Cultural Geography WG.3c, 10b-c

Cultural Characteristics Cultural characteristics are parts of a groups everyday life. They are the ideas and themes which the group will teach to all members. These same characteristics can also link or divide a region.

Examples of cultural characteristics would be language, religion, and ethnic heritage

Examples of cultural characteristics Language Arabic unites the Arab world Spanish unites the Hispanic world

Brazil is the only South American nation which does not speak Spanish Brazil is the only South American nation which does not speak Spanish. It speaks Portuguese.

Canada is a bilingual nation Canada is a bilingual nation. French and English is its official language.

Examples of cultural characteristics Switzerland has multiple languages but very little conflict between the groups English is now considered the world language and is used for most business transactions around the world

Examples of cultural characteristics Ethnic Heritage In Yugoslavia, many ethnic groups were made into one country (Serbs, Croats, Bosnians, Albanians).

When strong leadership died out, the different groups fought a very bloody civil war and now they all have separate countries

Examples of cultural characteristics In the countries of Rwanda and Burundi in Africa, Two ethnic groups are dominate, the Tutsis and the Hutus.

The Hutus are dominate in one and they persecute the Tutsis, and the Tutsis are dominate in the other

and they persecute the Hutus and they persecute the Hutus. It has led to almost constant war between the groups.

Examples of cultural characteristics The United States and Switzerland have peacefully merged multiple ethnic groups in their countries. Korea and Japan have primarily one ethnic group

On the island of Cyprus, the Greeks and the Turks try to gain control

Examples of cultural characteristics Religion can be both a unifying force. There are five major religions in the world today--Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

They have millions of followers all believing the same thing.

Examples of cultural characteristics Religion can also be a dividing force around the world. Hindus and Muslims fight in India (Hindu) and Pakistan (Muslim)

There are conflicts between Catholics and Protestants (two forms of Christianity) in Northern Ireland

Jews, Christians and Muslims all claim Jerusalem as their religions holy site. They are constantly fighting over the land

Spatial divisions Spatial divisions are how we divide the livable space found on the earth by establishing social, economic, and political control.

You can be a member of more than one spatial group. Spatial divisions can also cause conflicts or cooperation

Examples of Spatial Divisions-- Countries Economic alliances European Union (EU) Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)

Examples of Spatial Divisions-Economic Alliances cont. North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Association of Southeast Asian Nations

Examples of Spatial Divisions Political alliances North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Commonwealth of Nations Organization of American States (OAS)

Examples of Spatial Divisions Political alliances cont. League of Arab States African Union (AU)

differences in culture, language, or religion Spatial divisions Reasons for spatial divisions differences in culture, language, or religion keeping of historical boundaries imperial conquest and control economic similarities and differences

Reasons for spatial division conflicts Boundary and territorial disputes--Syria/Israel, Western Sahara/Morocco, China/Taiwan, India/Pakistan, Iraq/Kuwait

Reasons for spatial division conflicts Cultural differences (language and religion)--Indonesia, Canada (Quebec), Ireland, Sudan Nationalism--(the belief that your nation is superior to all others)

Reasons for spatial division conflicts Economic differences--fertile land, access to fresh water, access to the coast, fishing rights, natural resources, different economic philosophies

Reasons for spatial division conflicts Ethnic differences--Balkans (Europe), Cyprus (Europe), Rwanda and Burundi (Africa), Kashmir (India)

Examples of Cooperation Humanitarian--Red Cross, Red Crescent Economic Alliances--NAFTA, Law of the Sea, multinational corporations, OPEC

Examples of Cooperation Cultural Alliances--French speaking world, Commonwealth of Nations Military Alliances--NATO Problem-solving Alliances--United Nations (UN), Antarctica Treaty

Examples of Cooperation Programs to promote international understanding-- Peace Corps Foreign Aid Alliances for environmental preservation