Intro to Geography and Culture

Why do we study geography?

What is Geography? Geography is the study of people, their environments, and the resources available to them. Scientific study of the earth’s surface Topography  Natural and artificial physical features of an area. Climate Natural resources 5 Themes of Geography Location Place Interaction between people and the environment Movement Region

Location Something or someone’s position on the earth’s surface Relative location Location in comparison to another place Absolute location Exact location What is an example of each? Latitude and Longitude…grid of numbered lines to identify exact location Latitude measures north and south of the Equator Equator divides into North and South Hemispheres Longitude measures east and west of the Prime Meridian Divides into East and West Hemispheres

Place Identifies natural and human features that make one place different from other places Physical Characteristics(Natural) Landforms, climate, waterways Rocky Mountains, Rainforest regions, desert regions. Human Characteristics(Man-made) Religion, cultural, economic, political Examples... Muslim, Christian, Jewish world. States in the United States. Regions can overlap and areas can be in many regions.

Ticket out the door What is the difference between longitude and latitude?

Interaction Between People and Environment People change the world around them Clear land, plow fields, create tunnels, move earth. Much of what we term as progress has involved changing the environment. This results in hidden costs People adapt Rather than change the environment, they change to live in that environment. Change their way of life based on the resources available.

Adaptation Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCKRjP_DMII

Movement Movement of people, goods, and ideas. Migration movement of people. Trade…movement of goods Exports, imports Ideas spread the movement of people and good results in the movement of ideas. Results in interdependence…dependence on goods, resources, and knowledge from other parts of the world.

Culture What is culture?

Culture Is a pattern of living that people are expected to follow, it is all the ways that people live Every person is born into an existing culture, which must be learned and which shapes one's life Culture = People…People = Culture**************** A culture can not exist apart from people. It affects governments, economic systems, art forms, music, literature, religion and customs. Culture can dictate your profession In Germany music was very popular - therefore many great musicians came from there. (Beethoven, Bach, etc.)

Culture People display their culture in many ways: Dress Food Language Religion Recreation Rituals/holidays Profession

Spreading of Cultures Judging another culture and believing that yours is better because the other is different. A lack of understanding and ignorance is key to this Throughout this course we must try to avoid being ethnocentric Cultural Diffusion blending of cultures Some cultures blend together and form a new culture Not always intentional

Cultural Diffusion Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ry1E1uzPSU0

What is one way that culture impacts your life?

Geography and Culture Geography influences so many elements of lifestyle. What we wear What we eat The type of job we may have As a result, culture is influenced greatly by geography.

Primary vs Secondary Sources A primary source is a document which was written or created during at the time… they were there! (diaries, letters, speeches) A secondary source interprets and analyzes primary sources. These sources are one or more steps removed from the event… they weren’t there! (textbooks, magazine articles, encyclopedias)

Themes in Global History Power: Who’s in charge & why? Religion & Philosophy: How is human behavior guided by different religions & philosophies? Revolutions: Technological & political revolutions have completely altered human history Cultural Interaction: has led to great empires, wars, & technological achievements. Empires: Throughout history, powerful empires have dominated many parts of the world. Technology: From the Neolithic Revolution (the invention of farming) to the internet, technology has changed the course of human history.

WHY DO WE STUDY HISTORY?