In the list of teachings that appeared as a result of the development of human society, economic geography occupies a worthy place. The origin of the natural sciences, such as physics, mathematics, geography, took place in ancient times. The process of knowing the surrounding reality over time was divided into separate specialized industries. This specialization was due to the growing needs of people who developed intellectually and tried to explain the phenomena occurring in nature. Over time, the accumulated knowledge began to take shape in specific scientific areas.
Economic geography as a science took shape not so long ago - some forty-fifty years ago. The subject of her study is the processes of resettlement of people across countries and continents, the location of production facilities and the formation of
state borders. As follows from this definition, the main attention of science is directed to the territory where people live who are engaged in creative work. Socio-economic geography includes in its circle of research not only
economic relations, but also their social component. Many scientists believe that they are studying ecumene.
According to the definition, which can be found in various sources, ecumene is a human population and the most developed part of the planet. Thus, economic geography studies all the processes that occur within the boundaries of these territories. This list includes demographics, culture, political structure,
economic activity and much more. These objects are studied by other
branches of science. But the main thing that needs to be noted in this context is the environment. It is the interaction of man with the outside world that is of primary interest in this case.
Territorial-social systems, such as the
Roman Empire or the Soviet Union, appear under certain conditions and, having existed for a certain period of time, stop their development and collapse. Historians and political scientists explain these processes within the framework of their concepts, and economic geography has its own research tools and criteria for evaluating them. As practice shows, a single territory is not a sufficient condition for a social system to be stable. To ensure such consistency, functional unity is required. So, at an industrial enterprise, different divisions produce parts, from which a specific product appears as a result.
The economic geography of the world considers the state as an object of study. Currently, much attention is paid to the study of the activities of supranational companies. They conduct business on the territory of different states and thereby create the basis for a new type of social relations. This is not to say that this is a new phenomenon. However, in recent decades, this trend has become the main one in the global economy. She has to study and formulate new scientific concepts for the development of human society.