1. Chapter 2 People, Places, and Patterns
Geography in International Studies

2. What is Geography?
Geography is a core discipline of international studies
Geo meaning “Earth”
Graphy refers to “writing”
Two main areas of study:
Physical
Examines the environment
Human
Arrangement of Activities of people

3. Development of Geography
The classical Greeks and Chinese were the first to understand and study geography
Arabs continued the study of geography
With the Renaissance, Europe relearned Geography through encounters with the Arabs
Modern geography is said to embody six elements:
Space: patterns of human activity across the Earth
Place & Region: focuses on characteristics of places
Physical: understand processes of the environment
Human: understand human influence on Earth
Environment: interrelationships between people and environment
Uses: past, present, and future

4. Components of Geography
Three main components of a geographical way of thinking:
Space
Location
Spatial interaction
Spatial organization
Region
Formal
Functional
Environment

5. Space Location: answers the question “where?”
Nominal: Oxford, OH
Relative: Ohio is West of New York
Absolute: Oxford, OH is at 39o30’N Lat, 84o45’W Long
Spatial Interaction: why and how….
People move
Resources move
Ideas move
Spatial Organization: reveals how people have delineated various territories

6. [Figure 2. 1. Hong Kong. The harbor is the reason for Hong Kong
[Figure 2.1. Hong Kong. The harbor is the reason for Hong Kong. Photo S. Toops]

7. Region Formal Functional World Regions: Europe, Africa, etc.
Human characteristics
Language, religion, etc.
Physical
Climate, landform, etc.
Functional
Defined by network, focal point, or node
River system
Trading system
World Regions: Europe, Africa, etc.
Formal and functional

8. [Figure 2.2. Zurich. The largest city and financial center of Switzerland. Photo S. Toops]

9. [Figure 2.2. Zurich. The largest city and financial center of Switzerland. Photo S. Toops]
[Figure 2.3 Istanbul. Asia is in the background, Europe is in the foreground, in between is the Bosporus, the historical divide between Europe and Asia. Photo S. Toops]

10. Environment Environmental determinism Human determinism
People acting in a certain way according to their environment
Now considered mutually interactive
Human determinism
People control their environment
Environmental possibilism
Physical environment cannot determine what we can do but it can limit what we can achieve
Resources
Renewable
Recyclable: aluminum, paper
Continuous flow: solar power, hydropower
Short term: timber, soil, water
Non-renewable: fossil fuels ( coal, oil)

11. [Figure 2. 4. Hunza. Pakistan
[Figure 2.4. Hunza. Pakistan. The Hunza Valley is irrigated from the glaciers in the surrounding mountains. Photo: S. Toops]

12. [Figure 2.5. Farm in Iowa. A piece of land, a farm, a home, a place, a geography. Photo S. Toops]

13. Maps: Tools for International Studies
Maps are forms of communication that express ideas about the world
Specialized picture of mathematical precision
Fundamentals
Scale: relationship between length of an object on a map and length in the real world
Centering and Orientation: can be centered anywhere on Earth
Projection: the way the Earth’s surface is distorted in a map
Technological advancements: satellites
Geographic information system (GIS)
Remote sensing

14. [Map 2.1 World Map – Mercator Projection]

15. [Map 2.2 World Map – Robinson Projection]

16. Lying with Maps
Maps are sometimes used for other purposes than just displaying a place
Propaganda
Used during war to influence
Political views
Can you think of any ways in which a map is used for some other purpose than as a means to find a place?

17. Conclusion Geography is critical in international studies
Analyze space, regions, and environments of Earth
Geographical methods used by businesses, non-profit organizations and governmental organizations
State Department
WHO
WTO
Geography is helpful in everyday life
Geography matters