Geography of Religion Sacred Spaces, Contested Places

Religion A system of beliefs and practices –Often involving idea of divinity Deity –Divine entity E.g., God, Allah, Zeus Sacred –Infused with religious meaning

Types of Religion Monotheistic –Single supreme deity Polytheistic –Multiple deities Animistic –Spirits in natural world

Atheists/Agnostics Worldwide

In % of Americans identify as having no religion.

Types of Religion Ethnic religion –Focused on a particular group or people Universalizing –Open to all Proselytizing –Actively seek converts (sometimes through force)

Religion What are the differences between universal, ethnic and proselytizing religions? What are the world’s major religions and where are their hearths?

Issues in Geography Diffusion –How religions spread Missionaries Warfare Relocation Cultural exchange Pilgrimage –Movement/migration for religious purposes

Issues in Geography Sacred sites –Places, objects infused with religious meaning –Often subject of conflict Landscapes –Religious features are often distinctive components of cultural landscape

What and where are the following religious sites?

Christ Redeemer, Brazil

Hagia Sofia, Istanbul

LDS Temple, Salt Lake City

Pyramids at Giza

Jerusalem