Chapter 1Section 2
Studying Geography
What is Geography?
• Geography is the study of the earth’s physical features and cultural features.
• Examples include mountains, rivers, people, cities and countries
• Physical and human geography contribute to the study of history
Physical Geography
What is physical geography?
Physical geography is the study of the Earth’s land and features.
What are landforms?Landforms are the
natural features of the land’s surface.
Himalayas
Nile RiverPersian Gulf
Red SeaMediterranean
Sea
Physical Geography cont.
• What is climate?• Climate is the pattern
of weather conditions in a certain area over a long period of time.
• What is environment?• Environment includes
all the living and nonliving things that affect life in the area.
Egyptianpeople
SaharaDesert
What is Human Geography?
• Human geography is the study of people and the places they live.
• Human geography also deals with how the environment affects people.
• Floods, drought, hurricanes
What is Location?Location is the exact
description of where something is located.
Every place on Earth has a specific location.
We use maps to find specific locations.
Different types of maps show different things.
Examples of maps are: Physical, population, road.
PhysicalMapIndia
PopulationMapIndia
What is a Region?
• A region is an area with one or more features that make it different from surrounding areas.
• These features may be physical features such as deserts, mountains, rivers or oceans.
• They may also be human features such as languages that people speak or different religions that people practice.
Buddhisttemple
TigrisRiver
Geography and History
• Geography Affects Resources• What are resources? • Resources are materials found in the Earth that
people need and value.
gold
WoodH2OFood
Geography
How does geography shape culture? Early civilizations formed near rivers because of water and food and later on transportation.
How does geography influence history? People with abundant resources and accessible locations prospered and grew to become more advanced civilizations.
Summary
• The field of geography includes physical and human geography. Geography had a major influence on history.