Chapter 1 Key Issue 2 Why is Each Point on Earth Unique?

Big Question What factors go into making a point on Earth unique? How do regions show how areas can be unique or connects?

Key Terms Place Formal Region Location Functional Region Toponym Vernacular Region Region Culture Cultural Landscape Spatial Association

Place: A Unique Location Place– a specific point on Earth distinguished by a particular characteristic Points are unique but sometimes share similar characteristics to other places on the globe These relationships between uniqueness and connectedness are at the heart of determining why things are found where they are

Place: A Unique Location Geographers describe a place by identifying its location, the position something occupies on Earth’s surface There are three ways to identify location: Place name A toponym is the name given to a place on Earth Places may be named for people, events, religious icons, geographic features, settlers etc. and the names may change over time

Place: A Unique Location Site Refers to the physical characteristics of a place such as climate, water sources, topography, soil, vegetation, latitude, and elevation Site factors are essential in determining where to settle or build something Site can be modified to meet humans need (ex. Boston)

Place: A Unique Location Situation (or Relative Location) The location of a place relative to other places Using landmarks to help find a place and knowing the importance of a place are examples of situation

Region: A Unique Location Region - Area of Earth containing unifying characteristics The characteristics that unify a region are known as the cultural landscape – features such as language and religion, agriculture and industry, climate and vegetation

Region: A Unique Location Geographers identify three types of regions: Formal Region – also named uniform region has specific characteristics that are common throughout the region

Region: A Unique Location Functional Region – also called nodal region is an area formed around a single point. The characteristics are strongest in the middle and weaken as you move away from the center, usually true for economics (ex. TV station or mall) Vernacular Region – also called perceptual region is an area that people believe exists as part of their cultural identity (ex. The American South)

Cultural Regions Culture is very important when defining a region Culture is the body of customary beliefs, material traits, and social forms that together constitute the distinct tradition of a group of people Geographers study culture to examine what people care about, what people take care of, and why they stay in certain areas

Cultural Regions Culture evolves out language, religion, and ethnicity The distribution of language, religion, and ethnicity are a great way of identifying the location of a culture The production of material wealth (food, clothing, and shelter)…Geographers divide the world into developed and developing regions based on an areas ability to develop these basics

Cultural Regions Spatial Association – shows the relationship between one areas feature and another feature from the same area (ex. Crime and education)

Big Question & Key Terms What factors go into making a point on Earth unique? How do regions show how areas can be unique or connects? Place Location Toponym Region Cultural Landscape Formal Region Functional Region Vernacular Region Culture Spatial Association