Geography102 Ptolemy’s First World Map, c. AD 150

What is Geography? Geography is a representation of the whole known world together with the phenomena which are contained therein. Ptolemy, Geographia 2nd Century A.D. Geography is the science of place. Its vision is grand, its view panoramic. It sweeps the surface of the Earth, charting the physical, organic and cultural terrain, their areal differentiation, and their ecological dynamics with humankind. Its foremost tool is the map. Leonard Krishtalka, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, 20th Century A.D.

What is Geography? Geography is the study of what is where and why it’s there. Mike Reed

Okay, but what exactly is it? Well, it’s a way of thinking about intellectual problems, both natural and societal, which emphasizes the importance of spatial relationships.. Take any social, environmental, or physical question or problem and ask yourself whether there is a spatial aspect to it. Chances are that space and place play a role in the explanation and distribution of that question. Mike Reed, Making It Up As I Go For example: Why are so many plant and animal species becoming extinct at the end of the twentieth century? Why do there always seem to be been so many wars in Africa? How did human beings come to be in North America if they evolved in Africa? Why is corn such an important part of a traditional Mexican diet? Why are some beers known as India Pale Ales? Why are so many California place names Spanish?

Divisions of Geography Physical Geography Human Geography Rocks and Minerals Population Landforms Settlements Soils Economic Activities Animals Transportation Plants Recreational Activities Water Religion Atmosphere Political Systems Rivers and Other Water Bodies Social Traditions Environment Human Migration Climate and Weather Agricultural Systems Geography is a bridge between the natural and social sciences. Geography is a holistic or synthesizing science.

The Five Themes of Geography

The Geography of Breakfast a geographic thinking demonstration Take a minute to write down everything you had for breakfast today.

COFFEE  Top Ten Coffee Growing Countries

CHOCOLATE Chocolate was “discovered” for Europe by Christopher Columbus, but it’s commercial possibilities were recognized by Hernan Cortez who was served a drink made from cocoa beans by Moctezuma, leader of the Aztecs (whom he later executed). The cacao tree, like coffee, grows only in the tropics. Today it is grown primarily for export to the U.S. and Europe.

Breakfast Foods Food Place of Origin Current Production coffee Ethiopia Tropics oranges South Asia, India US, Mediterranean pork China, South Asia Worldwide wheat Near East US, Russia, Argentina tea China Asia oats Near East Temperate Climates pepper South America Americas, Asia

Introduction to Cultural Geography Definition of Cultural Geography History of the Discipline Fundamental Concepts

What is CULTURE? What are its elements? How is it transferred? How has the meaning of the word changed over time?

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

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

Human-Environment Interaction (Cultural Ecology) Successful cultures are those that adapt well to their environments. (Chaco Canyon, North Africa, Fertile Crescent, Easter Island) Chaco Canyon, New Mexico Easter Island, Polynesia

The Cultural Landscape The result of the natural environment and all of the changes to it as a result of a particular culture. (Carl Sauer) 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

Sense of Place Every place is unique. Imagine where you lived as a child. Where is home? Why and how do places take on meaning for human individuals? Sensory Architecture Symbolic Humanistic Geography - values the individual perspective. Place and Placelessness (Relph, 1978)

Sense of Place Bourbon Street Groveland, CA

Geography and Politics Ties to Military Role in Colonization Role in Imperialism Role in Cold War Ethnocentrism Masculinism Foreign - 4) Situated in an abnormal or improper place. 5) Not natural: alien. The American Heritage Dictionary

Key Concepts REGIONS Culture Regions Formal - all members share a characteristic Functional - defined by a node of activity and distance decay from center Vernacular - perception of cultural identity

Overlapping Formal and Functional Regions

Vernacular Regions

Diffusion Relocation 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

Space Latitude and Longitude - a reference system designed to provide “absolute” location (as opposed to relative locations). Parallels of Latitude Meridians of Longitude

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

Key Concepts: Core-Periphery

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

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