Unit 1: Geography and Human Origins Geography is the study of the Earth and its features. It also studies human life and the effects of human activity. Geographic features have a huge impact on where and how people live. Relationships to climate, water, landforms, and mineral deposits shape how people live and act towards others

Terms To Know 1.Human Geography – examines human life and effects of human activity. 2. Physical Geography – study of landforms (mountains, islands, etc.), climate, water, location, and mineral resources. 3. Political Geography – studies regions and other groupings of people including tribes, ethnic groups, religious groups, and nation states. 4. Migration – examines the movement of humans from one area to another and what influenced the movement 5. Trade – movement of goods and services from place to place to meet human needs

Geographic Terms to Know Hemisphere – the northern and southern half of the Earth is divided by the equator and the eastern and western half is divided by the prime meridian Continent – principal land masses – know the SEVEN – North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, Antarctica Ocean – divisions of the Earth’s salt water surface – know – Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and the Arctic

Rivers Important avenue for transportation, commerce, and cultural diffusion. Rivers are also important for getting water to crops (irrigation). Rivers may also flood which may be good for crops, but can also destroy homes and communities.

The Nile River The longest river in the world located in Egypt. It’s annual floods help farmers and led to the rise of one of the earliest civilizations. Parts of the Nile are also dangerous because of crocodiles and waterfalls.

Mountains Mountain ranges can protect civilizations from invasion due to their height and difficulty to cross. Mountains can also isolate people and lead to an ethnocentric culture (you believe your culture is the best and are ignorant of others). Ex. Himalayas – separate India from the rest of Asia

Deserts Large areas of sand. Deserts are dry (arid) and hot. It is very difficult to grow crops and vegetation is limited. Deserts also isolate and protect civilizations because it is difficult to travel and trade. Ex. Sahara Desert in Africa – largest in the world. It is the size of the continental United States!!

Plateau A large area of high land that usually is covered by plains and flat terrain. Ex. Deccan Plateau in India – contains mineral resources and most of the Indian population lives on the edge of it in river valleys with heavy rain.

Plains An extensive, level, usually treeless area of land. Savannas in Africa and the Pampas in Central and South America are plains. The plains can be a good place to raise crops and animals.

Sea A relatively large area of salt water completely or partially enclosed by land. Ex. Mediterranean Sea – located between Africa, Europe, and Asia – major artery of trade, transportation, and cultural diffusion.

Peninsula A piece of land that projects into a body of water. Ex. Korea (Country in Asia) is a peninsula surrounded by the Sea of Japan, the Yellow Sea, and the Korea Bay and Strait.

Regions of the World - unified by physical or human characteristics such as language, culture, economic activity, or a political system.

The main directions we use are called cardinal directions and they are north (N), south (S), east (E), and west (W).  On most maps, north is at the top.  South is at the bottom.  East is on the right.  West is on the left. The compass rose shows us the in between directions.  They are called intermediate directions.         NE means northeast         SE means southeast         SW means southwest         NW means northwest The compass rose shows us the in between directions.  They are called intermediate directions.         NE means northeast         SE means southeast         SW means southwest         NW means northwest

Know the difference! LATITUDE Lines on a map or globe running east and west LONGITUDE Lines on a map or globe running north and south

The Equator The equator is located at 0 degrees latitude. It is 24,901.55 miles (40,075.16km) long. The equator divides the planet into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Prime Meridian The lines of longitude divide the earth into Eastern and Western hemispheres. The Prime Meridian divides the world into eastern and western hemispheres.

The Geography of Rochester How does the geography of Rochester impact the way we live?