1. Unit 1 – Elements and Themes of Geography
Spring 2015

2. Geography: Defining the Discipline
What is geography?
What topics do geographers study?
What makes geography different from other disciplines?

3. Geography: Defining the Discipline
Geographia (Greek origins)
Geo (earth) + graphein (to describe or write)
To write or describe the surface of the earth
The study of the spatial arrangement and association among elements on and/or in contact with the earth’s surface
Explaining the “big picture”

4. Geography: Defining the Discipline
Three defining questions…
What is located where?
Why are things located where they are?
What is the significance?
What: Geographic reference base
2) Why: interaction between places near and far, understand the decision making or physical process, landscape modification, involves spatial analysis
3) Significance: population clusters and movement, disease transmission, environmental degradation, etc., disaster risk

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

6. 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 specialize on the interaction between humans and the Earth

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

8. Exploring Geography The world is usually described in spatial terms
Spatial relations- refer to the links that places and people have to one another because of their location
You could use the terms-
Absolute location
Relative location

9. 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?

10. 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°)
Latitude = around
Longitude – degrees east or west of the Prime Meridian (0-180°)
Longitude = over

11. Equator Prime Meridian In which hemispheres do you live?

12. Grid System
Grid System - Used to identify absolute location of any place on Earth
Measured in degrees and direction
What lines are measured with degrees?
How is direction measured?

13. Grid System

14. Compass Rose Activity Do you know how to tell direction?
In your notebook write down the saying you know in order to find out direction
Do not share your answer with anyone
Never Eat Soggy Waffles

15. World Map Activity Each person needs a blank world map
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 and identify degrees

16. Turn in Homework

17. 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) – Point A
(28°S, 125°E) – Point B
(35°N, 130°E) – Point C

19. Determining Distance
To determine distance add/subtract values N/S from each other and E/W from each other. Remember the Prime Meridian and the Equator.
What is the distance in absolute location from each of the following points:
Point A to Point B
Point B to Point C
Point C to Point A
Point A to Point C

20. II. Relative Location
Relative location - location of a place in relation to other places
This is usually how we determine location
Campbell High School is located about five miles from the Big Chicken.
Identify 5 different places using relative location

21. 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?

22. 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