maantiedon

Maantieto, or maantiedon, is the Finnish term for geography, the study of the Earth’s surfaces, environments, and the relationships between people, places, and phenomena. The field is traditionally divided into physical geography, which examines natural features such as landforms, climate, water systems, soils, and ecosystems, and human geography, which explores population, settlements, economy, culture, and how humans shape and are shaped by space.

The discipline uses map-based analysis and spatial thinking. Tools such as cartography and geographic information systems (GIS) support the collection, visualization, and interpretation of data about locations and processes. In schooling, maantieto aims to build geographic literacy, including map skills, place names, regional differences, and understanding environments under natural and human-induced change. Fieldwork and project work are common components.

In education, maantieto is part of the national curriculum and is taught across basic education, with progression in higher grades, emphasizing sustainable development, climate and energy, urbanization, transport, and natural resource use. In higher education and research, geography (maantiede) covers topics such as geopolitics, landscape ecology, regional development, GIScience, and urban planning, preparing graduates for work in government, planning, education, or environmental sectors.

The term also appears in phrases like maantieteen tutkimus and maantiedon opetus, referring to the knowledge base and instruction in geography. Overall, maantieto seeks to explain why places are where they are, how places change, and how people interact with the spatial dimension of the world.