Chapter 1: Human Geography Rae & Ben

Human Geography Human Geography- The study of how people make places, organize in society, interact with each other, and make sense of ourselves and others on different scales. “why of where”-Marvin Mikesell Almost all geographers use the term spatial- the arrangement of phenomena on Earth

Key Concepts Globalization- processes that are increasing interactions, deepening relationships, and heightening interdependence without regard to country borders. Pattern-what geographers find when looking at a map of how something is distributed across a space. Place-Uniqueness and characterization of a location. Regionalization- when places are clumped together due to some type of unifying characteristic.

Key Concepts Location- Where something is positioned on Earth Examples: Globalization-Time Warner produces works that are seen globally. Place- McDonald's next to FHS Pattern-tornadoes in the Mid West Regionalization-North Eastern USA Location- ( , ) Reisterstown

What Are Geographic Questions? Physical Geography- landforms, climate, environmental change Spatial Distribution- spatial arrangement of places and phenomena, how they are laid out and organized and how they appear on the landscape Spatial perspective- observing variations in geographic phenomena across space

5 Themes of Geography Location - Position of people and things on Earth's surface affects what happens and why. Human Environment- reciprocal relationships between humans and environment Region-features concentrated in an area Place- uniqueness of a location Movement-mobility of people, goods and ideas

What Are Geographic Questions Continued Cultural Landscape- the visible imprint of human activity on the landscape Sequent Occurance- when different cultures come to a place and change the landscape and architecture

Maps Cartography- map making: used for many purposes Reference-locations of places and geographic features Thematic Maps- tell stories, usually show movement of a phenomena Absolute location- A location that never changes longitude and latitude Relative location- describes a place in relation to other human and physical features Mental Maps- maps of places that we have been and places we have heard of Generalized Maps- Cartographers have to generalize maps so all the information can be present at a certain scale

GIS vs. GPS Compares data by combining layers of data and creating maps of patterns Analyzes data Ex: to show voter registration in race and gender; take soil surveys from different plots of land Geographic Informations SystemsGlobal Positioning System Used to determine location very quickly Used by everyday people Used by large companies and governmental agencies Ex: Geocaching

Why are geographers concerned with scale and connectedness? Scale The distance on a map compared to the distance on earth The territorial extent of something The scale at which something is studied determines the amount of detail Different patterns can be seen at different scales

Regions Geographers divide the world into regions fro analysis A region is an area that shares similar characteristics Criteria must be established in order to determine climates Vegetation distribution, soil properties, slope angles, or drainage patterns can be used as criteria for a region Regions can also be marked by visible uniformity

Regions continued Formal Region A formal region is defined by physical characteristics Formal regions are also defined by cultural traits In a formal region the people share one or more cultural traits Language can distinguish a formal region In a desert the severe aridity, sandy surfaces, and steep mountains make this a formal region because of the similar physical characteristics

Regions continued Functional Regions A functional region is defined by the particular set of activities or interactions that occur within it It is a spatial system and the boundaries of the region are defined by the limits of that system The people in that region function together politically, socially, or economically A city and the surrounding areas in which workers come from are a functional region

Regions continued Perceptual regions A perceptual region is created from the ideas and knowledge of people The natural environment plays a big role in perceptual regions The United States is divided into perceptual regions It is hard to find a distinct boundary for perceptual regions It is also difficult to determine the criteria for a perceptual region

Culture A single attribute of a culture is known as a cultural trait More then one culture may show a particular trait, but each will consist of different combinations of traits. This is known as culture complex A cultural hearth is where a cultural trait developed A trait that developed with many hearths is known as an independent invention

Diffusion Occurs through the movement of people, goods, or ideas across a space Cultural diffusion The spread of an idea or innovation from its hearth to other places Time distance decay is the acceptance of an innovation is less likely with increasing time and distance from its hearth Some cultures do not accept the traits of certain cultures and this is known as cultural barriers

Expansion Diffusion An innovation or idea develops in a hearth and remains strong their while also spreading outward Contagious diffusion is a form of expansion diffusion in which nearly all adjacent individuals are affected Hierarchical diffusion is when an idea or innovation are first spread to the most connected places or people Stimulus diffusion is when a cultural adaptation is created as a result of the introduction of a cultural trait

Relocation Diffusion Involves the movement of individuals who have adopted an idea or innovation and carry it to a new area Occurs most frequently through migration

Environmental Determinism Human behavior, individually and collectively, is strongly affected by or controlled by the physical environment Climate is the critical factor in how humans behave The climates most suited for progress and productiveness are in western Europe and the northeastern United States

Possibilism The natural environment merely serves to limit the range of choices available to a culture The choices that a society makes depends on the people in it and the technology available to them Humans have constantly pushed the boundaries of the environment and what it allows you to do