World Geography

SSWG1

The students will explain the physical aspects of geography.

Physical Geography

Is the study of how physical characteristics ( land, climate, bodies of water, animal life and etc).

A place is an are of land that shares common features or id defined by common characteristics.

For Example: The Appalachia region is the portion of the US in North Carolina South Carolina, Georgia Kentucky, West Virginia and Virginia that is part of the Appalachian Mountains. ) define by it mountainous surrounding and distinct mountain culture)

Life

The way people live is often determined by climate and physical features of their environment. In the mountains of West Virginia, coal mining has long been a way of life for many people because of the abundant resources of coal in the area.

Human Geography

Human characteristics include language, religion, political systems and economic systems, population and way of life.

Population settlement patterns refer to the types of people who live in a place.

The population of a region and its culture play a key role in defining a place geographically.

Example: Southeastern US- regions geography id ideal of raising crops like tobacco, sugar, rice and cotton. Prior to 1865, South relied heavily on African slaves to work large agricultural plantations that maintained its economy. Today slavery is outlaw but a good number of African Americans still in the South and help define its culture and economy,.

Human Activities

Define a place

Agriculture is prominent in much of the Midwestern United States because the climate makes it ideal for farming.

Northeast and parts of the northern Midwest are know for industries like automobile and steel manufacturing.

Southern cities continue to grown in importance as center of international business and banking.

SSWG2

Cultural Aspects of Geography

Culture

Is the system of shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviors that transmitted from generation to generation. Some aspects of culture are religion, language, art, music clothing and manners.

Example- In many cultures, Senior citizens are revered and ancestors are even worshipped.

Nomadic Lifestyles

People of Africa’s desert( Sahara Desert in Africa) and plains regions have traditionally led nomadic lifestyles meaning they often move from location to location in search of fresh water supplies and areas for their livestock to graze. Religions practiced in these desert region often depict Paradise as a place of abundant water supplies, because water is so scarce and valued among such people.

Impact of Culture

People who live on island, near ocean coasts, or along major rivers, like the Nile in Africa or the Amazon in South America usually have culture which rely heavily on these bodies of water.

Japan tend to rely on a diet that features large amounts of seafood.

Physical Impacts on Culture

Physical features( water, climate) impact culture by determining what resources are and what kid of shelter and clothing will be available.

Climate often determines how people dress, how much they migrate, what kinds of crops thy can grown and how much they must modify their lifestyle based on different seasons of the year.

Cultural Characteristics Define Place

Customs and Traditions- ways of doing things passed down form one generation of a people groups or society to the next.

Examples: wedding rituals, burial ceremonies, traditional celebration and holidays, methods of showing respect, the manner in which business is conducted, rites of passage from child hood to adulthood.

Sample Questions WG.1and 2Lakes, mountains, oil reserves, deserts, and open plains are alla. Aspects of cultureb. Physical characteristics of geographyc. Human characteristics of geographyd. Physical characteristics of culture

The way a particular society conducts weddings, expects honorable people to carry on business, and who it views as the most important citizens are all examples of

a. Physical geographyb. Cultural religionsc. Customs and traditionsd. Population settlement patterns

SSWG3North Africa and Southwest Asia

Together= Middle East

Similarities in climate and culture.

Complex area with a fascinating and violent history.

Closeness to Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea- links three continents-important terms of commerce and world trade-fought wars in region trying to secure trade routes and protect themselves

North Africa

Variety of physical features.

Mountains-three main

Deserts ( areas receiving less than 10 inches of rainfall per year) . Sahara- world’s largest desert

Sahel-belt of dry grasslands south of he Sahara desert

Bodies of Water

Persian Gulf- important for trade and military purposesStrait of Hormuz-narrow waterway connecting the Persian

Gulf to Arabian Sea-export oil supplies from here-receive goods from other foreign nations

Mediterranean Sea- largest body of water in the region- access to travel and trade

Tigris and Euphrates- important rivers- home to some of the oldest civilizations ( beginning of civilization) in the world-important water travel and trade- they meet in Iraq-

Nile River- longest rive in the world-flows north provides water and nutrients to grow crops

Sinai and Suez

Sinai Peninsula- land bridge between North Africa and Southwest Asia-connects the two regions

Suez Canal- man-made waterway connecting the Mediterranean and Red Seas-crucial waterway allowing ships to sail from one sea to the other without having to go all the way around Arica.- trade and travel

Climate

Southwest Asia and North Africa-dry with deserts ( nomads)

Oasis- fertile areas within desert regions that provide water and vegetation

The Impact of Religion

Three Major Religions-monotheism- belief in one gad

Judaism-looks to ancient prophet Abraham as its founder-oldest-teaches that the Jewish people are God’s chosen nations

Christianity- founder is Jesus-Bible

Islam- the youngest religion- Mohammed is the founder- Koran

Conflicts Over Culture

Traditional societies- customs and tradition-laws-

Some Westernized- not traditional –more like US

Terrorism-violence against innocent people in the name of a cause

SSWG4Sub-Saharan Africa

Portion of the continent below North Africa (highlands-north and west and lowlands-north and east)

East African Mountains-farmers depend on mountains for water from snowfall-

Mount Kilimanjaro-highest mountain

Great Rift Valley- has huge lakes-Lake Victoria-largest lake and second larges freshwater lake in the world

Nile RiverCongo River-major means of travel and trade for interiorZambezi River- waterfall- Victoria Falls

Climate

Desert Climate- hot and little rain

Semiarid-high temperatures a little more rain

Tropical climate- rainy and dry season

Savanna- flat grassland

Equatorial-high temperatures and rain-rainforest.

People

Population distribution- where people live- affected by physical features and climate

Major cities along waterways and coastal regionsDry and Rainforests- less peopleUrbanization – growth and development of citiesModernization- process of a society leaving

primitive methods behind to adopt more modern techniques

More advanced technology, better job opportunities and the ability to live a more modern life- attract many people to cities.

The Rest of Asia

South Asia-Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan Maldives, Sri Lanka

Southeast Asia-Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam

Eastern Asia-Japan, China, Korea

WWG5South Asia

Northern Mountain Rim- include Hindu Kush and Himalayas ( tallest mountains on earth)-location of Mt. Everest

Northern Plains – Indus and Ganges run through plains- agriculture

Deccan Plateau- large portion- rich mineral deposits- home of elephants

Sri Lanka and the Maldives- beautiful islands-vulnerable to natural disasters

Climate

Three Main Seasons

Cool-high elevations

Rainy-tropical-monsoon season

Hot-tropical –southern India

SSWG5Southeast Asia

Physical Features

Mainland- Malay and Indochinese peninsulas

Mekong River-longest river

Land-Locked- surrounded by land- Laos

Archipelagos- group of island in Season ( Singapore, Borneo, Philippines and Indonesia)

Climate

Two Seasons

Rainy-mid to late summer-farming

Dry

SSWG5Eastern Asia

Physical FeaturesChina- largest countryMost of China is covered by HimalayasPlateau of Tibet- highest plateau in the world-northwest part of ChinaTaklimakan and Gobi desert-northwest partMajor Rivers- Huang He-nickname yellow river-causes floods, Chang

Jiang- longest ,Xi Jiang

Japan- country of islands- four main island0 Mount Fuji- tallest mountain ( Ring of Fire- high volcanic activity)

Korea- peninsula bordering northwest Chins- object of Japanese military invasion ( because west of Japan) North Korea- communist and South Korea- capitalist democracy

Climate

China- some part have subtropical while northern and mountainous areas snowfall and freezing

China’s major rivers help provide fertile land-farming

Japan- covered in forest and mountains- monsoons play a major role in the climate

Korea- hot, humid summers and winter that are cold and day

Population and ClimateClimate and topography affect where people live in a given region and the type

of culture that develops. The Himalayas, other mountain ranges , and often bodies of water act as

natural barriers that have contributed over centuries to the development of diverse cultures in various areas. Few people live in mountain areas and desert areas

Urban areas – developed along coast and rivers – provide trade and travelMost people who live in Southern and Eastern Asian countries- live in the

countrysideQuality of life in different nation varies greatlyJapan- major capitalist and industrialized nation- wealthy nationChina- cities packed and rural population struggle-is developing at a fast paceIndia-country- poor and cities industrializedSouth Korea- capitalist nation- prosperous economyNorth Korea- poverty and live under totalitarian socialist regime

Practice QuestionsThe Himalayas are part of thea. Deccan Plateaub. Island of Southeast Asiac. Larges Muslim nation in the worldd. Northern Mountain Rim

China, Japan and Korea area. The three major countries of Eastern Asiab. The three major countries of South Asiac. Island nations in Eastern Asiad. Nations outside the “Ring of Fire”

Urbanization and modernization means that large populations tend to live ina. citiesb. rural areasc. mountainous regionsd. deserts

SSWG6

Europe-second largest continent Physical Features- surrounded by several major bodies of

water ( Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, and Mediterranean Sea)

Peninsula -land surrounded on three sides by water)-good many of them- Iberian ,Scandinavian

Ural Mountains-natural barrier dividing Europe Most of Europe is mountainous ( Alps and Pyrenees) –

serve as barriers for different culturesThe Great European Plain- rich farmland Major Rivers- Rhine, Danube, Volga

Climate

Siberian Tundra- region has wide-open spaced covered with ice and snow by the year-round freezing temperatures

Alps and Pyrenees- act as natural barrier between regions of Europe

Winter in high elevation very cold

Coastal areas- milder climate

Population, Economic Development and World Influence

Europe’s geography has greatly impacted it stability to develop and influence the rest of the world.

Europe’s mountain ranges serve as a natural barrier, many nations developed on the same continent. Pyrenees separate the people of Spain and Portugal form France and Germanic people.

Water serves as a barrier. The UK sits on island just off the coast of mainland Europe.

Europe- birthplace of industrial revolution Today Western Europe( nations that remained free of communist rules

after WWII) continues to prosper and be an important center of international business

Eastern Europe( national that fell under the rule of the USSR and its communist government after WWII_ has suffered economically.

Ethnically diverse- people from many different background and they all live close to one another in the cities

Urban areas- large areas where people live and work

European Union

Group of European nations that have joined ranks to encourage economic and political progress. Euro-common currency

Practice Questions

Southern Europe is best described asa. extremely coldb. similar to Africa’s equatorial regionc. fall of fjordsd. mild and dryThe Pyrenees, Alps and Urals area. Important rivers in Europeb. Major mountain ranges in Europec. Key peninsulas in Europed. Native Iberian people groups

SSWG7Latin America-Mexico, Central America, South America and the CaribbeanPhysical Features-mountainous region occupy much of Latin America- Mexico- 2 major mountain ranges- Sierra Madre Occidental and Sierra Madre Oriental

and in between is Mexico’s Central PlateauCentral America- mountain ranges covered in rainforests South America- Andes- longest series of mountain ranges in the world Caribbean Islands- volcanoes- openings in the earth’s surface ( usually a mountain)

through which lave, volcanic ash and gases escapeEarthquakes- Latin American prone to earthquakes- tectonic plates shift Amazon Basin- ( Columbia, South America) largest lowland area on the continentAmazon River- longest river in the Western Hemisphere Amazon Rainforest-covers portions of nine countries and represent more that one half of

the world's remaining rainforest. Major Rivers- Rio Grande ( separate Mexico and US) Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean SeaPanama Canal- built across the isthmus ( thin stretch of land) of Panama by the US so

ships could travel between Atlantic and Pacific ocean without having to travel around South America

Deforestation- destruction of rainforests- this is a side effect of every-growing population and industrial and economic development – causes environment concerns

ClimateTropical Climate- Equator runs through northern and South America-

large portion of region are hot and dry and rainy seasonsAtacama Desert- one of the driest place on earth (along Chile’s coast)Hurricanes- due to warm waters of Caribbean Sea these storms form

over the ocean with winds greater than 75 mphEl Nino- phenomenon usually occurs around Christmas every few year-

features warmer than usual ocean currents which form in the Pacific off the coast of northern South America-currents warm the normally cool air= tends to change normal weather patterns causing different part of the globe to be dryer or experience more rainfall than normal

People and Population Distribution

Home to a diverse ethnic population. Many live today in urban areasMexico City – one of the most populated cities in the world

– offers great opportunities for jobs, education, business and culture

Pollution in Mexico City Area- air trapped and lingers because of the mountains

Most populated areas rest in the fertile areas of the plains or along the coasts or waterways

Thick rainforest areas- less dense in populationHigh rugged mountain terrain- less dense in population

SSWG8United States and Canada

US and Canada- part of continent known as North America-third largest continent

Canada- largest country in North America and second larges in the world Physical FeaturesRocky Mountains- stretch over 3,00 miles from the southwestern US to AlaskaAppalachian Mountains- hot as high as Rockies but are much older and feature

beautiful scenic areasBetween Rockies and Appalachia- Great Plains- covers central portion of both

countriesMississippi River System – larges in North America-includes two longest river in

the US0 Mississippi and MissouriMackenzie River- longest in Canada- Great Lakes ( between US and Canada) Gulf of Mexico, Chesapeake Bay, Gulf of California, Hudson Bay, St. Lawrence

River, Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea

Climate of Canada and the US

North of Canada and Alaska- tundra- frozen landSouth of tundra- thick, evergreen forestsPacific Coat- wet, climate with chilly winter and comfortable

summersPacific Mountains-block moisture and have deserts in

Nevada, Utah, ArizonaGreat Plains- hot summers and cold snow-filled wintersNortheastern US- cold, snowy winters and mild summersSoutheast- chilly winters with little snow and hot, humid

summers Droughts- like Georgia now- period without rain

Population Distribution and Regional Growth

Most citizens in US and Canada live in urban areasMany cities grew up along major rivers and along ocean

coasts because of the access to travel and opportunities for trade and commerce such bodies of water provided.

New York city- largest urban area in US-immigrants came here

Canada- large cities along Great Lakes areaNortheastern US- more populated than other areas of US Southern area of US- growing in population( Sun Belt)

Practice QuestionsThe largest river system in North America is the a. Missourib. Mississippic. Mackenzied. Appalachian

Canada isa. The largest country in terms of land area in the worldb. The largest country in terms of population in the worldc. The largest country in terms of land area in North Americad. The second largest country in terms of land area in North

American

SSWG9Oceania

Oceania- Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica-20,000 island stretching across the Pacific Ocean

Australia- smallest continent on earth and country

Antarctica- South Pole- uninhabitable – buried in ice -70% of the world’s fresh water

Physical Features

Great Dividing Range- series of mountains and hilly regions

Great Barrier Reef- lies along northeastern coast-home to multitude of underwater wildlife

New Zealand-consists of two main islands- sandy beaches, rolling green hillsides, various plateaus and mountainous regions with peaks covered in snow

Volcanoes

Climate

Australia-coast- receive rainfall

Mountains prevent much of the moisture from every reach the dry interior

New Zealand- mild and rain

Island- tropical climate – wet and day seasons – temperature hot year round

Antarctica – frozen climate

Practice Questions

What two parts of Oceania are sometimes considered separate form this region because they are continents?

a. Australia and New Zealand

b. The outback and Great Barrier Reef

c. Antarctica and Tasman

d. Antarctica and Australia