1. Physical Geography

2. What is Physical Geography?
Write 2 sentences about what YOU think physical geography is…
You have 3 minutes

3. Geography
The study of the physical and human landscapes of Earth and the interaction between the two
Physical Geography – the study of Earth’s physical features
Human (Cultural) Geography – the study of human activities and their relationship to the cultural and physical environments
Geographers specializeion the interaction between humans and the Earth

4. Physical Environment
Consists of physical features that occur naturally
4 Major Components
Water
Natural Vegetation
Landforms and rocks
Weather and Climate

5. Exploring Geography What is absolute location?
The world is usually described in spatial terms
Absolute location
Relative location
Review:
What is absolute location?
What is relative location?

6. I. Absolute Location
Absolute location - The exact spot at which the place is found on the globe
To determine absolute location, geographers use imaginary lines around the earth
What lines are they?

7. Imaginary Lines
Equator – divides the earth into Northern and Southern hemispheres:
Prime Meridian – divides the earth into Eastern and Western hemispheres (Greenwich, England)
Latitude – degrees north or south of the equator (0-90°)
Longitude – degrees east or west of the Prime Meridian (0- 180°)
Tropic of Cancer-  It is the most northerly circle of latitude on Earth where the Sun is directly overhead.
Tropic of Capricorn- It is the most southerly circle of latitude on Earth where the Sun is directly overhead.

8. Equator Prime Meridian In which hemisphere do you live?

9. Grid System

10. World Map Activity
Each person needs a blank world map with longitude and latitude lines
Locate the following –
North Pole
South Pole
Equator
Eastern Hemisphere
Western Hemisphere
Prime Meridian
Northern Hemisphere
Southern Hemisphere
Tropic of Cancer
Tropic of Capricorn
Draw your Compass Rose

11. Grid System Activity You will have a partner
Latitude is measured 0-90° North or South
Longitude is measured 0-180° West or East
When plotting it goes latitude then longitude Ex: (5°N, 125°)
Locate the following absolute locations
(15°S, 60°W)
(28°S, 125°E)
(35°N, 130°E)

12. II. Relative Location
Relative location - location of a place in relation to other places
This is usually how we determine location
Socorro High School is next to Churches Chicken or Vista
Identify 5 different places using relative location

13. III. Places Place – a particular space with physical and human meaning
Every place has its own unique characteristics, determined by the surrounding environment and the people who live there
What is the most important place to you in the world and why?

14. IV. Regions
Region – a group of places united by similar characteristics
May be physical such as soil type, vegetation and climate
Or by human factors such as language, religion, forms of government, etc
Name 5 regions that you already know

15. V. Physical Systems
Physical Systems-The physical processes that shape the patterns on Earth’s surface
El Paso Floods
Volcanoes
Hurricane Katrina

16. Ecosystems
Ecosystems- Community of plants and animals that depend upon one another, and their surroundings for survival
Geography look at how physical features interact with the ecosystems

17. VI. Human Systems Geographers study how people shape the Earth
Theme in Geography – MOVEMENT
Movement – ongoing movement of people, goods and ideas
People compete or cooperate with each other to either change or control aspects of the Earth to meet their needs
Write 2 sentences as to why you think movement is important..

18. VII. Human-Environment Interaction
Another theme of Geography
HEI- The study of the interrelationship between people and their physical environment
Environment
Mountains and deserts often pose barriers to human movement
Humans
Building a dam, alters the physical environment

19. Examples of Human-Environment Interaction
How do people use their environment?
How and why have they changed it?
What consequences result from those changes?

20. Use of Geography
Geography gives us insight into how physical features and living things develop in the past
It is important to apply all these concepts with events that are going on in the world TODAY!!

21. Geographer’s Craft
Geographers use tools to help them analyze information
Population Pyramids
Population Density Maps
GPS (Global Positioning System)
GIS (Geographic Information Systems)
Cartography
Direct Observation
Interviewing
Statistics
Technology

22. Writing Journal What is the study of Geography?
What tools do geographers use?