1. A Close Look at Geography as a Social Science Discipline
What is Geography?
A Close Look at Geography as a Social Science Discipline

2. Geography is the scientific and systematic study of both the physical and cultural features of the earth’s surface. It is a spatial perspective looking at patterns and distributions on the earth’s surface.

3. Questions that “Geography” addresses
Where are things located?
Why are they important?
How are places related?
How are places connected?
How are humans affected by these locations?

4. Physical Geography and Human or Cultural Geography
Difference between
Physical Geography and Human or Cultural Geography

5. Geomorphology-studies the form and structure of the surface of the earth
Climatology-involves the study of long term weather conditions on the earth
Hydrography-concerns the distribution of water (oceans, rivers, lakes, and their uses)
Biogeography-studies the flora (plant life) and the fauna (animal life)
Pedology-study the soils
Ecology-studies the interactions between life forms and the environment
Geoglogy- study of rocks and the earth’s interior
Physical Geography is the study of the four spheres (Lithosphere, Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, and Biosphere)

6. Historical Geography
Demography and Population Geography
Political Geography-nations, boundaries, geopolitics, military movements, treaties, devolution, choke points and imperialism
Geography of Religion
Geography of Languages
Urban Geography-settlements, cities and transportation systems
Economic Geography-Industries, economic development and manufacturing regions
Agricultural Geography
Medical Geography
Social Geography
Environmental Geography
Human Geography is the study of the spatial differentiation and organization of human activity on the earth’s surface.

7. Read the Article of “History of Geography”

8. Development of Geographic Thought
“Four Traditions of Geography”
Earth Science Tradition (physical geography approach)
Locational Tradition (use of satellite imaging-mapping)
Cultural-Environment Tradition (impact of deforestation)
Area-Analysis Tradition (regional patterns of development)
Development of Geographic Thought

9. Development of Geographic Thought
“Why Geography Matters” (DeBlij)
Age of Exploration (China, European, Islamic)
Globalization(expansion of economic and political activities aided by information technology and transportation)
Devolution(regions within countries demanding autonomy)
Supranationalism(E.E.C., A.P.E.C., N.A.T.O.)
Environmental Degradation
Remote Sensing(spy satellites-used in Iraq and Afghanistan)
Development of Geographic Thought

10. Approaches to the Study of Geography
Regional(Latin America, Subsaharan Africa, Southeast Asia)
Systematic(Human Geography, Physical Geography, Historical Geography)
Approaches to the Study of Geography

11. The Importance of Physical Geography to Human Geography

12. Humid Equatorial Climates-no dry season, short dry season, and dry winters
Dry Climates-semiarid and arid
Humid Temperate Climates-no dry season, dry winter, dry summer
Humid Cold Climates-no dry season, dry winter
Cold Polar Climate (tundra and ice)
Highland Climate (vertical)
Koppen Classification System of Climates (based on rainfall and temperatures)

13. Koppen Classification System
Greenhouse Effects- “Global Warming”
El Nino-areas of regional warming
Soils (fertility and degradation)
Global Distribution of Precipitation
Monsoons
Intensity-Regularity
Koppen Classification System

14. Ecosystems or Ecological Systems
Ecosystems are living communities of plants and animals that share common characteristics—primarily related to climate, soil, and vegetation.
Abiotic Elements-those that are non-living but that affect systems (water, heat, relief, nutrients, rocks, atmosphere)
Biotic Elements-those living elements of the ecosystem (plants and animals)
Food Chains (sequences of consumption)
Biomes (large subdivisions of terrestrial ecosystems found in the world)
Ecosystems or Ecological Systems

15. Other physical interactions
Major Global Biomes
Desertification and the Sahel
The Management of Global Ecosystems
Sustainability-main method of management
Other physical interactions

16. Major Physical Problems
Tropical Rainforests-removal of trees results in removal of nutrients for soil, less oxygen produced and more CO-2 remains in the atmosphere
Acid Rain-sulfur dioxides and nitrogen oxides emitted from power pollutes lakes and rivers (pollution from Britain and Western Europe has damaged Scandanavia and Eastern European countries: also, pollution from the midwestern states had damaged the Great Lakes and Eastern Canada)
Major Physical Problems

17. Tools and Methods of Geographers
Collecting Data
Field Studies
Secondary Sources (censuses, surveys, maps, and photographs)
Since WWII (aerial photography, radar, underwater crafts (bathyspheres) and “Remote Sensing” with satellites. Information obtained from the Landsat satellite is used to map land use, manage forested land, estimate crop prodution, monitoring grazing conditions, access to quality water and protect wildlife
Global Positioning System-a series of satellites that provide precise information on location, altitude, and time
Tools and Methods of Geographers

18. Tools and Methods of Geographers
Cartography-the art and science of creating, using and study of mapping
The map is the most important tool of geography
Maps provide a wealth of factual information such as visual comparisons between areas and geographic features of an area
Tools and Methods of Geographers

19. Tools and Methods of Geographers
Analyzing Geographic Information
Since the 1950’s geographers have made increasing use of quantitative methods and techniques to analyze data
Quantitative methods have been particularly useful in location theory and population distribution
Tools and Methods of Geographers

20. Tools and Methods of Geographers
Geographic Information Systems
GIS is a computer technology that manages georeferenced information
GIS allows the analysis of mass amounts of data in a two or three dimensional imaging systems
Tools and Methods of Geographers

21. Tools and Methods of Geographers
Types of Maps
Topographic
Tools and Methods of Geographers

22. Tools and Methods of Geographers
Types of Maps
Thematic
Dot maps
Choropleth maps
Isoline maps
Tools and Methods of Geographers

23. Tools and Methods of Geographers
Types of Maps
Physical
Tools and Methods of Geographers

24. Tools and Methods of Geographers
Types of Maps
Political
Tools and Methods of Geographers