Many geographers use the six essential elements to organize their study.  1. The World in Spatial Terms  2. Places and Regions  3. Physical Systems  4. Human Systems  5. Environment and Society  6. Uses of Geography

 Geography is the study of the special physical and human characteristics of a place or region.  An important part of geography is the relationship between humans and their environment.  A geographer may study culture (or a learned system of shared beliefs, traits, and values).

 Geographers look at where things are on the Earth’s surface.  Changes in settlement patterns over time are also important.

 Geographers use many tools in their studies, including maps, charts, and graphs. They also use field notes, interviews, photographs, reference books, and videos  High-tech tools such as satellites provide detailed images of the Earth  Computer databases, like Geographic Information Systems, (GIS) store huge amounts of data. Satellite image of Texas, Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico

It also tells us where this place is in relation to other places?  Absolute Location: The exact latitude and longitude or address of a place. (1234 Huntington Lane)  Relative Location: The location of a place in relationship to other locations (around the corner from Krogers)

-measure distance north or south of Equator 1. Equator = 0* (divides earth into northern & southern hemispheres) 2. Poles = 90* N or S 3. Tropics = 23 ½* N or S 4. Circles = 66 ½* N or S

-measure distance east or west of the Prime Meridian 1. Prime Meridian = 0* -former site of Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England 2. International Date Line = 180* E

-Earth takes 24 hours to rotate, & it is divided into 24 parts for keeping time (time zones) *Each time zone = about 1,000 miles E to W at the Equator. *When you cross a time zone going east, then you set your watch ahead one hour. *When you cross a time zone going west, then you set your watch back one hour.

*every map projection stretches or breaks the curved surface of Earth in some way as it is flattened *distance, direction, shape, or area may be distorted *Describe the negative and positive attributes of the following maps:

The acronym TODALSIGSs defines nine essential elements to help map users get the most information from a map.

-first thing you should look at

-refers to directions -shown by compass rose (Or Star) *cardinal directions = N, S, E, & W * intermediate directions = NW, NE, SW, & SE

-date helps us judge accuracy of the map -date usually down here too

-list that explains symbols in the map

-shows relationship between map measurements and actual distances

-alphabetical list of places shown on a gridded map or set of maps (gives addresses of places listed)

-set of intersecting lines (parallels and meridians)

-used if information not obtained by direct experience or observation -identifies places or features that border the area depicted on a map  If you were looking at a map of the US, you would see Canada and Mexico labeled, but you may not see any detail at all.

1. small scale maps -large area with little/small detail

2. large scale maps -small area with great/large detail

1. Physical Maps – show topography (shape) of earth’s physical features 2. Political Maps – show boundaries between countries WE WILL TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT DIFFERENT GENERAL AND SPECIAL PURPOSE MAPS LATER ON.

 A place has physical and human characteristics that make it special.  Physical characteristics include animal and plant life, sources of water, climate and weather, landforms and soils. Palo Duro Canyon

 Landforms are the natural shapes on the Earth’s surface, such as mountains, hills, and valleys.  Bodies of water are also considered “physical features” and can have a major impact on a “place”. Enchanted Rock State Park

 Human characteristics include ethnicity, language, political and economic systems, population distribution, religion and standard of living. Regions in Texas

Places and Regions:  Think of your favorite city, state, or country.  Describe it.  How have the physical characteristics of this place influenced the people there?

 Defined as an area of the earth’s surface with similar characteristics.

 A region is an area with common characteristics that make it different from surrounding areas.  A formal region has one or more shared characteristics, such as plant life or can be cultural, economic or political.  Countries, states and cities are examples of formal political regions. Downtown Dallas

 A functional region is made up of different places that function together as a unit…such as a metropolitan area such as Dallas-Ft. Worth or Houston-Galveston.  Perceptual regions are defined by people’s shared attitudes, culture and feelings about an area. Central Texas and the Panhandle have vague borders. The Cadillac Ranch Amarillo, Texas The Texas Panhandle

 Formal- Defined by a common characteristic ◦ The Corn Belt in Iowa/Illinois area ◦ GULF COAST REGION (areas touching Gulf of Mexico)  Functional- A region organized around a set of interactions and connection between places.  Usually characterized by a hub, or central place, and links to the central place  a city and its suburbs(share media sources like TV and newspapers, transportation, common “bonding” features, etc.

 Perceptual/vernacular- Regions in which people perceive or see the characteristics of the region in the same way. It is linked together by popular feelings and/or images rather than by objective data ◦ The “Bible Belt” in southeastern states in the US (people are mostly Protestant and have been known to carry Bibles around) ◦ The “heartland” / central area in which traditional values are believed to predominate in the US. ◦ Middle East- There is no true “definition” of what makes up the actual boundary of this area. ◦ Tornado Alley

 Geographers study the physical processes and interactions among four physical systems – Earth’s atmosphere, land, water and life.  Physical processes shape and change Earth’s physical features and environments.  Climate and weather affect humans.

 An ecosystem is all of an area’s plants and animals together with the nonliving parts of their environment.  Earth is the largest ecosystem.  Natural events and human activity can change ecosystems.  Studying physical processes and ecosystems is important because the environment is the setting for all life on Earth.