The word "geography" originates from the ancient Greek language. It's a compound word formed from two Greek words: - Γη (ge): meaning "earth"- γράφειν (graphein): meaning "to write" Therefore, literally translated, "geography" means "earth writing" or "writing about the earth." This reflects the early development of geography as a discipline focused on describing and mapping the Earth's features. Ancient Greek scholars, like Strabo and Ptolemy, were pivotal in establishing geography as a formal field of study, meticulously documenting lands, peoples, and physical characteristics. Their work laid the foundation for the geographical knowledge that would be built upon and expanded in later centuries.