Basic Geographical Concepts 1st Unit of the AP Curriculum

Basic Terms Geography Human Geography Physical Geography Map Place Region Scale Space Connections

Maps Term: Cartography Reasons for Mapmaking: Reference Tool Communication Tool

Maps Ancient Western Cartographers - Aristotle (4th cent. B.C.) – spherical world Eratosthenes (3rd cent. B.C.) – “geography” Ptolemy (2nd cent. A.D.) – Roman mapmaking little European mapmaking advances until Age of Exploration (late 15th cent. A.D.)

Maps Eastern Map Makers: Phei Hsiu (Fei Xiu) (3rd cent. A.D.) – “father of Chinese cartography” Al-Idrisi (12th cent. A.D.) – Muslim geographer – drew world map Ibn-Battutah (14th cent. A.D.) – Rihlah (Travels) book describing Muslim world (Afr., Eur., Asia)

Maps Gerladus Mercator (16thc. CE) – modern world map (“the map” for centuries) Abraham Ortelius (16thc. CE) – Flemish Cartographer, created early world map Bernhardus Varenius (17thc.CE) –most continents and oceans displayed correctly in his Geographica Generalis

Scale 3 types of scale 1. ratio/fraction – 1:24,000 OR 1/24,000 2. written – “1 inch equals 1 mile” 3. graphic – bar line (ex: road maps) If you want details – close up view (1:10,000) If you want trends – farther view (1:10,000,000) Google Maps - For Scale

Projection All projections lead to distortions, particularly with larger scale maps types of distortions: 1. shape 2. distance 3. relative size 4. direction

Projection Equal Area Projections [pros & cons?]  

Projection Uninterrupted projections [pros & cons?] Robinson Projection [pros & cons?]

Projections Mercator Projection [pros & cons?]

Projections The West Wing

U.S. Land Ordinance of 1785 Organized structure of land development used to settle most of western U.S. into Townships (6 square miles) began in “Old NW” (current Midwest) 1785 Land Ordinance Diagram

Ways Geographers Gather Info. Remote Sensing Pictures taken from above Earth’s crust (usually in satellites) http://visibleearth.nasa.gov/ http://mashable.com/2013/08/26/space-photos-satellite/#gallery/x-amazing-satellite-images-from-space/5234f9ff12d2cd4bd0002fd5 Under Surveillance, discuss the competing national interests of protecting individual rights and maintaining a safe and secure country

Ways Geographers Gather Info. GPS (Global Positioning System) Precise location Navigation primary purpose Surveillance? Used in GIS

Ways Geographers Gather Info. GIS (Geographic Information System) Super-accurate maps w/ diff. layers Used to study relationships b/t diff. data sets http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8RhDpuLPl0 Google Earth http://www.google.com/earth/explore/showcase/

Another GIS

ARC View GIS Food and Environment Atlas: http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-environment-atlas/go-to-the-atlas.aspx#.UkI7JFNc_7k ArcGIS from ESRI, Featured Maps: http://www.arcgis.com/home/gallery.html

Place Location Can be identified in 4 ways: Place Name (Toponym) Site How do places get their names? Mianus, CT; Hooker Point, FL; Slickpoo, ID; Suckerville, ME; Hell, MI, TruthorConsequences, NM; Monkey’s Eyebrow, KY; Phuket, Thailand; Intercourse, PA Site What physical characteristics can a place have?

Place Situation Site vs. Situation of place Mathematical Location Site (New Orleans below sea level) Situation (New Orleans on the mouth of the Mississippi and Gulf of Mexico) Mathematical Location Meridians Parallels

Place Location (A few more concepts): Absolute location latitude/longitude Benefits of GPS NEVER changes (in your life time) Relative location Location determined by what is closest around you Demonstrates focal points of the people Constantly changing

Region Terms: Cultural Landscape Regional Studies

Region Types of Regions: Formal Region: uniform area with common characteristics Functional Region: area organized around a focal point Vernacular Region: area that people believe exists as part of the cultural identify Mental maps  demonstrate “activity space” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGVSIkEi3mM

Region Term: Spatial Association Culture – define? What People Care About What People Take Care Of

Culture What People Care About: Beliefs, Values, Ideas Language Significance? Language Religion Ethnicity

Culture What People Take Care Of: Food, Clothing, Shelter, Political Institutions MDC LDC

Cultural Ecology Cultural Ecology – Human-Environment Interaction Environmental Determinism: Humbolt and Ritter (18c. Germany) Physical Environment determines social development Possiblism: With some limitations, people can adjust the environment Resources

Cultural Ecology Physical Processes Climate Vegetation Soil Landforms

Cultural Ecology Climate: Vladimir Koppan System A: Tropical B: Dry C: Warm-Middle Latitude D: Cold – Middle Latitude E: Polar

Cultural Ecology Vegetation (Biomes): A: Forest B:Savanna C: Grassland D: Desert

Cultural Ecology Soil: Landforms: Modification – examples? Thin interface between air and rock (dirt and nutrients) 12 orders, with subdivisions = 12,000 types of soil (US Comprehensive Soil Classification) Landforms: Geomorphology Modification – examples?

Environmental Modification Case Study: The Netherlands Florida Before the Levees Break: A Plan to Save the Netherlands http://www.wired.com/science/planetearth/magazine/17-01/ff_dutch_delta Assignment Earth: Florida Everglades dying of thirst (June 24, 2010) http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/wilderness-resources/videos/assignment-earth-florida-everglades-dying-of-thirst

Environmental Modification Thinking Critically: After viewing the two clips, construct a response to the following question that includes examples/details from each clip; When earthquakes, hurricanes, or other environmental disasters strike, humans tend to “blame” nature and see themselves as innocent victims of a harsh and cruel nature. To what extent do environmental hazards stem from unpredictable nature, and to what extent do they originate from human actions? Should victims blame nature, other humans, or themselves for the disaster? Why? Thinking Critically (taken from page 42 in Rubenstein’s 8th Edition):

From Local to Global Terms: Globalization Transnational Corporations Of Economies- more uniform, integrated, interdependent Transnational Corporations

Globalization and Glocalization Bangalore, India, March 2012

From Local to Global Terms: Globalization Of Culture - more uniform, integrated, interdependent Connection to technology Connection to global economy Results? Conflict – tensions between local and global forces

From Local to Global Lorde – Royals

Distribution of Features Term: Distribution 3 Main Properties: Density Arithmetic Physiological Agricultural Concentration Pattern

Distribution of Features Gender and Ethnic Diversity in Space Use and distribution of space by gender, ethnicity, race Not biological, but artificial constructs Space-Time Compression Technology Connection to Diffusion Spatial Interaction History until 1800 vs Today Distance Decay

Diffusion Cultural hearth – origin of a particular cultural trait Two Types Expansion Stays strong in the core Relocation Gets weaker in the core

Kinds of Expansion Diffusion Hierarchal Diffusion – spread of an idea through an established structure usually from people or areas of power down to other people or areas Urban areas to other urban areas and then spread to surrounding areas Rap music High-end fashion trends Wealthy people to middle class to lower class Any technological invention

This is a map of the diffusion of _______?

Expansion Diffusion Contagious Diffusion – spread of an idea/trait/concept through a group of people or an area equally without regard to social class, economic position or position of power. Flu epidemic Gossip in school?? Your book says information on the web is Contagious… do you agree???

Diagram of Contagious Diffusion ‘A’ is a diagram of contagious diffusion. Notice virtually all ‘adopt.’ ‘B’ is a diagram of hierarchical diffusion. Notice the leapfrogging over some areas.

Expansion Diffusion Stimulus Diffusion – the spread of an underlying principle even though the new groups “remix” your idea OR Stimulus Diffusion - involves the transfer of an underlying concept or idea, without the specific accompanying traits due to some cultural or other barrier to the movement of the idea

Stimulus Diffusion ex. (Michael Ayres) McDonald’s in India  “Maharaja Mac” Sesame Street  OVER 30 Countries have adopted principles of this show Coca Cola and its different tastes around the world                                http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VM2eLhvsSM

Maharajah Mac Bangalore, India, March, 2012 http://www.buzzfeed.com/eing6888/check-out-this-new-mcdonalds-promotional-menu-in-77we McDonald’s new menu in Thailand. McDonald’s commercials from a global perspective: http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/culture-lifestyle/food-drink/130709/10-amazing-mcdonalds-commercials-international

The World According to Sesame Street http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/worldaccordingtosesamestreet/

RELOCATION DIFFUSION Sequential diffusion process in which the items being diffused are transmitted by their carrier agents as they evacuate the old areas and relocate to new ones. The most common form of relocation diffusion involves the spreading of innovations by a migrating population.

Relocation and Expansion – In Review ‘A’ is relocation diffusion as the person goes. ‘B’ is expansion diffusion as the idea/trait moves or transports.

AIDS and Relocation Diffusion Some authors suggest AIDS diffuses through relocation diffusion. This is true by the fact that the diffusers “take” the disease with them. However, AIDS is not contracted by everyone in its path. More importantly, the pattern of AIDS diffusion is more classically hierarchal (and therefore expansion).

Migrant Diffusion (a form of Relocation Diffusion?) Idea enjoys strong, (perhaps brief,) adoption in hearth Idea travels elsewhere (& thrives) Idea fades out back in the hearth Ex. Disco in Egypt Ex. “Baywatch” in Europe Ex. Communism Ex. Old cars MR. KELLER’s HAIR!

One more look…Wal-Mart as both ___________ and __________diffusion – WHY?

Diffusion of Wal-Mart, Target and Costco What type(s) of diffusion? Interactive maps of the evolution of retail from Flowing Data: Wal-Mart: http://flowingdata.com/2010/04/07/watching-the-growth-of-walmart-now-with-100-more-sams-club/ Target: http://projects.flowingdata.com/target/ Costco: http://projects.flowingdata.com/costco/

BARRIERS TO DIFFUSION CULTURAL BARRIERS PHYSICAL BARRIERS Some practices, ideas, innovations are not acceptable/adoptable in a particular culture Cultural taboos e.g. pork, alcohol, contraceptives PHYSICAL BARRIERS Physical barriers on the surface may prohibit/inhibit adoption Not as relevant today b/c of technology TIME-DISTANCE DECAY Farther from the source & the more time it takes, the less likely innovation adopted (more likely the same trait will develop differently) Technology makes this less important “Friction of Distance” – Interaction and communication between 2 things declines the further away you get

Distance Decay Graph Learn to think about distance decay in a “spatial” context Think of distance decay in terms of an ‘x’ and ‘y’ axis