Introduction to Geography Unit One: Learning Target #1 Introduction to Geography The Use of Geographic Inquiry

They try to understand the world around them. What do geographers do? They try to understand the world around them.

“Geo-Graphy” Geo - Earth Graphy – The Study of . . . “Geo”logy – History of the earth recorded by the rocks Geo - Earth Graphy – The Study of . . . Photo”graphy” – Study of taking photos

Focus on Two Questions Where are people and activities found on Earth? Why are they found there?

Geography History Geography v. History Focuses on WHY of WHERE Focuses on WHY of WHEN

Gather data of that area Spatial Analysis Spatial - Think “Space”, “Area”, or “Location” Analysis – look for patterns Look at an area Gather data of that area Investigate “why”

Spatially analyze the following image

Spatially analyze the following map

How do geographers spatial analyze? Ask Questions Gather Data Examine & Analyze Data Act on new information Geographic Approach

What type of Geography questions could we ask? When my favorite band tours, does it like to go to a certain part of the United States? How many cell phones do people in my neighborhood have? How many kids are in my neighborhood? Are the classes evenly divided? Is 1st lunch bigger than 2nd lunch? What state has the most national parks? Are the stores in my city “teenage friendly”? What roads are the busiest in my city? Are there certain parts of my town that are richer and poorer? Are the classes divided equally between boys versus girls?

They try to understand the world around them. What do geographers do? They try to understand the world around them. How do they do this?

Main Tool of Geography: Maps Definition: A representation usually on a flat surface of the whole or a part of an area Science of Mapmaking called Cartography

Let’s look at the definition of a map as “usually on a flat surface”

What shape is the world? What shape is a map? How would you show the world on a flat surface?

Problem with Maps How to make something round and 3D into something flat.

Map Element #1 - Projections Projection: Presenting an image onto a surface Distortion: Change the shape

Four Types of Projection Mercator Robinson Peter’s Projection Goode-Homosoline Projection

Does projection matter?

Helpful Links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVX-PrBRtTY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIID5FDi2JQ

Map Element #2 - Scale How much of the Earth should I show? Small Scale v. Large Scale

Example of Scale - Population Growth Rate Global Scale

Example of Scale - Population Growth Rate National Level

Example of Scale - Population Growth Rate State

Map Element #3 – Geographic Grid

Meridians: An arc drawn between the North and South Pole Known as Lines of Longitude Important Line: Prime Meridian

Parallels Known as lines of altitude Important Line: Equator

Connection: Geographic Grid and Mercator Projection Why distort this map?

Map Element #4 – Geographic Tools Remote Sensing: Taking pictures with satellites or from other long distance sites GPS: Global Position System Used mostly for location GIS: Geographic Information System Layered Maps

Different Types of Maps

Purpose of a Map Two Main Types Reference Tool Where is something located? Communication Tool What data can be shown for that area?

Physical Maps Focus on landforms such as mountains, rivers

Political Show government boundaries (Countries, states), major cities

Political v. Physical: How are they the same? How are they different?

Isoline Using lines on a map that connect points of equal value

Let’s Practice

Dot Each dot represents a specific amount of something Dots are placed to show how many are located in the area

Isoline v. Dot: How are they the same? How are they different?

Choropleth Uses shades of color to show differences Focuses on one topic

Cartogram Uses data to form the particular shape of an area Shapes are based on data not the actual size of the area

Choropleth v. Cartogram: How are they the same? How are they different?

Connections Categorize the maps into “reference” and “communication” Physical Political Isoline Dot Choropleth Cartogram

Connections Reference Communication Categorize the maps into “reference” and “communication” Physical Political Isoline Dot Choropleth Cartogram Reference Communication

Earliest maps were reference tools; Today, they are mostly focused on communication? WHY?

What makes places unique? Unit One – Learning Target #2

How are they different from each other? Discussion Compare two places. How are they different from each other?

What is a place? A specific place on Earth with unique characteristics

Elements of Place - #1 Place Name Toponymn Examples:

Elements of Place - #2 Site Characteristics Physical Characteristics of an area Can also include some human characteristics Examples:

Elements of Place #3 Situation Characteristics Location of place compared to other places Examples:

Absolute v. Relative Location Uses geographic grid Site Characteristics Compares with other places Situation Characteristic

Elements of Place #4 Cultural Landscapes An area modified by humans to reflect what they value

Elements of Place #5 Built Landscape An area built for human activities

Elements of Place #6 Sequent Occupancy The study of human use over different time periods Example: San Francisco Natives Spanish European Immigrants Asian Immigrants “China Town”

Unique Places with Similarities Regions Unique Places with Similarities

What is a region? Places on earth with similar characteristics in common

Examples Physical

Examples Cultural

Example Economic

What is a region’s purpose? Help us understand the world around us

Regions are to geography as . . . .. Periods or quarters in a sports game Sections in a large store Eras are to history Classification is to biology Movements in a musical composition What is happening in all of these? Sorting Classification Analysis of Connection

Types of Regions #1 – Formal Region (Uniform) Areas share in common one or more distinct characteristics Usually have either Official Boundaries Something that can be measured

Types of Region #2 – Functional Region (Nodal) An area focused around a node or a center point

Types of Regions Vernacular Region – Area people believe exists as part of their “mental map” How people organize and see the world in their own mind

Mental Maps Useful for vernacular regions Depicts what an individual perceives about a place

How does experience affect our mental maps?

What happens when areas become recognized for certain characteristics?

Key Items of Regions Regions is a PROCESS Overlap and Transitional Boundaries

Regions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C65 -yKq8DTM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LV XiM_u_UM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a Bz90jnrZQ

Why are different places similar? Unit One: Learning Target #3

Example #1 – language Map Where People Read English Wikipedia Map where Wikipedia is in English

Example #2 World Religions

Key Concept #1 – Hearth and Diffusion Hearth: Where the idea starts

Diffusion: Process of moving across space from one place to another over time

Map of French Speaking Countries Two Types of Diffusion 1. Relocation Diffusion: Spread of an idea through large-scale movement of people from one place to another Map of French Speaking Countries

Two Types of Diffusion 2. Expansion Diffusion Hierarchical Stimulus Diffusion Contagious Diffusion

Hierarchical Diffusion Spread of an idea from a person or entity of power to other persons or places

Contagious Diffusion Rapid, widespread diffusion of a characteristic

Stimulus Diffusion Spread of an underlying principle even though a characteristic itself apparently fails to diffuse

Review Activity A new type of food has been discovered. You must create a 1 minute skit that shows how the idea spreads based on your assigned type of diffusion.

Theories of Spatial Interaction In the past, most connections required physical movement of people

Theory #1 – Distance Decay Theory that contact interactions decrease with greater distance and eventually disappears

Today the effect of distance decay has lessened . . . . . Why?

Theory #2 - Time-Space Compression A decrease in time it takes for something to reach another place 1500-1840 Fastest Speed: Horse Drawn Coaches and Sailing Ships (~10 mph) 1850-1930 Fastest Speed: Railroad (~65 mph). Steam Ship (~36 mph) 1950s Fastest Speed: Aircraft (300-400 mph) 1960s Fastest Speed: Jet Passenger (500-700 mph)

Globalization Force or process that involves the entire globe