Geography

What is Geography? Geography is the study of people, their environments, and the resources available to them. Scientific study of the earth’s surface –Topography –Climate –Natural resources

5 Themes of Geography Location Place Interaction between people and the environment Movement Region

Location Something or someone’s position on the earth’s surface Relative location –Location in comparison to another place Absolute location –Exact location –Latitude and Longitude…grid of numbered lines to identify exact location –Latitude measures north and south of the Equator Equator divides into North and South Hemispheres –Longitude measures east and west of the Prime Meridian Divides into East and West Hemispheres

Place Physical Characteristics –Landforms –Climate –Soil –Environment and Ecosystems Human Characteristics –Religion –Language –Culture

Interaction Between People and Environment People change the world around them –Clear land, plow fields, create tunnels, move earth. –Much of what we term as progress has involved changing the environment. –This results in hidden costs People adapt –Rather than change the environment, they change to live in that environment. –Change their way of life based on the resources available.

Movement Movement of people, goods, and ideas. Migration...large movement of people. Trade…movement of goods –Exports, imports Ideas spread…the movement of people and good results in the movement of ideas. Results in interdependence…dependence on goods, resources, and knowledge from other parts of the world.

CauseExampleEffect Environment Change Climate shift, depletion of resources, drought. Cultural diffusion, redistribution of population Economic Pressure Increasing population, unemployment Shifts in population Political or Religious persecution Slave Trade, War, ethnic cleansing Dislocation, oppression, spread of ideas TechnologyTools, agriculture, communication transportation Development of civilizations and empires

Regions A region is an area with a common characteristic. Physical Characteristics –Landforms, climate, waterways –Rocky Mountains, Rainforest regions, desert regions. Human Characteristics –Religion, cultural, economic, political –Examples... Muslim world. states are political regions. Regions can overlap and areas can be in many regions.

Terms Urban...city Urbanization...moving to cities Rural...country

Culture What is Culture?

Culture It is a pattern of living that people are expected to follow. Every person is born into an existing culture, which must be learned and which shapes one's life Simply...it is all the ways that people live

Culture = People…People = Culture A culture can not exist apart from people. –It affects governments, economic systems, art forms, music, literature, religion and customs. –Culture can dictate your profession In Germany music was very popular - therefore many great musicians came from there. (Beethoven, Bach, etc.)

Culture People display their culture in many ways: –Dress –Food –Language –Religion –Recreation –Rituals/holidays –Profession

Ethnocentrism Judging another culture and believing that yours is better because the other is different. –A lack of understanding and ignorance is key to this Throughout this course we must try to avoid being ethnocentric

Cultural Diffusion Blending of cultures –Some cultures blend together and form a new culture –Not always intentional

Geography and Culture Geography influences so many elements of lifestyle. –What we wear –What we eat –The type of job we may have As a result, culture is influenced greatly by geography.