1. The 6 Elements of Geography

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

3. The World in Spatial Terms
Geographers look at where things are on the Earth’s surface. (SITE)
Importance obvious in settlement patterns over time

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

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

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

8. Place
A place has physical and human characteristics that make it special. Gives you a “sense of place”
Palo Duro Canyon

9. “What kind of place is it?”
Physical Characteristics:
Mountains, rivers, wildlife, beaches, etc.
Describe Texas’
physical characteristics

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

11. REGION
definition = area of earth’s surface with similar characteristics; how places are linked
Geographers categorize regions in 3 ways:
A. formal regions
B. functional regions
C. perceptual/vernacular regions

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

13. 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)
a newspaper’s
distribution route

14. REGION Vernacular/Perceptual regions:
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?)
Bible Belt – southeastern states in U.S. = strict Protestants

15. Environment and Society
One of the most impt topics is how ppl interact with the environment.
Human activities can have positive and negative affects on the environment.
Pollution in Beijing

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

20. 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

21. What are these pictures showing?

22. Humans Adapt

23. Place- Human

24. Global Positioning System

25. Formal Region

26. Humans Modify

27. Place- Human

28. Geographic Information System

29. Formal Region

30. Place- Physical

31. Functional Region

32. Perceptual Region

33. Remote Sensing via Satellites

34. Humans Modify

35. Functional Region
US Airways Routes

36. Place- Physical

37. Perceptual Region
Dixie Land