6 Elements Many geographers use the six essential elements to organize their study. 1. The World in Spatial Terms 2. Places and Regions 3. Physical Systems 4. Human Systems 5. Environment & Society 6. Uses of Geography

The World in Spatial Terms Geographers look at where things are on the Earth’s surface. Geographers look at where things are on the Earth’s surface. Changes in settlement patterns over time are also important. Changes in settlement patterns over time are also important.

The World in Spatial Terms It tells us where this place is in relation to other places? Or, its LOCATION

The World in Spatial Terms “Where are we?” Absolute Location: Absolute Location: Latitude and longitude (global location)Latitude and longitude (global location) Sugar Land is located at 29 ° N, 96 ° WSugar Land is located at 29 ° N, 96 ° W Street address (local location)Street address (local location)

North Pole, 90ºN Tropic of Capricorn, 23 1/2ºS Tropic of Cancer, 23 1/2ºN Antarctic Circle, 66 1/2ºS Arctic Circle, 66 1/2ºN South Pole, 90ºS

Practice What major city has the following coordinates? What major city has the following coordinates? 41ºN, 73ºW (USA) 41ºN, 73ºW (USA) 33ºN, 13ºE (Africa) 33ºN, 13ºE (Africa) 33ºS, 71ºW 33ºS, 71ºW 34ºS, 150ºE 34ºS, 150ºE  Name the global address of: Hanoi, Vietnam Hanoi, Vietnam Athens, Greece Athens, Greece Tehran, Iran Tehran, Iran Sugar Land, TX Sugar Land, TX

The World in Spatial Terms Relative Location: Relative Location: Described by landmarks, time, distance from one place to another, etc.Described by landmarks, time, distance from one place to another, etc. Sugar Land is southwest of Houston Sugar Land is southwest of Houston College Station is 1 hr 45 min away College Station is 1 hr 45 min away Israel is next to Lebanon & Jordan Israel is next to Lebanon & Jordan

Physical Systems  We study the 4 physical systems: Earth’s atmosphere, land, water and life…and the interaction b/w them all  Physical processes shape and change Earth’s physical features and environments.  Climate and weather affect humans.

Physical Systems Ecosystem: all of an area’s plants and animals together with the nonliving parts of their environment. Ecosystem: all of an area’s plants and animals together with the nonliving parts of their environment. Earth is the largest ecosystem. Earth is the largest ecosystem. Natural events and human activity change ecosystems. Natural events and human activity change ecosystems. All of life depends on these ecosystems… All of life depends on these ecosystems…

Human Systems Human systems include population distribution, growth and movement Human systems include population distribution, growth and movement Population growth is affected by a population’s age, birthrate, death rate, and life expectancy. Population growth is affected by a population’s age, birthrate, death rate, and life expectancy. What kinds of things lead to population growth? What kinds of things lead to population growth?

Human Systems  Geographers look at where people live and how crowded a place is when they study population density.  They also study migration or the movement of people.  One specific type of movement is urbanization Houston traffic

MOVEMENT Movement of people, goods, and information & ideas Movement of people, goods, and information & ideas Through travel, trade, internet, political events, etc. Through travel, trade, internet, political events, etc.

Immigration/Migration What are some push factors? What are some pull factors? Transportation of humans

Environment and Society One of the most impt. topics is how people interact with the environment. One of the most impt. topics is how people interact with the environment. Human activities can have positive and negative affects on the environment. Human activities can have positive and negative affects on the environment. Pollution in Houston, Texas on a clear day.

Environment and Society Humans adapt to env.: Humans adapt to env.: Name 3 ways humans Δ for the environment Name 3 ways humans Δ for the environment Humans modify env.: Humans modify env.: Name 3 ways humans Δ the environment Name 3 ways humans Δ the environment Humans depend on env.: Humans depend on env.: Name 3 ways humans need the environment Name 3 ways humans need the environment

Environment and Society  Resources are very impt. to study in relation to people.  Population, demands on resources.  Study the locations, quality, and quantity & and the effect of humans. Oil Fields in West Texas

Places and Regions A place has physical and human characteristics that make it special. Palo Duro Canyon

PLACE “What is it like?” Physical Characteristics: Physical Characteristics: Mountains, rivers, wildlife, beaches, etc. Mountains, rivers, wildlife, beaches, etc. Describe Texas’ Describe Texas’ physical characteristics

PLACE Human/Cultural Characteristics: Human/Cultural Characteristics: Buildings, roads, clothing, food, people, language, religion, etc Buildings, roads, clothing, food, people, language, religion, etc Describe New York’s cultural characteristics Describe New York’s cultural characteristics  People then develop an image of the place based on experience  What do you imagine when you think of China? Saudi Arabia?

What physical features of Sugar Land make it a unique place? What cultural/human characteristics are unique to Sugar Land?

REGION “How are places similar or different?” definition = area of earth’s surface with similar characteristics definition = area of earth’s surface with similar characteristics Geographers categorize regions in 3 ways: Geographers categorize regions in 3 ways: A. formal regions B. functional regions C. perceptual/vernacular regions

REGION Formal (uniform) regions: Defined by govn’t. (USA, Brazil, Texas) Defined by govn’t. (USA, Brazil, Texas) Or physical features (Rockies, Great Lake States) Or physical features (Rockies, Great Lake States) Or common Or commoncharacteristic (Corn Belt, Rust Belt)

REGION Functional regions: organized around a set of interactions and connection between places ( usually characterized by a hub, or central place, and links to the central place) Functional regions: organized around a set of interactions and connection between places ( usually characterized by a hub, or central place, and links to the central place) a newspaper’s a newspaper’s distribution route

REGION Vernacular/Perceptual regions: Vernacular/Perceptual regions: people perceive the characteristics of the region in the same way (loosely defined) people perceive the characteristics of the region in the same way (loosely defined) The Middle East (what countries are actually included? Is it linked b/c of oil? Islam?) The Middle East (what countries are actually included? Is it linked b/c of oil? Islam?) Bible Belt – southeastern states in U.S. = strict Protestants Bible Belt – southeastern states in U.S. = strict Protestants

Perceptual Region The states in dark red are almost always included in modern day definitions of the Southern United States, while those in medium red are usually included. Those cross-shaded are sometimes included due to their historic connections to the South. Southern United States

Uses of Geography Historians use geography to understand history. Historians use geography to understand history. Not only do they look at when things happened, but where and why they happened. Not only do they look at when things happened, but where and why they happened. Geography helps people understand the present as well as the past. Geography helps people understand the present as well as the past.

Uses of Geography  Geographers use many tools including maps, charts, and graphs. What else might they use?  High-tech tools such as satellites provide detailed images  Computer databases, like Geographic Information Systems, (GIS) store huge amounts of data. Satellite image of Texas, Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico