What is CULTURE? What are its elements? How is it transferred? How does it affect the landscapes of the world?

What is CULTURE? Culture is learned behavior that is passed on by imitation, instruction, and example. Culture is almost entirely relative. Proper behavior shifts from culture to culture. U.S. current problems: 1) little shared culture 2) no one is teaching culture. For example: sex education - Home? School? Note: experiencing another culture is useful for gaining perspective on your own. Candidate for harshest punishment in history? Banishment in so-called “primitive” cultures.

Geographic Importance of Culture Geographers study culture because it leaves dramatic imprints on the earth, both physical and cultural. Language: a crystal ball into culture. Religion: strongest determinant of ethics. Nationalism and Borders Material Culture: tools, clothes, toys, etc. Architecture: Suburban garages vs. earlier porches

Culture Complex Culture traits: Object Techique Belief Attitude Cultural Traits that are Functionally interrelated

What kinds of cultural values are reflected in each of these American houses? Gated community?

Diffusion Cultural Similarities occur by spatial spread from 1 or a few sites Relocation Expansion Hierarchical Contagious Stimulus

Tobler’s 1st Law of Geography All things are related. However, all other things being equal, those things that are closest together are more related. Related Concepts: Distance Decay Friction of Distance

in London’s Soho District Spatial distribution What processes create and sustain the pattern of a distribution? Map of Cholera Victims in London’s Soho District in 1854. The patterns of victim’s homes and water pump locations helped uncover the source of the disease.

Acculturation/Transculturation Ac: As immigrant populations take on values, attitudes, customs, and speech of receiving society, which itself undergoes change from absorption of the arriving grp. Trans: 2 way flow reflects a more equal exchange of cult outlooks and ways of life

Cultural Landscape Revisited Environmental Determinism: environment is primary determinant of culture. Possibilism: humans are primary determinant of culture.

Environmentally Determined? N.Y.C. Environmentally Determined?

What about Bali, Indonesia?

Where are we. What values are reflected in each Where are we? What values are reflected in each? What relation to physical environment?

Timber House, Switzerland Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey Yurt on Mongolian Steppe Suburban Home, Chicago

Key Concepts: Core-Periphery Core (Devoloped Countries ) U.S., Europe, Japan, Australia Wealthy Powerful Control Media and Finance Technologically advanced Periphery (Less Developed Countries) Poor Dependent upon Core countries for: Education Technology Media Military Equipment Financing

Key Concepts: Core-Periphery

1994 U.S. Stats Population: 292 million Population density: 29 people per sq. km. Total fertility rate: 2.0 children per woman Population doubling time: 116 years Percentage urban/rural: 78% urban, 22% rural Per capita energy use: 8,148 kg. oil equivalent Infant mortality: 6.7 deaths per 1,000 births Life expectancy: 74 (male), 80 (female) Adult illiteracy: 3% (male), 3% (female) Internet users: 165 million All of the possessions of a statistically avearge U.S. family. Photograph by Peter Menzel.

1994 India Stats Population: 1 1994 India Stats Population: 1.0 billion Population density: 318 people per sq. km. Total fertility rate: 3.0 children per woman Population doubling time: 36 years Percentage urban/rural: 28% urban, 72% rural Per capita energy use: 494 kg. oil equivalent Infant mortality: 66 deaths per 1,000 births Life expectancy: 62 (male), 64 (female) Adult illiteracy: 32% (male), 55% (female) Internet users: 7 million All of the possessions of a statistically average Indian family. Photograph by Peter Menzel.

1994 Japan Stats Population: 128 million Population density: 336 people per sq. km. Total fertility rate: 1.3 children per woman Population doubling time: 289 years Percentage urban/rural: 79% urban, 21% rural Per capita energy use: 4,316 kg. oil equivalent Infant mortality: 3 deaths per 1,000 births Life expectancy: 78 (male), 85 (female) Adult illiteracy: 1% (male), 1% (female) Internet users: 56 million All of the possessions of a statistically average Japanese family. Photograph by Peter Menzel.

1994 Mali Stats Population: 12 million Population density: 9 1994 Mali Stats Population: 12 million Population density: 9.1 people per sq. km. Total fertility rate: 7.0 children per woman Population doubling time: 23 years Percentage urban/rural: 26% urban, 64% rural Per capita energy use: 22 kg. oil equivalent Infant mortality: 118.7 deaths per 1,000 births Life expectancy: 48 (male), 49 (female) Adult illiteracy: 64% (male), 84% (female) Internet users: 30,000 All of the possessions of a statistically average Malian family. Photograph by Peter Menzel.

Globalization The increasing interconnectedness of different parts of the world through common processes of economic, political, and cultural change. The economic, cultural, and environmental effects of globalization are highly contested. Panama, 1997

Steamship Routes, Circa 1900 End of Slides Steamship Routes, Circa 1900

OneWorld Alliance Direct LAX Flight Map, 2010 End of Slides OneWorld Alliance Direct LAX Flight Map, 2010