Geography What 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, 20 th 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

“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?

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

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

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

Movement People, goods and ideas move between regions The earth is constantly moving – water (oceans), landforms, wind, etc.

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

The five themes ask these questions: Location – Where is it? Place – What is it like there? (both physical and human) HEI – 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?

The Geography of Breakfast a geographic thinking demonstration

Top Ten Coffee Growing Countries 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?