What does the term ecumene refer to?

The term ecumene refers to the part of the Earth that is suitable for human habitation. This encompasses those regions where humans have established settlements and engaged in cultural and economic activities. The ecumene is essentially the habitable portion of the planet, as opposed to areas that are inhospitable or uninhabited, such as deserts, polar regions, or deep oceans.

Understanding ecumene helps in analyzing human geography, particularly in relation to population distribution, settlement patterns, and the interaction between human activity and environmental factors. This concept emphasizes that while humans can adapt to various environments, certain areas naturally support larger and more sustainable populations. Thus, recognizing the ecumene is crucial for studying how people interact with the world around them and why certain areas are more densely populated than others.