Chapter 1 Looking at the Earth

What is geography? the study of the distribution and interaction of physical and human features on the earth the study of the distribution and interaction of physical and human features on the earth OR…the way the earth looks, how it is made, and how people react to it. OR…the way the earth looks, how it is made, and how people react to it.

The Five Themes of Geography Location Place Region Movement Human-Environment Interaction

Location: Where is it? Geographers often use tools like maps to determine absolute location. hemispheres On maps, the Earth is divided into hemispheres, which make up halves of the Earth (diagram on p. 6). hemispheres is a place’s exact location on Earth. Absolute location…

Location: Latitude Earth Imaginary horizontal lines going North and South The Equator (0°) is an important latitude line. It separates the Northern Hemisphere from the Southern. N 0° S

Location: Longitude Earth Imaginary vertical lines going East and West An important line of longitude is the Prime Meridian, or 0°. It separates the Eastern Hemisphere from the Western Hemisphere. W 0° E

 Using latitude and longitude is just like plotting a point in math. X Y 45 W 30 W 15 W 0 15 E 30 E 45 E 30 N 30 S 15 S 0 15 N Equator Prime Meridian (1,1) 30 E, 15 N

Relative location… is a place’s location in reference to other things. My house is across the street from Kroger. Location Kroger

Place: What is it like? Includes physical features (mountains, weather) and cultural characteristics Includes physical features (mountains, weather) and cultural characteristics Because people change, the description of a place may change over time. Because people change, the description of a place may change over time.

Region: How are places similar or different? Regions are areas that have similarities, either of physical features or ideas, like politics. Regions are areas that have similarities, either of physical features or ideas, like politics. Places can be in different types of regions. Just like people, they do not always fit in just one box! Places can be in different types of regions. Just like people, they do not always fit in just one box! Geographers use three different regions: formal, functional, and perceptual. Geographers use three different regions: formal, functional, and perceptual.

Formal Region An area sharing a limited number of similarities in climate, culture, etc. An area sharing a limited number of similarities in climate, culture, etc. Examples: U.S.A and Canada, Latin America, South Asia Examples: U.S.A and Canada, Latin America, South Asia Most regions in this course will be either by continent or culture

Functional Regions Made up of places that have strong connections and interact frequently Made up of places that have strong connections and interact frequently Example: the Metroplex. Do your parents work in Dallas? Picture by flickrflickr

Perceptual Regions  People perceive the characteristics of region in the same way The South: what is similar here that is different from other places?

How do people relate to physical world? Human-Environment Interaction: How do people relate to physical world? Learn to use what the land/sea offers them Learn to use what the land/sea offers them Change land/sea to meet their needs Change land/sea to meet their needs

Human-Environment Interaction Adapt to certain aspects of environment Adapt to certain aspects of environment People respond to same environment in different ways People respond to same environment in different ways

Movement: How do people, goods, and ideas move from one location to the other? Linear Distance Linear Distance How far away something is in miles, etc.How far away something is in miles, etc.

Movement Time Distance Time Distance Amount of time it takes to travelAmount of time it takes to travel

Psychological Distance Psychological Distance Way people view distance (Didn’t it take FOREVER to get somewhere when you were little?)Way people view distance (Didn’t it take FOREVER to get somewhere when you were little?)

The Geographer’s Tools Maps, globes, and data Maps, globes, and data 3 kinds of maps 3 kinds of maps General reference mapGeneral reference map Thematic mapThematic map Navigation mapNavigation map

Thematic and Navigational Maps Thematic maps emphasize specific kinds of information, such as climate or population density. Thematic maps emphasize specific kinds of information, such as climate or population density. Thematic maps Thematic maps Navigational maps are used by sailors and pilots. Navigational maps are used by sailors and pilots. Navigational maps Navigational maps

Topographic Maps Known as a general reference map Known as a general reference map Definition: representation of natural and man-made features on earth Definition: representation of natural and man-made features on earth They are drawn to seem 3- dimensional They are drawn to seem 3- dimensional

Map Essentials Title (so you know what the map represents) Title (so you know what the map represents) Compass Rose (depicts direction) Compass Rose (depicts direction) Lines of latitude and longitude Lines of latitude and longitude Scale (shows how big the actual area is) Scale (shows how big the actual area is) Labels (names features/countries on a map) Labels (names features/countries on a map)

Map Extras Legend: explains symbols and colors (ESSENTIAL for topographic maps) Legend: explains symbols and colors (ESSENTIAL for topographic maps) Colors: represent information; what they represent must be in the legend Colors: represent information; what they represent must be in the legend Colors: Symbols: also represent information, but usually in picture form Symbols: also represent information, but usually in picture form Symbols: