Unit 1: Places & Time

Chapter 1: Geography & History

Section 1:What is Geography

• Geography is the study of the Earth and the life that occupies it.

• There are 5 themes of geography:

1. Location—The absolute and relative areas of a place.

2. Place—What an area looks like…does it have mountains, water, deserts, etc.?

3. Human/Environment Interaction—How people use, adapt to, or change their environment.

4. Movement—Examines hoe people and places are linked together.

5. Regions—The way geographers organize the world. Areas are linked together by physical features such as land, water, and climate.

Section 2: Land, Water, and Climate

A) Land

1. Natural features of the Earth’s surface are called landforms.

2. Landforms are described by its elevation, or height above sea level.

3. Landforms are also described by relief, or changes in height.

4. The four landforms include mountains, hills, plains, and plateaus.

5. Landforms change by the forces of climate, water, and wind. These three factors all cause erosion in which rock and soil are moved from one area to another.

B) Water

1. The world has one ocean divided into four parts. These parts include the Atlantic, Indian, Arctic, and Pacific.

2. Smaller bodies of water include lakes, rivers, gulfs, and bays.

C) Climate

1. The most important factor in shaping climate is the sun.

Section 5: Archaeology

1. The study of past human lives and cultures is called archaeology.

2. Archaeologists study past life through fossils and artifacts.

3. Artifacts are man made such as bowls, jewelry, or tools.

4. Fossils are human or other life remains such as skulls, footprints, bones.

5. The way in which an archaeologist determines the age of a fossil or artifact is through radio carbon dating.

A) Great Finds

1. The Rosetta Stone—a two language dictionary that gave them the key to early Egyptian picture writing.

2. Lucy—discovered by Mary & Richard Leaky. It was discovered in Africa and it is the remains of the oldest human being.

Chapter 2: Prehistoric People

Section 1: The Paleolithic Age

1. The Paleolithic Age is considered prehistory because there were no written records.

2. To study this time, scientists examine fossils & artifacts to determine how life was lived.

A) Old Stone Age

1. During this era, people migrated across the world in search of food and warmth. These people were called nomads.

2. People lived in small groups called clans.

3. They obtained food by hunting with tools made from stone.

4. The first of these people were called the Homo Habilis. They made fires, built shelters, made clothing, and even developed languages.

5. Humans evolved from the Homo Habilis to Homo Erectus which means humans learned to walk upright.

6. Further evolution turned into modern humans or Homo Sapiens.

7. Homo Sapiens split into two groups Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons.

8. Neanderthals are considered to be extinct and Cro-Magnons are considered the first modern human beings.

9. The Cro-Magnons were found in Europe.

Section 2: Neolithic Age

1. Also known as the New Stone Age.

2. This age is marked by humans learning to farm.

3. During this period, humans grew food, domesticated animals, created villages, and even developed language.

4. The first civilizations had five features:

a. Centers for trade

b. Job specialization

c. Complex institutions—government & religion

d. Record keeping—laws & debts

e. Technology

5. Jericho—Israel, Abu-Hureyra—Syria, Catal Huyuk--Turkey