Chapter 1 Key Issue 2 Why is Each Point on Earth Unique?

Place: Unique Location of a Feature Geographers identify location in one of four ways-place- names, site, situation, and absolute location. Geographers identify location in one of four ways-place- names, site, situation, and absolute location. All inhabited places on the Earth’s surface have been given place-names or toponyms. All inhabited places on the Earth’s surface have been given place-names or toponyms. Place names may tell us about historical origins, such as “Battle” in southern England, which is named for the Battle of Hastings. Place names may tell us about historical origins, such as “Battle” in southern England, which is named for the Battle of Hastings. They can also give us an indication of the physical environment-Aberystwyth in Wales, for example, which means “mouth of the River Ystwyth.” They can also give us an indication of the physical environment-Aberystwyth in Wales, for example, which means “mouth of the River Ystwyth.” Place names may speak to religion, such as Islamabad, Pakistan, or economics, such as Gold Point, Nevada. Place names may speak to religion, such as Islamabad, Pakistan, or economics, such as Gold Point, Nevada. Place names also change because of political turmoil. The city that was Leningrad in Russia during the communist era has now been changed back to St. Petersburg. Place names also change because of political turmoil. The city that was Leningrad in Russia during the communist era has now been changed back to St. Petersburg.

Site Site refers to the specific physical characteristics of a place. Site refers to the specific physical characteristics of a place. Important site characteristics include climate, water sources, topography, soil, vegetation, latitude, and elevation. Important site characteristics include climate, water sources, topography, soil, vegetation, latitude, and elevation. The combination of physical features gives each place a distinctive character. The combination of physical features gives each place a distinctive character. Site factors have always been essential in selecting locations for settlements. Site factors have always been essential in selecting locations for settlements.

Situation Situation or relative location describes a place’s relationship relative to other places around it. Situation or relative location describes a place’s relationship relative to other places around it. Situation is a valuable way to indicate location, for two reasons- finding an unfamiliar place and understanding its importance. Situation is a valuable way to indicate location, for two reasons- finding an unfamiliar place and understanding its importance.

Mathematical Location The exact location of a place on the Earth’s surface can be pinpointed on a standard grid or coordinate system. The exact location of a place on the Earth’s surface can be pinpointed on a standard grid or coordinate system. This universally accepted system of latitude and longitude consists of imaginary arcs on a globe. This universally accepted system of latitude and longitude consists of imaginary arcs on a globe. Line of longitude or meridians are drawn between the North and South poles according to a numbering system. Line of longitude or meridians are drawn between the North and South poles according to a numbering system. 0º is the prime meridian, which passes through the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, Great Britain. 0º is the prime meridian, which passes through the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, Great Britain. The meridian on the opposite side of the globe is 180º longitude and is called the International Date Line. The meridian on the opposite side of the globe is 180º longitude and is called the International Date Line. Lines of latitude or parallels are circles drawn around the globe parallel to the equator. Lines of latitude or parallels are circles drawn around the globe parallel to the equator. The grid system is especially useful for determining location where there has been no human settlement. The grid system is especially useful for determining location where there has been no human settlement.

Regions: Areas of Unique Characteristics A region is generally defined as an area larger than a single city that contains unifying cultural and/or physical characteristics. A region is generally defined as an area larger than a single city that contains unifying cultural and/or physical characteristics. Geographers have identified 3 types of regions: formal, functional, and vernacular. Geographers have identified 3 types of regions: formal, functional, and vernacular. A formal region is also called a uniform region because it has specific characteristics that are fairly uniform throughout that region. A formal region is also called a uniform region because it has specific characteristics that are fairly uniform throughout that region. A functional region is also called a nodal region because it is defined by a social or economic function that occurs between a node or focal point and the surrounding areas. For example, the circulation area of the Denver Post is a functional region and Denver is the node. A functional region is also called a nodal region because it is defined by a social or economic function that occurs between a node or focal point and the surrounding areas. For example, the circulation area of the Denver Post is a functional region and Denver is the node. A vernacular region or perceptual region is one that exists in people’s minds such as the American “South.” When individuals are asked to draw a boundary around this region, their boundary will probably be based on stereotypes they associate with the South such as climate, accent, cuisine, and religious practices such as Southern Baptist. A vernacular region or perceptual region is one that exists in people’s minds such as the American “South.” When individuals are asked to draw a boundary around this region, their boundary will probably be based on stereotypes they associate with the South such as climate, accent, cuisine, and religious practices such as Southern Baptist. One’s attachment to a region perceived as home is sometimes called a sense of place. One’s attachment to a region perceived as home is sometimes called a sense of place.