try it out sometime and you’ll know what we’re talking about.
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3. Atlas Of Improbable Places: A Journey To The World’s Most Unusual Corners
Do you love to explore the unexplored? If you are an avid traveller or you love to travel but haven’t begun yet, this is your way to start your journey.
Atlas of Improbable Places: A Journey to the World’s Most Unusual Corners contains the pictorial representations of the world’s most unusual, improbable but exciting places.
These places are not meant for the faint of the heart. If you are looking for the most secluded places on earth and are an adventure junkie, then this Atlas will serve you best.
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4. Prisoners Of Geography: 10 Maps That Explain Everything About The World
As mentioned earlier, maps form an important part of most competitive exams.
If you are appearing for the UPSC exam, you are expected to know about all the major places in the world.
This book helps you understand the basics of all important places. You will never forget which are the landlocked countries or who is the neighbour.
Try this book and see your map score go up easily and quickly.
However, this book may not be suitable for all exams. Match your syllabus before you pick up the book.
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5. Revenge Of Geography: What The Map Tells Us About Coming Conflicts And Battles Against Fate
Now and then we hear about wars and battles between two or more nations but often we are unable to trace their history.
Several conflicts and battles have been going on for decades now and since the media is so biased, it is difficult to learn who is right or wrong.
This problem is solved by this book by Tim Marshall.
Grab your copies and learn all that you need to know about age-old conflicts.
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Final Overview
Best Geography Books is one of the most important disciplines of study. It not only helps people become aware of their surroundings but also more conscious and alert.
It is important to stay aware of the natural phenomenon around us and also be protective of them. Geography also helps us understand how long and difficult it has been for even the simplest and minutest natural figures to form.
When we see a cliff or a mountain, a spring or a geyser, a river or an ocean, we admire it. But when we know how these are formed, we appreciate it as well.
Apart from learning about the natural surroundings, geography also makes us more aware of the happenings around the world.
With tourism more popular than ever and people travelling around the world for studies and jobs, it is always recommended one has a brief idea about the place on their agenda.
These books will help you gain all the knowledge you are likely to need, no matter whether as a student or as a traveller.
Frequently asked Questions
Q1. Which is the best geography book for UPSC?
The best geography book for UPSC is the NCERTs and GC Leong. Apart from these, Majid Husain is also a very popular book for UPSC. Students also prefer the Student Atlas for the map part. Atlas is one of the most important books after NCERTs.
Q2. What is the best way to learn World Geography?
The best way to learn geography is by learning facts and figures and pairing that knowledge with maps and the atlas.
Start by picking out a continent or country based on the places in the news and then start revising the current affairs related to it, then learn about them through maps and make short notes.
Q3. Which is the latest edition of Indian and World Geography?
Geography of India’s latest edition is the 9th edition whereas Majid Husain’s India and World Geography’s 5th edition is also available in the market.
