Exploring Geography Chapter 1 The Study of Geography Section 1

What is Geography? Geography is the study of where people, places, and the things are located and how they relate to each other.

Geography Tools SATELLITES They use it to record images of the earth´s surface. They use it to compare images to identify changes in land, vegetation, and urban growth. SONAR It stands for Sound, Navigation, and Ranging. It determines distance and direction. Geographers use it to study the ocean floor.

More technology.. GPS GIS It´s the Global Positioning System. It provides info about location. (24 satellites) GIS Geography information systems. It´s used to collect, manipulate, analyse data in order to solve a geographic problems.

Geography´s Five Themes. To organize the study of the world we use 5 themes. Location Place Region Movement Human-environment interation.

Location Absolute Location Shows its position on the globe. They use the imaginary lines marking positions on the surface of the earth (longitudes and latitudes) New Orleans, Louisiana is at 30°N and 90°W Relative location The relation compared to other places. New Orleans is several hundred miles south of Memphis, Tennessee.

Place Physical Characteristics Landforms-flat, mountains, etc. Ecosystems- tropical rain forests. Climate- hurricanes, blizzards, floods, etc. Human Characteristics How many people live there? How many people work? What are the languages? What are the customs?

Regions Regions can be determine by perceptions. Formal Regions- Certain characteristics are found throughout the area. (Cities are political regions; same law) Functional Regions- Consists of a central place and the surroundings. (Business District, Shopping district, Housing district) Perceptual Regions- Defined by people´s feelings. (The South, Far East, Midwest)

The last 2 Themes of Geography Movement Because places have different characteristics, it follows that people, goods, and ideas will move between them. Example, New Orleans´s french influence. Indian food in England Rap music worldwide. Human-Enviornment Interaction. Enormous changes by humans. For example irrigation, automobiles, air conditioning. Plants and wildlife brought in from other areas have altered the region´s ecosystems.

Section 1 Assessment Page 42 Homework 1 Section 1 Assessment Page 42