World Regional Geography Ohio Northern University Introduction

Roots of the discipline  Geo / graphy: “description of the earth.” a science that deals with the description, distribution, and interaction of the diverse physical, biological, and cultural features of the earth's surface study the location and distribution of features on the Earth’s surface.  Oldest of the sciences Oldest Herodotus: father of modern geography  “Historia” mid-fifth century BC Aristotle ( BC): physical geography Eratosthenes ( BC): measures Earth circumferenceEratosthenes Strabo (64 BC – AD 24): “Geographica” Ptolemy (~AD 150) early cartographer, map maker

What is a map? Mapmakers, also known as cartographers, use a variety of tools to make maps A map is defined as a representation, usually on a flat surface, of a whole or part of an area. The job of a map is to describe spatial relationships of specific features that the map aims to represent. There are many different types of maps that attempt to represent specific things.

Subfields within Geography

Basic Geographical Concepts  Location a)Absolute location (grid system)grid system latitude / parallel lines longitude / meridians b) Relative location Relative  Size, shape, and scale Size shapescale

Basic Geographical Concepts  Physical & cultural connections. Examples: El Nino, El Nino Colombia & cocaine,cocaine Columbus & Great Columbian ExchangeGreat Columbian Exchange The Potato

Basic Geographical Concepts  Spatial interaction: a. Distance: distance decay b. Accessibility c. Connectivity Europe as an example:Europe a. Complementarity b. Transferability c. No intervening opportunity European Union NATO

Characteristics of regions Regions have location(s) Regions have area  Formal regionsregions  Homogeneity (sameness) prominent  Boundaries not always clearBoundaries  Functional regions / spatial systems o system: set of objects & their mutual interaction o core / periphery relationships core / periphery