Unit One Geography: Its Nature and Perspectives PreAP Human Geography Unit One Geography: Its Nature and Perspectives

Key Concepts That Define Geography Location—the position of something on earth’s surface Space—the physical gap or distance between two objects

Key Concepts That Define Geography Scale—the relationship between the size of an object or distance between objects on a map and the size of the actual object or distance on earth’s surface

Key Concepts That Define Geography Place—a specific point on earth with human and physical characteristics

Key Concepts That Define Geography Pattern—the arrangement of objects on earth’s surface in relationship to one another

Key Concepts That Define Geography Regionalization—the organization of earth’s surface into distinct areas that are viewed as different from other areas Globalization—the expansion of economic, political, and cultural activities to the point that they reach and have impact on many areas of the world

WHAT IS SPATIAL ORGANIZATION? WHY DO SPATIAL PATTERNS OCCUR? Spatial organization is the location of places, people, and events, and the connections among places and landscapes. WHAT IS A LANDSCAPE? Landscape is the overall appearance of an area that is shaped by both human and natural influences. WHY DO SPATIAL PATTERNS OCCUR? Geographers believe that the “why of where” is critical! SPATIAL ORGANIZATION

All of these concepts help us to understand the importance of spatial organization.

Patterns and places The “why of where” explains why a spatial pattern occurs. Specific places become distinct from all other places when patterns occur. Often these patterns and places combine into regions. What are regions? Regions are large areas that may be compared to other large areas. Spatial organization defines human life on earth, with all of its similarities and differences.

Geography as a field of study

geography…the beginning Geography as a discipline was first given structure by the Greeks. Geo means “the earth.” Graphein means “to write.” The Greeks laid the foundation for cartography. Cartography is defined as “the art and science of map-making.”

Hecataeus’s Map of the World Maps around Greece were more accurate than maps of the rest of the world. The Greeks understood that the earth was round. Ptolemy, a Greek, estimated that the circumference of the earth was about 16,000 miles. He was about 9,000 miles short of reality, an assumption that led Columbus to believe that he was near Asia when he first landed in the Americas. Hecataeus’s Map of the World

Interest in Geography grew throughout the World WHO? Ancient Chinese Europeans during the Middle Ages Muslim scholars in the Middle East Geographers tended to be mostly concerned in practical knowledge of: Locations Places Products

The Rebirth of Geography 17th century Europe: Europeans broadly studied both physical landscapes and the roles that humans play in shaping them. Modern scientific study of geography Began in Germany Immanuel Kant defined geography as the “study of interrelated spatial patterns—the description and explanation of differences and similarities between one region and another.”

By the Turn of the 20th Century… Geography became a distinct discipline in European universities. Many sub-fields of geography started to emerge: Cultural Social Urban Population Economic Political Today, however, there are two main branches— physical and human geography.

What’s the difference? Focused on the natural environment Physical Geography Human Geography Focused on the natural environment Inextricably linked to the study of human geography Focused on people Who are they? How are they alike and different? How do they interact? How do they change the natural landscape and how do they use them?

What’s the difference? What are some of the topics studied? Physical Geography Human Geography What are some of the topics studied? landforms climate vegetation soils earth’s internal forces What are some of the topics studied? culture (folk and popular) agriculture and rural land use urban growth industrialization demographics (e.g. migration) politics economics

Some Famous Geographers

Eratosthenes Greek scholar 3rd century B.C.E. Accurately calculated the circumference of earth Used geometry to conclude the circumference of earth based on the distance between the two cities of Alexandria and Syene and the angle of the sun at each place

Ptolemy Greek scholar Lived 500 years after Eratosthenes Recalculated the circumference of Earth incorrectly (9000 miles short) His Guide to Geography included many maps Developed a global grid system that was a forerunner to our modern system of latitude and longitude

Idrisi Arab geographer 11th century Directed an academy of geographers Gathered data Consulted mariners and travelers Scientific expeditions His final map of the world was lost, but many partial maps have survived.

George Perkins Marsh American geographer 19th century Best known for his classic work, Man and Nature (1864) Focused work on impact of human actions on the natural environment Well known quote: “Conserve the earth, or live to pay the disastrous consequences.”

Carl Sauer Geographer from California 20th century Argued that cultural landscapes should be the main focus of geographic study His study is basic to environmental geography.

Key Points to Remember from this session… Concepts that define geography Location Space Scale Place Pattern Regionalization Globalization Patterns and places Spatial organization The “why of where” Geography as a field of study Cartography Immanuel Kant Sub-fields of geography Differences between physical and human geography Famous geographers Eratosthenes Ptolemy Idrisi George Perkins Marsh Carl Sauer

Advanced Placement Human Geography Unit One Geography: Its Nature and Perspectives

Key Geographical Skills

Using Maps to understand Spatial Perspective Location: Where is it? Absolute location Precise position of a place on the globe (e.g. latitude and longitude; other grid systems; street address) Important historical example: The U.S. Land Ordinance of 1785 (Much of the U.S. was divided into a system of townships to facilitate the sale of land in the West.)

Using Maps to understand Spatial Perspective Absolute location continued… Meridians and Parallels Meridian: an arc between the North and South Poles used to measure longitude The prime meridian is located at the observatory in Greenwich England at 0°. The meridian at the opposite side of the globe at 180° is called the International Date Line. Parallel: a circle drawn around the globe that is parallel to the equator; parallels measure latitude The equator is at 0° latitude.

Using Maps to understand Spatial Perspective Relative location: the location of a place in relation to other human and physical features on the landscape Compared to absolute location, it is subject to modification. An example is Samarkand.

Samarkand Relative location defines a place in terms of how central or isolated it is in relation to other places. Central Asia—13th century Samarkand lay on a major trade route called the Silk Road making the city central to Eurasian trade. The relative location changed when sea-based trade became faster and more efficient. Samarkand became a more isolated place. Absolute location remained the same, but relative location changed.

Use of Maps and Map Projections

Communications/Education Use of Maps Reference Material Communications/Education Efficient tools for storing information Show roads or waterways Show connections Used to explain spatial perspectives to others Thematic Examples: soil types; economic prosperity; spatial arrangements

Example of map used to communicate and educate

What is a Map Projection? Definition: A map projection is a way to represent the round earth on a flat surface. No map projection is as accurate as a globe!

Map Projections and Distortions Some distortions (inaccuracies) are evident in ALL map projections! Types of distortion: Distance Direction Shape Area Scale

Types of Map Projections Mercator Projection Designed in 1569 for a specific purpose—to navigate across the Atlantic Ocean between Europe and the Americas Perfect for “true” direction Distorts size of areas, particularly close to North and South Poles Types of Map Projections

Types of Map Projections Robinson Projection An attempt to balance all distortions by making errors in all four ways: shape, size, distance, and direction Good projection for general use; often found in classrooms

Types of Map Projections Peters Projection Introduced by historian and geographer Arno Peters Focuses on keeping land masses equal in area Shapes are distorted

Contour Maps Designed to show the nature of local topography (the natural land surface) Contour lines are drawn to represent a consistent height above sea level.

Scale

Scale Refers to the size of the unit studied The phenomena as it exists on different levels, from small to large Local, regional, or global scales Example: Mt. St. Helens, Washington (1980) * The eruption began as an immediate local concern for the immediate area (local scale). * Ash and volcanic flow eventually affected the region region (regional scale). * Volcanic matter eventually spread to other areas of the globe (global scale).

Scale Also refers to the mathematical relationship between the size of an area on a map and its actual size on earth’s surface. Examples: Fraction 1/24,000 (translation: 1 inch on the map = 24,000 inches on earth’s surface; both numerator and denominator must be the same unit of measurement) Ratio Example: 1:24,000 Note: The unit on the left refers to the distance on the map and the number on the right always refers to the same unit of distance on earth’s surface.

Scale Graphic/Bar Scale Verbal/written statement Safest to use because it will “shrink” or “grow” if the size of the map is altered when photocopied or scanned Verbal/written statement Example: 1 inch equals 1 mile Varies greatly if the size of the map is altered during photocopying or scanning

Small Scale maps v. Large Scale Maps Small scale maps show large areas.

Small Scale maps v. Large Scale Maps Large scale maps show small areas.

Local-Global Continuum We often separate scale into local, regional, and global levels. In reality, the levels interact in a local-global continuum, in which phenomenon at one level influence those at other levels.

Time Zones

Time Zones What is a time zone? A time zone is a region that has adopted the same standard time, usually referred to as the local time. Because the sun hits the earth at different times as it spins on its axis, time zones are meant to make time more uniform. Longitude plays an important role in calculating time. The earth is divided into 360 degrees of longitude.

Time Zones Lines of longitude are placed 15° apart, subdividing the earth into 24 sections. Time zones often follow lines of latitude. Neighboring zones are exactly one hour apart. Sometimes meridians stray and follow political borders. An example is China (one time zone).

Time zones Daylight Savings Time The clock is pushed ahead one hour in the spring. Clock is set back to the original time in the fall.

Time zones International Date Line Consequence of world time zones Satisfies the need for the date to change somewhere on earth Occurs at 180° longitude Divides the world from pole to pole through the Pacific Ocean

Solar Time Used before adoption of time zones Based on the position of the sun in the sky as the day progresses Became problematic once railways and communications connected people in different regions during the 19th century

Time Zones in U.S. (set in 1883) Pacific, Mountain, Central, and Eastern Standard Time Zones

Key Points to Remember from this session… Geographic Skills Location Absolute and relative location Historic examples Maps and Map Projections Reference materials Communication and/or education Types of map projections Scale Definition Types: Fraction Ratio Graphic/bar Verbal/written Small scale v. large scale Local-global continuum Time Zones Purpose Solar time

Advanced Placement Human Geography Unit One Geography: Its Nature and Perspectives Session 3

Interpretation of places and patterns

PLACE: The Geographic Term Place is deceptively complex. Place describes the unique location of a geographic feature. Each point on earth is different from all others. Place may be identified in four ways: Place name Site Situation Absolute location PLACE: The Geographic Term

Place Names Toponym is another term for a place name. Humans name places to distinguish them from other places, an action that helps to define the uniqueness of each place. Examples: Three Rivers (descriptive) Medicine Hat—Alberta (history) New Jersey (historical migration)

Site What is it? Site is the sum of physical and human- transformed characteristics of a place. Physical site characteristics include: Climate Topography Soil Water Resources Vegetation Elevation Humans transform sites to suit their needs so that the sites are part of the human mosaic, not the physical site itself.

Situation Situation refers to relative location. Situation is important in determining the centrality or isolation of a place. Situation helps us to find an unfamiliar place by comparing its location to a place that we know.

Absolute Location Mathematical location Use of parallels and meridians to determine location Absolute location is unique for every place on earth.

Patterns: The arrangement of things across earth’s surface ● A linear pattern: found along rivers, streets, or railroad tracks

Patterns: The arrangement of things across earth’s surface Centralized Pattern: found in many cities where houses and public buildings may circle around the mosque or house of worship

Patterns: The arrangement of things across earth’s surface Random pattern: no apparent regular distribution

Patterns: The arrangement of things across earth’s surface Rectilinear pattern: reflects a rectangular system of land survey adopted in much of the country under the Land Ordinance of 1785; towns laid out on a grid; checkerboard rural pattern

Regions and Regionalization

Regionalization: What is it ? Regionalization is the organization of earth’s surface into distinct areas that are viewed as different from other areas. Regionalization: What is it ?

Types of Regions Formal regions are also called uniform regions. Formal regions are similar in terms of one or a few physical or cultural features. Characteristics may be predominant but not universal. Examples: a state; an area in which Islam is the predominant religion

Types of Regions Functional regions are also called nodal regions. A functional region has a center that directs movement. A core area has distinct characteristics when there is movement toward the periphery. Examples: followers of a baseball team; broadcast area of a radio station

Types of Regions Perceptual Regions Perceptual regions are also called vernacular regions. Perceptual regions are places that people believe to exist as part of their cultural identity. Almost all human beings define their lives by thinking about perceptual regions.

Identify these types of regions… The broadcast area of a local television news station Functional/nodal An area in which the majority of people practice Islam Formal/uniform Your “hometown” Perceptual/vernacular The “Sunbelt” Regions identified by the U.S. Census Bureau for data collection

Interconnections among places

Places connect to form patterns. It’s all a matter of scale!

Globalization Globalization is the expansion of economic, political, and cultural activities to the point that they reach and have impact on many areas of the world. Critics: Globalization is a threat to regional and local uniqueness. Proponents: Local and regional uniqueness show few signs of disappearing. The world is a web of interconnected places.

Interconnectedness Time-space convergence Time-space compression results from the rapid increase in the use technology and transportation in the late 20th century. Time-space compression refers to the social and psychological effects of living in a world in which time-space convergence has rapidly reached a high level of intensity.

New Geographic Technologies

Geographic Information System (GIS) Captures, stores, analyzes, and displays data Data may be manipulated to create an image or map that is more accurate than anything drawn by hand Example: One layer may show soil composi- tion, another may show forest cover, and yet another may show a road system.

Global Positioning System (GPS) Uses a series of satellites, tracking stations, and receivers to determine absolute locations on earth Variety of uses such as mapping vegetation arrangements and even navigating airplanes and ships Recently used in automobiles to guide drivers

How Geographers work: Field and Census Data

Geography as a Career Teachers Government workers Largest employer: U.S. Census Bureau Environmental workers Consultants Architects Builders Politicians Transportation officials

Field-based Skills and Observations Ability to manipulate and interpret GIS Ability to use remote sensing data and GPS Cartography and computer mapping Data analysis and problem-solving

More than anything, geographic skills are based on careful observations of the world at different scales, a curiosity about why objects are where they are, and the desire to see the world through a geographer’s eyes.

Key Points to Remember from this session… Places and Patterns Toponyms Site Situation Absolute location Patterns Linear Centralized Random rectilinear Regions and Regionalization Definition Formal Functional Perceptual Examples of each type Interconnections Globalization Time-space convergence Time-space compression Geographic Technologies GIS GPS How Geographers Work Careers Field observations

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