1. Cultural Geography
WG.3c, 10b-c

2. Cultural Characteristics
Cultural characteristics are parts of a groups everyday life. They are the ideas and themes which the group will teach to all members. These same characteristics can also link or divide a region.

3. Examples of cultural characteristics would be language, religion, and ethnic heritage

4. Examples of cultural characteristics
Language
Arabic unites the Arab world
Spanish unites the Hispanic world

5. Brazil is the only South American nation which does not speak Spanish
Brazil is the only South American nation which does not speak Spanish. It speaks Portuguese.

6. Canada is a bilingual nation
Canada is a bilingual nation. French and English is its official language.

7. Examples of cultural characteristics
Switzerland has multiple languages but very little conflict between the groups
English is now considered the world language and is used for most business transactions around the world

8. Examples of cultural characteristics
Ethnic Heritage
In Yugoslavia, many ethnic groups were made into one country (Serbs, Croats, Bosnians, Albanians).

9. When strong leadership died out, the different groups fought a very bloody civil war and now they all have separate countries

10. Examples of cultural characteristics
In the countries of Rwanda and Burundi in Africa, Two ethnic groups are dominate, the Tutsis and the Hutus.

11. The Hutus are dominate in one and they persecute the Tutsis, and the Tutsis are dominate in the other

12. and they persecute the Hutus
and they persecute the Hutus. It has led to almost constant war between the groups.

13. Examples of cultural characteristics
The United States and Switzerland have peacefully merged multiple ethnic groups in their countries.
Korea and Japan have primarily one ethnic group

14. On the island of Cyprus, the Greeks and the Turks try to gain control

15. Examples of cultural characteristics
Religion can be both a unifying force.
There are five major religions in the world today--Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

16. They have millions of followers all believing the same thing.

17. Examples of cultural characteristics
Religion can also be a dividing force around the world.
Hindus and Muslims fight in India (Hindu) and Pakistan (Muslim)

18. There are conflicts between Catholics and Protestants (two forms of Christianity) in Northern Ireland

19. Jews, Christians and Muslims all claim Jerusalem as their religions holy site. They are constantly fighting over the land

20. Spatial divisions
Spatial divisions are how we divide the livable space found on the earth by establishing social, economic, and political control.

21. You can be a member of more than one spatial group.
Spatial divisions can also cause conflicts or cooperation

22. Examples of Spatial Divisions-- Countries Economic alliances
European Union (EU)
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)

23. Examples of Spatial Divisions-Economic Alliances cont.
North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
Association of Southeast Asian Nations

24. Examples of Spatial Divisions
Political alliances
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
Commonwealth of Nations
Organization of American States (OAS)

25. Examples of Spatial Divisions Political alliances cont.
League of Arab States
African Union (AU)

26. differences in culture, language, or religion
Spatial divisions
Reasons for spatial divisions
differences in culture, language, or religion
keeping of historical boundaries
imperial conquest and control
economic similarities and differences

27. Reasons for spatial division conflicts
Boundary and territorial disputes--Syria/Israel, Western Sahara/Morocco, China/Taiwan, India/Pakistan, Iraq/Kuwait

28. Reasons for spatial division conflicts
Cultural differences (language and religion)--Indonesia, Canada (Quebec), Ireland, Sudan
Nationalism--(the belief that your nation is superior to all others)

29. Reasons for spatial division conflicts
Economic differences--fertile land, access to fresh water, access to the coast, fishing rights, natural resources, different economic philosophies

30. Reasons for spatial division conflicts
Ethnic differences--Balkans (Europe), Cyprus (Europe), Rwanda and Burundi (Africa), Kashmir (India)

31. Examples of Cooperation
Humanitarian--Red Cross, Red Crescent
Economic Alliances--NAFTA, Law of the Sea, multinational corporations, OPEC

32. Examples of Cooperation
Cultural Alliances--French speaking world, Commonwealth of Nations
Military Alliances--NATO
Problem-solving Alliances--United Nations (UN), Antarctica Treaty

33. Examples of Cooperation
Programs to promote international understanding--
Peace Corps
Foreign Aid
Alliances for environmental preservation