INTRODUCTION TO REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY E.J. PALKA

OUTLINE Geography: The discipline Geographic Realms Transition Zones Regions Physical Setting

The study of place and space. The word, “spatial” is a purely Geographical concept. Does NOT refer to “outer space”. Divided into: Physical & Human. Studies human activity, the natural environment, and the relationship between the two. Studies the location and distribution of features on the Earth’s surface. Answers where and why Why is Timbuktu where it is, and why did the settlement evolve on this site? (see handouts) GEOGRAPHY

The largest geographic units into which the inhabited world can be dividedThe largest geographic units into which the inhabited world can be divided Based on both physical (natural) and human (cultural) criteriaBased on both physical (natural) and human (cultural) criteria GEOGRAPHIC REALMS Realms are based on Spatial Criteria

WORLD GEOGRAPHIC REALMS Geographic realms change over time. Where geographic realms meet, transition zones, not sharp boundaries, mark their contacts.

An area of spatial change where peripheries of two adjacent realms or regions joinAn area of spatial change where peripheries of two adjacent realms or regions join Marked by a gradual shift (rather than a sharp break) in the characteristics that distinguish neighboring realmsMarked by a gradual shift (rather than a sharp break) in the characteristics that distinguish neighboring realms TRANSITION ZONES

GEOGRAPHICAL CLASSIFICATION The World Realms Regions CONCEPT OF SCALE

Marked by a certain degree of homogeneity (sameness) in one or more phenomena. In other words, areas of similar characteristics.Marked by a certain degree of homogeneity (sameness) in one or more phenomena. In other words, areas of similar characteristics. Also called a uniform region or homogeneous regionAlso called a uniform region or homogeneous region REGION Examples: Corn Belt Megalopolis

Scientific devices that enable us to make spatial generalizationsScientific devices that enable us to make spatial generalizations Based on criteria we establishBased on criteria we establish Criteria can be:Criteria can be: Human (cultural) propertiesHuman (cultural) properties Physical (natural) characteristicsPhysical (natural) characteristics or Bothor Both REGIONS

All regions have:All regions have: AreaArea BoundariesBoundaries LocationLocation REGIONS

THE PHYSICAL SETTING Physical Geography Alfred Wegner Tectonic plates Continental drift Pacific Ring of fire

CLIMATE Hydrologic cycle Precipitation patterns Climate regions

 A wide-ranging and comprehensive field that studies spatial aspects of human cultures  Culture: Shared patterns of learned behavior  Components: Beliefs; Institutions; and Technology CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY

 The composite of human imprints on the earth’s surface.  Carl Sauer’s definition: “the forms superimposed on the physical landscape by the activities of man” CULTURAL LANDSCAPE

 The source areas from which radiated ideas, innovations, and ideologies that change the world beyond CULTURE HEARTH

 A subfield within the human branch of geography  The study of the interaction of geographical area and political process  The spatial analysis of political phenomena and processes POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY

 A politically organized territory  Administered by a sovereign government  Recognized by a significant portion of the international community.  A state must also contain: a permanent resident population a permanent resident population an organized economy an organized economy a functioning internal circulation system a functioning internal circulation system STATE

Must a nation be a place?  Some examples of stateless nations: the Cherokee Nation, the Palestinians, the Kurds (see next slide). NATION

THE KURDS KURDISH REGION

 4 major clusters 1) East Asia2) South Asia 3) Europe4) Eastern North America POPULATION DISTRIBUTION

PATTERNS OF DEVELOPMENT  Economic geography: Core areas vs. peripheries  Economic conditions (World Bank’s groupings)

PATTERNS OF DEVELOPMENT

THE GEOGRAPHER’S PERSPECTIVE