Exploring the World Intro to Geography

8/21/13 Using the “Five Themes of Geography” worksheet we started yesterday, take five minutes and discuss them quietly (don’t give away answers to other groups yet) and ensure your paper is complete. Don’t forget a big part of this assignment was to think critically about the importance of the five themes in terms of studying geography. Be prepared to share your answers.

The Elements of Geography Location (the world in spatial terms) Places and Regions Physical Systems Human Systems (Movement) Human-Environment Interaction

The World in Spatial Terms Spatial relations refer to the links that places and people have to one another because of their locations. Location: a specific place on the earth (a reference point). Absolute location: the exact spot at which a place is found on the globe.

Absolute Location To determine absolute location, geographers use a network of imaginary lines around the earth. Equator: the line circling the earth midway between the North and South Poles.

Absolute Location The equator also divides the earth into hemispheres, or two halves (Northern and Southern).

Absolute Location Prime Meridian: the 0 degree north-south line that runs through Greenwich, England, and the 180 degree north-south line that runs through the mid-Pacific Ocean also divide the earth into hemispheres (Eastern and Western).

Absolute Location Grid system: the equator, the prime meridian, and other lines of latitude cross one another to form this pattern. Using this grid system, you can name the absolute, or precise, location. This location is generally stated in terms of latitude, degrees north or south of the Equator, and longitude, degrees east or west of the Prime Meridian. For example, Dallas, Texas, is located at latitude 32 degrees north and longitude 96 degrees west.

Grid System The grid plan, grid street plan or gridiron plan is a type of city plan in which streets run at right angles to each other, forming a grid. In the context of the culture of Ancient Rome, the grid plan was also a method of land measurement.

A Higher Level of Perspective Ever seen this view? Why does it look like this?

Relative Location Relative location: the location of a place in relation to other places. For example, North Dakota is located next to the Canadian border.

Places and Regions Place: a particular space with physical and human meaning. Every place on earth has its unique characteristics, determined by the surrounding environment and the people who live there. Regions: areas united by specific factors. These factors may include soil type, vegetation, river systems, climate, language, religion, cultural traditions, forms of government and trade networks.

Places and Regions Formal region: a region defined by a common characteristic, such as a product produced there. For example, the Corn Belt in the Iowa-Illinois area because corn is its major crop.

Places and Regions Functional region: a central place and the surrounding area linked to it. For example, by a highway system such as in Los Angeles or Tokyo. Perceptual region: a region defined by popular feelings and images rather than by objective data. For example, the term “heartland” refers to a central area in which traditional values are believed to predominate.

Physical Systems In their work geographers analyze how certain natural phenomena, such as volcanoes, hurricanes and floods, shape the earth’s surface. **The earth’s systems are endlessly fascinating and always changing.**

Physical Systems Ecosystem: a community of plants and animals that depend upon one another, and their surroundings, for survival.

Human Systems Geographers also examine how people shape the world—how they settle the earth, form societies, and create permanent features. A recurring theme in geography is the ongoing movement of people, goods, and ideas. For example, migrants entering a long established society usually bring different ideas and practices that may transform that society’s traditional culture.

Environment and Society Human-environment interaction: the study of the interrelationship between people and their physical environment. For example, geographers examine the ways people use their environment, how and why they have changed it, and what consequences result from these changes.

Rocking Out to the Five Themes! It’s time to get active and get out of your comfort zone – stand up and get into it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIqC79WrpKg

Homework  Find and list five songs that relate to the five themes of geography (one for each theme). Then explain why you chose the song you did for each theme. *For example, I might chose “Empire State of Mind” by Jay-Z to represent place because the song is about a specific place, New York City.

Exit Slip FRQ Time! Using complete sentences and proper grammar, address the following prompt. Using the five themes of geography, describe Oldham County.