The Geographers Eye Seeing the World In Spatial Terms

What do Geographers Do? What do Geographers Do?

How do they answer those questions? How do they answer those questions? They use the SPATIAL ANALYSIS of natural and human phenomena. They use the SPATIAL ANALYSIS of natural and human phenomena. What in the world does this mean? What in the world does this mean?

Spatial Analysis They see geography as a study of distribution, places and regions. A study of man-land relationships and research in earth sciences. Geographers seek to understand the Earth and all of its human and natural complexities—not merely where objects are, but how they have changed and come to be. They see geography as a study of distribution, places and regions. A study of man-land relationships and research in earth sciences. Geographers seek to understand the Earth and all of its human and natural complexities—not merely where objects are, but how they have changed and come to be. Geography has been called 'the world discipline'. As "the bridge between the human and physical sciences," geography is divided into two main branches—human geography and physical geography Geography has been called 'the world discipline'. As "the bridge between the human and physical sciences," geography is divided into two main branches—human geography and physical geography

Where is it?

Two Types of Location Two Types of Location

Absolute Location Absolute: Latitude and Longitude Absolute: Latitude and Longitude 30° north and 95° west (anyone know where that is?) where that is?)

World Geographic Grid The world geographic grid consists of meridians of longitude and parallels of latitude. The prime meridian ( 0º) passes through Greenwich, England.

Latitudes

North/South Hemispheres

Longitudes

Measurement

Relative Location Relative: Describing where a place is by describing places near it. Relative: Describing where a place is by describing places near it. –South Carolina is north of Georgia and east of Tennessee.

What it is like?

Two Features

Human features: The culture of a place. Human features: The culture of a place. –Race, religions, languages, governments, occupations, architecture, foods, clothing, etc.

Physical features: Things determined by nature. Physical features: Things determined by nature. –Climate, indigenous plants, animals, land forms, types of soils, etc.

How do people relate to the physical world?

Human- Environment Interaction How people effect the environment and how the environment affects people. How people effect the environment and how the environment affects people.

Examples Dams Dams Roads Roads Farms Farms Cities Cities

How do people, ideas, & products move from one location to another?

Movement Movement of people, goods, and ideas from one place to another. Movement of people, goods, and ideas from one place to another.

Everything Came From Somewhere

Movement is Measured In Distance and Time Linear Distance Linear Distance How far do people, products and ideas travel from one location to another. How far do people, products and ideas travel from one location to another.

Time Distance The amount of time it takes for a person/idea/good to travel from one location to another. The amount of time it takes for a person/idea/good to travel from one location to another.

Psychological Time The way people perceive distance. The way people perceive distance.

How are areas similar or different?

Region Region An area that is unique. Geographers use regions to compare different areas. An area that is unique. Geographers use regions to compare different areas.

Distinctive Characteristics

Formal Regions Formal regions are those that are designated by official boundaries, such as cities, states, counties, and countries. For the most part, they are clearly indicated and publicly known. Formal regions are those that are designated by official boundaries, such as cities, states, counties, and countries. For the most part, they are clearly indicated and publicly known. Texas Texas USA USA Houston Houston Harris county Harris county

Functional Regions Organized around a set of interactions and connections between places. Areas are connected because a certain type of function exists to connect them. Organized around a set of interactions and connections between places. Areas are connected because a certain type of function exists to connect them. Railroad service areas Railroad service areas Distribution of a paper Distribution of a paper Bus routes Bus routes

Formal and Functional Regions The state of Iowa is an example of a formal region; the areas of influence of various television stations are examples of functional regions.

Perceptual Regions People see characteristics the same way. People see characteristics the same way. Hill Country Hill Country Acadiana Acadiana The Midwest The Midwest NW Houston NW Houston

Spatial Association at Various Scales Death rates from cancer in the US, Maryland, and Baltimore show different patterns that can identify associations with different factors.

Cancer Death Rates in the U.S.

Cancer Death Rates in Maryland

Cancer Death Rates in Baltimore

Perceptual Regions A number of features are often used to define the South as a perceptual region, each of which identifies somewhat different boundaries.