G EOGRAPHIC I SSUES OF THE T WENTY - FIRST C ENTURY Geography 20F

I NTRODUCING THE S TUDY OF G EOGRAPHY ‘Geo’ means earth ‘graphy’ means to study or describe What, about the earth, is being described or studied? Physical and human features Physical: landscape and environment Human: cultures, societies, economies Geography, therefore, is the study of Earth’s landscapes, peoples, places and environments. It is, quite simply, about the world in which we live.

Geography puts this understanding of the physical and human dynamics within the context of places and regions around the world Newer developments in human geography focus on understanding the causes of differences and inequalities between places and social groups.

P HYSICAL G EOGRAPHY Cartography (mapmaking) Climatology and meteorology (weather) Geomorphology The study of surface landforms and the processes that make them Pedology The study of soil (types, distribution, formation of) Hydrology Study of water resources and distribution Biogeography The study of plant and animal life (botany, zoology, entomology)

H UMAN G EOGRAPHY Anthropology Study of humans past and present (culture, religion, social traditions, etc.) Demography Settlement patterns Population trends Urbanization Economic activities and globalization Industry agriculture, fishing, logging, manufacturing, construction, services Tourism and recreation Transportation

G EOGRAPHY INFORMS US ABOUT : The places and communities in which we live and work Our natural environments and the pressures they face The interconnectedness of the world and our communities within it How and why the world is changing, globally and locally How our individual and societal actions contribute to those changes The choices that exist in managing our world for the future The importance of location in business and decision making

Q UESTIONS TO A NSWER ( PAIRS / GROUPS ) What do you think a Geographer does all day? (Geographer job description) What do already know about geography? What are you interested to learn more about? Why?

G EOGRAPHER JOB DESCRIPTION Gather geographic data through field observations, maps, photographs, satellite imagery, and censuses Conduct research, using methods such as surveys and interviews Create and modify maps and graphs Analyze human culture and geography Use geographic information systems (GIS) to collect data Write reports and present research findings Combine geographic data with data pertaining to a particular specialty, such as economics, the environment, health, or politics Geographers use several technologies in their work, such as GIS, remote sensing, and global positioning systems (GPS). They use the maps to guide governments, businesses, and the general public on a variety of issues, such as developing marketing strategies; planning homes, roads, and landfills; and responding to disasters. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

A CTIVITY : MENTAL MAP OF C ANADA Using a blank piece of paper, draw and label a map of Canada from memory. No cellphones or atlases! Include as much as you can remember: Provinces Main cities Water bodies Land features

A CTIVITY : YOU BE THE GEOGRAPHER ! Using an outline of a map of Canada, label the following (page 4 in textbook) 1. Provinces and territories 2. National, provincial, and territorial capitals 3. Additional cities: (as listed on handout) 4. Lakes: each of the Great Lakes, Winnipeg, Great Slave, Great Bear 5. Rivers: Fraser, Mackenzie, Saskatchewan, St. Lawrence, and Ottawa 6. Large water bodies: Pacific, Atlantic, Arctic oceans, Hudson Bay, Gulf of St. Lawrence 7. Neighbors: the United States including Alaska, and Greenland. Feel free to use an atlas! I will “check” your name off once completed. Keep this map for future reference and assignments!