Question
Who is considered as the father of geography?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Option 3: Eratosthenes
Detailed Solution
The correct answer is Eratosthenes.
Eratosthenes was an ancient Greek mathematician, geographer, astronomer, and philosopher, best known for being the first person to accurately calculate the circumference of the Earth.
- Born: Around 276 BCE in Cyrene (present-day Libya).
- Died: Around 194 BCE in Alexandria, Egypt.
- Served as the Chief Librarian of the Library of Alexandria, one of the greatest libraries of the ancient world.
- Calculated the Earth's circumference using the angles of the Sun's rays at Syene (Aswan) and Alexandria, producing a remarkably accurate estimate.
- Introduced the term "Geography" and is often called the "Father of Geography."
- Developed the Sieve of Eratosthenes, an efficient mathematical method for finding prime numbers.
- Made important contributions to mathematics, astronomy, cartography, and chronology, laying the foundation for modern geographical studies.
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