Introduction to HUMAN GEOGRAPHY We live on a huge planet but we have to share it with over 7 billion other people. The Earth’s area should be sufficient to comfortably support us all yet only a small percentage of it is considered inhabitable or hospitable and there is great inequity when it comes to how we all live. Here we already present some clear problems. These problems lead to countless other problems that we must cope with each day of our lives: parts of the Earth are too cold to live on. Other areas are prone to potentially fatal diseases. Political tensions force some to flee their homelands and move elsewhere. These people subsequently put stress on the population of the country or city where they move to. Residents of some countries must guard against hurricane threats while residents of others face constant famine.

Introduction to HUMAN GEOGRAPHY The fairly new concept of globalization adds to the complexity of the planet. This term refers to the idea that the world is becoming increasingly homogenized, not only economically but also politically and culturally. It is both a result and a cause of an ever-increasing connectedness of places and people. We live in a complex world and we must live in such a way that we are sensitive to not only our own situations but also the situations of our ‘neighbors’ around the globe. Fortunately, we live in a relatively safe and certainly advanced country. This places us in the unique position of being able to help these neighbors who may not be as fortunate as ourselves. By educating ourselves about the stresses on our planet and its people, perhaps we may be more inclined to become involved and make a difference during our time here.

Introduction to HUMAN GEOGRAPHY Our goal in human geography, I suggest, should be to develop appreciation of the great variety of cultures that comprise the contemporary world, and to show how, in each society, these cultures have evolved – and are evolving – as specific responses to environment, to place and to people.

THE FIVE THEMES OF GEOGRAPHY LOCATION, LOCATION… Every point on earth has a specific location determined by an imaginary grid (latitude & longitude) Location can refer to an exact or absolute location Location can also refer to a relative location Answers the question… Where is it??? Absolute location - 80°N 17˚W - 510 King St. N Relative location – west of the Pacific Plate - ‘across from the church’

THE FIVE THEMES OF GEOGRAPHY Place… Describes places by their physical & human characteristics Human characteristics include: land use, transportation, languages, religion, etc… Physical characteristics include: landforms, vegetation, soils, etc… Answers the question… What’s it like there???

THE FIVE THEMES OF GEOGRAPHY Human – Environment Interaction Our interaction with, impact on and response to our environment The environment means different things to different people (dependent on factors such as culture, technological resources, etc…) The effects can be positive and/or negative… ex. Construction of Hoover Dam on the Colorado River created a reservoir for water use but also changed sediment deposits downstream. Answers the question… How do people relate to the physical world?

THE FIVE THEMES OF GEOGRAPHY Movement… People interact with other people, places and things almost everyday of their lives Made much more efficient and possible through technology and globalization It includes the movement of people, products, services, ideas and information Answers the question… How do people, goods and ideas move from one location to another?

THE FIVE THEMES OF GEOGRAPHY Region… The basic unit of geographic study (and the toughest one to often identify) is a region A region is…an area on the earth’s surface that has certain common characteristics Examples include political areas (cities) physical areas (desert) human areas (cultural) Answers the question… How are places similar or different?