Introduction to Geography ADEGOKE ADEMILUYI, PhD Professor of Geography Fayetteville state University

GEOGRAPHY: A FUNDAMENTAL DISCIPLINE PART 1 GENERAL INTRO

Overview The Nature of Geography Evolution of the Discipline Location, Direction, & Distance Physical & Cultural Attributes Places Regions Geography Themes & Standards Geography Careers

The Nature of Geography Geography as the spatial science The study of spatial variation How & why things differ from place to place on the surface of the earth

Spatial Essential modifier Meaning “Spatial behavior” “Spatial process” Meaning The way things are distributed The way movements occur The way processes operate over the whole or part of the earth’s surface

Evolution of the Discipline Ancient Greeks & Romans Eratosthenes Strabo Herodotus Ptolemy Middle Ages Muslim & Chinese scholars Modern Geography

Subfields of Geography Spatial Variation of a. Physical (geography) implies natural objects or phenomena: i. Mountains,hills valleys(geomorphology ii. Climates and weather iii. Vegetation, flora & fauna Human Phenomena i. Popualation ii Urbanization iii cultural

Subfields of Geography Spatial systems Regional Analysis Geographic methods and techniques

Location Absolute Location Relative Location Mathematical location Latitude & longitude Other grid systems Relative Location Spatial interconnection & interdependence

Site & Situation Site Situation The physical & cultural characteristics & attributes of the place itself Situation The external relations of a locale

Direction Absolute Direction Relative Direction Cardinal points (N,S,E,&W) Relative Direction “Out West” “Back East”

Distance Absolute Distance Relative Distance Standard units such as miles or kilometers Relative Distance Time “20 minutes from here”

Physical & Cultural Attributes Physical Attributes Climate, soil, water supply, mineral resources, terrain features “natural landscape” Cultural Attributes Language, religion, agricultural patterns, food, music “cultural landscape”

Places Attributes of places are always changing Interrelations between places Accessibility Connectivity Spatial diffusion Globalization

Regions Areas of spatial similarity Formal Regions Functional Regions Uniformity in one or a limited number of related physical or cultural features “Columbia Plateau” or “The Corn Belt” Functional Regions A spatial system Trade areas or transportation networks

Geography Themes & Standards Five Fundamental Themes National Standards Four Traditions

Five Fundamental Themes Location Place Relationships within places Movement Regions

National Standards The World in Spatial Terms Places & Regions Physical Systems Human Systems Environment & Society The Uses of Geography

Four Traditions Earth-Science Tradition Culture-Environment Tradition Locational (or Spatial) Tradition Area Analysis (or Regional) Tradition

Careers in Geography Can you get a job with a geography degree? Where? Yes. Where? Government, nongovernmental organizations, public sector such as planning, business planning & analysis GIS