GeographyWhat is it?

Geography

• “Geography is the science of place. Its vision is grand, its view panoramic. It sweeps the surface of the earth, charting the physical, organic and cultural terrain, their aerial differentiation, and their

ecological dynamics with humankind. Its foremost tool is the map.” Leonard Krishtalka, Carnegie Museam of Natural History, 20th Century AD

Which basically mean . . .

• Geography helps us understand how people, places, and environments came to be

• And how people, places, and environments affect each other

BASIC GEOGRAPHY

• Geography is the study of the relationship between people and their physical environment .

• “Geo” is also Latin for earth.

• “Graphy” is Greek for graph or map.

• So…Geography is also the mapping of the earth.

Why do we need to know that?

• Explains how we got where we are

• Explains what is going on around us

• Let’s us make better choices – cultural mistakes– provide for sustainable

development– improve current conflicts

and avoid others

Academic Division of Geography

• Physical Geography• Cultural Geography

Physical Geography

• Natural features on the surface of the earth and the physical environment– Climate– Ecosystems – vegetation

and animals– Landforms

Cultural Geography

• The study of people– Beliefs– Traditions– Way of life– Economic activities– Government systems– Religion– Language– Gender roles

Physical/Cultural?

Physical/Cultural?

Physical/Cultural?

Physical/Cultural?

5 Themes of Geography

• Location• Place• Region• Movement• Human Environmental

Interaction

Location

• Position on the earth’s surface.– Absolute: use of a network

of horizontal and vertical lines on globes and maps to find exact points

– Relative: The use of cardinal and intermediate directions in giving location

LOCATIONWhere are we?

• Absolute Location– A latitude and

longitude (global location) or a street address (local location).

– Paris France is 48o North Latitude and 2o East Longitude.

– The White House is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

• Relative Location– Described by

landmarks, time, direction or distance. From one place to another.

– Go 1 mile west on main street and turn left for 1 block.

Location

Place

• Character of a place– Physical Characteristics:

land, water, weather, soil, and plant and animal life.

– Cultural Characteristics: anything that describes the people

DESCRIBE is the key word in place.

PLACE

What is it like there, what kind of place is it?

•Human Characteristics

• What are the main languages, customs, and beliefs.

• How many people live, work, and visit a place.

•Physical Characteristics

• Landforms (mountains, rivers, etc.), climate, vegitation, wildlife, soil, etc.

Place

Regions

• Regions make the study of geography more manageable. The world is often divided into regions or areas based on physical or human characteristics

• 3 Types of Regions– Formal– Functional– perceptual

Formal Regions

• A region defined by a common characteristic– Examples: Texas, United

States, Corn Belt

Functional Regions

• A central point and the surrounding territory linked to it– Example: Houston

Perceptual Regions

• A region defined by popular feeling rather than objective data– Example: Dirty South, Bible

Belt

REGIONS

• How are Regions similar to and different from other places?– Formal Regions

• Regions defined by governmental or administrative boundaries (States, Countries, Cities)

• Regions defined by similar characteristics (Corn Belt, Rocky Mountain region, Chinatown).

– Functional Regions• Regions defined by a function (newspaper service

area, cell phone coverage area).

– Perceptual (Vernacular) Regions• Regions defined by peoples perception (middle east,

the south, etc.)

Movement

• People, goods and ideas move between regions

• The earth is constantly moving – water (oceans), landforms, wind, etc.

MOVEMENT

• How are people, goods, ideas moved from place to place?– Human Movement

• Trucks, Trains, Planes

– Information Movement• Phones, computer (email), mail

– Idea Movement• How do fads move from place

to place? TV, Radio, Magazines

Movement

Human/Environment Interaction

The interaction of humans with the environment. This interaction can have both good and bad outcomes. This is one of the most important factors in geography.

HUMAN-ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION• How do humans and the

environment affect each other?– We depend on it.

• People depend on the Tennessee River for water and transportation.

– We modify it.• People modify our environment

by heating and cooling buildings for comfort.

– We adapt to it. • We adapt to the environment

by wearing clothing suitable for summer (shorts) and winter (coats), rain and shine.

Human Environment Interaction

The five themes ask these questions:The five themes ask these questions:• Location – Where is it?• Place – What is it like there? (both

physical and human)• HE(I) – What is the relationship

between people and their environment?

• Movement – How are people and places connected?

• Region – How is a place similar to and different from other places?

Remembering the 5 themes

• If you can’t remember what they are just ask MR.

HELP!!!•M – Movement•R – Regions•HE – Human Environment interaction

•L – Location•P - Place

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COFFEE

What themes of geography do we see on this map

Let’s Review

• What is geography?• Why is it important?• What are the themes of

geography?• What are examples of

physical and cultural geography?