Introduction to Geography

ge·og·ra·phy 1 : a science that deals with the description, distribution, and interaction of the diverse physical, biological, and cultural features of the earth's surface Source-Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary

Geography is… Geography is the study of the world spatially Geography is how and why we use the space around us and how that space shapes us In other words: Geography is the study of earth and everything on it.

The Five Themes of Geography 1. Location 2. Place 3. Human-Environment Interaction 4. Movement 5. Region

1. Location Every place on earth has a location Absolute  The exact spot on Earth where something is found  Ex: Latitude and Longitude, Addresses Relative  The location of something in relation to something else.  Described by landmarks, time, direction or distance. From one place to another.  Ex: Burke is west of Central, Room 109 is to the right of room 107  Omaha is on the Missouri River

Latitude Lines are parallel Lines measure degrees north and south of the Equator Equator - 0  North Pole - 90  N South Pole – 90  S

Longitude All lines meet at the Poles Lines measure degrees East or West (0   ) of the Prime Meridian which is located in Greenwich, England

It is written… It should always be written latitude first and then longitude!  41 o N and 96 o W = Omaha

Latitude and Longitude Practice 1.Cape Town, South Africa 2.Mexico City, Mexico 3.Omaha, NE 4.Philadelphia, PA 5.Cairo, Egypt 6.Hong Kong 7.Paris, France 8.Ho Chi Mihn City, Vietnam 1.56˚N, 13˚E pg ˚S, 151˚E pg ˚N, 82˚W pg ˚S, 77˚W pg °N, 3°E pg °S, 39°E pg °N, 38°E pg °N, 73°E pg.122

2. Place Place refers to how an area is described  Human  A way of describing a place based on the human characteristics found there  Including: People, Culture, Ideas  Physical  A way of describing place based on the physical characteristics found there  Including: Weather, Animal Life, Plant Life, Land Features

2. PLACE: What is it like? Human Characteristics  Bridges, roads, buildings, culture, languages, beliefs.  All places have features that distinguish them from other places.

2. PLACE: What is it like? Physical Characteristics  Landforms (mountains, plains, etc.), bodies of water (oceans, lakes, bays, etc.), ecosystems (soil, plants, animals, and climate)

3. HUMAN-ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION How do people interact with and change their environment?  We depend on the environment.  Ex. People depend on rivers for water and transportation.  We adapt to the environment.  Ex. We adapt to the environment by wearing clothing suitable for summer (shorts) and winter (coats), rain and shine.  We modify the environment.  Ex. People modify their environment by heating and cooling buildings for comfort.

3. Human-Environment Interaction (HEI) T.I.P.S. What is the HEI in Omaha Nebraska?  How do we depend on, adapt, or modify the environment around us?

People, Goods, and Ideas that are transported from one place to another  Clothes  Food  Immigration  Disease Movement

MOVEMENT CONTINUED… How are people and places linked by communication and the flow of people, products and information/ideas?  Movement of People  Cars, Trucks, Trains, Planes  Movement of Products  Cars, Trucks, Trains, Planes  Movement of Information/ideas  Phones, computer ( ), mail  TV, Radio, Magazines

Region An area defined by common characteristics  Climate – Desert, Rainforest, Tornado Alley  Culture – Bible Belt, Rust Belt  Political – Western Europe vs. Eastern Europe

MORE ON REGIONS What are regions and how are they useful?  Regions can be defined on the basis of physical and human characteristics  Geographers divide the world into regions to help them interpret information.

5 THEMES OF GEOGRAPHY WRITING USING COMPLETE SENTENCES DISCUSS OMAHA IN RELATION TO THE 5 THEMES OF GEOGRAPHY.  `Remember MR. HELP