© CSCOPE 2008 Introduction to World Geography

© CSCOPE 2008 Geography is the study of place and space: Geographers look at where things are and why they are there. Study of human activity, the natural environment, and the relationship between the two (human- environment interactions). What is Geography????

© CSCOPE 2008 Physical v. Cultural Geography Physical Geography is the study of the Natural Landscape of the Earth while Cultural Geography is the study of the Human Landscape of the Earth. Physical Geography Cultural Geography Rocks/Minerals Population/Settlements/Urbanizati on Landforms Economic and Political Systems Animal and Plant Life Transportation Soils Human Migration Atmosphere/Climate/Weather Social Systems EnvironmentRecreation Rivers/Oceans/Other bodies of Water Religion/Belief System

© CSCOPE 2008 What types of jobs do geographers have (in the U.S.)? Location Analysts, for: franchises (like “Burger King”) stores (like big department stores) public facilities (like new schools) Environmental Scientists and Consultants GIS (computer mapping) Urban and Regional Planners Real Estate and Residential Development Analysts Transportation and Tourism Planners and Analysts University and public school teachers

© CSCOPE 2008 Taxonomy: kingdom, phylum, Class, order, family, genus, species Biologists Geologists Geological time Historians Eras, ages, periods Geographers Geographic Regions CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS

© CSCOPE 2008 physical (natural) characteristicsphysical (natural) characteristics – landforms, climate, vegetation human (cultural) characteristicshuman (cultural) characteristics – language, religion, ethnicity, population GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS: What defines a region? Regions are based on Spatial Criteria

© CSCOPE 2008 Regions change over time.Regions change over time. Regions do not have definite borders, but rather are separated from other regions by transition zones.Regions do not have definite borders, but rather are separated from other regions by transition zones. MORE ON GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS:

© CSCOPE 2008 An area of change where borders of two adjacent regions joinAn area of change where borders of two adjacent regions join Marked by a gradual shift (rather than a sharp break) in the characteristics that distinguish neighboring realmsMarked by a gradual shift (rather than a sharp break) in the characteristics that distinguish neighboring realms TRANSITION ZONES

© CSCOPE 2008 Sub-classification of Regions Dominated by one political power: North America: U.S.North America: U.S. Middle America: MexicoMiddle America: Mexico South America: BrazilSouth America: Brazil Russian Realm: RussiaRussian Realm: Russia East Asia: ChinaEast Asia: China South Asia: IndiaSouth Asia: India Southeast Asia: IndonesiaSoutheast Asia: Indonesia Australian Realm: AustraliaAustralian Realm: Australia No dominant State EuropeEurope Sub-Saharan AfricaSub-Saharan Africa North Africa / Southwest AsiaNorth Africa / Southwest Asia Oceania (Pacific Realm)Oceania (Pacific Realm)

© CSCOPE 2008 Further classification of Regions based upon physical features and human characteristics.Further classification of Regions based upon physical features and human characteristics. Examples: The United States is in the North American Region. However, the U.S. has several sub-regions: Northeast, Midwest, South, etc. Region & Sub-region boundaries are based on criteria we establish.Region & Sub-region boundaries are based on criteria we establish. Criteria can be:Criteria can be:  Human (cultural) properties  Physical (natural) characteristics  or Both SUB-REGIONS

© CSCOPE 2008 Properties of Regions  Area  Boundaries  Location

© CSCOPE 2008 Marked by a certain degree of homogeneity in one or more phenomena. Limited number of characteristics.Marked by a certain degree of homogeneity in one or more phenomena. Limited number of characteristics. Example: Latin America, EuropeExample: Latin America, Europe FORMAL REGION

© CSCOPE 2008 A region marked less by its functional structure. Organized around a set of interactions and connections between places.A region marked less by its functional structure. Organized around a set of interactions and connections between places. FUNCTIONAL REGION Example: Metropolitan Area

© CSCOPE 2008 Perceptual Region Region in which people perceive the characteristics of the region in the same way. Example: American Midwest

© CSCOPE 2008 Maps and More Maps Types of maps and projectionsTypes of maps and projections –Physical maps –Cultural maps –Political maps –Population maps –And more.. Why do geographers use each type map?Why do geographers use each type map?

© CSCOPE 2008 The Grid System Latitude: Lines of latitude run horizontal around the globe or a map. They are designated as either North or South of the Equator.Latitude: Lines of latitude run horizontal around the globe or a map. They are designated as either North or South of the Equator. Longitude: Lines of longitude run vertically around the globe or map. They are designated as either West or East of the Prime Meridian.Longitude: Lines of longitude run vertically around the globe or map. They are designated as either West or East of the Prime Meridian.

© CSCOPE 2008 Geography means “description of the earth” and is also known as “the study of the earth as the home of humankind.” Four main goals for this class: (1) to understand important geographic problems and their potential solutions, (2) to become better able to make connections between different kinds of information as a means of understanding the world, (3) to understand current events, and (4) to develop skills in interpreting places and reading landscapes. SUMMARY

© CSCOPE 2008 SUMMARY Maps are the geographers’ most basic tools. To be able to use maps effectively, one must understand their basic language, especially the concepts and terms of scale, coordinate systems, projection, and symbolization. There are a variety of ways in which maps can depict spatial data.

© CSCOPE 2008 Basics of Geography Video 5C73-4E8A-B71F-3998AF9D161Ahttp://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=8575F2FB- 5C73-4E8A-B71F-3998AF9D161A