Geography for Life

What is Geography? Geography is the study of WHAT IS WHERE and HOW IT GOT THERE.

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.

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. For example: Why are so many plant and animal species becoming extinct at the end of the twentieth century? Why does Africa seem to have so many political conflicts/wars? Why is corn such an important part of a traditional Mexican diet? Why are some beer brands known as India Pale Ales?

Divisions of Geography Geography is a bridge between the natural and social sciences. Geography is a holistic or synthesizing science, combining elements of many disciplines. 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 Geotechniques GIS, GPS, Remote-Sensing, Cartography

The Five Themes of Geography

Population Concentrations

The Geography of Breakfast a geographic thinking demonstration Take a minute to write down everything ate for breakfast or lunch today.

Breakfast Foods Food Place of OriginCurrent Production coffeeEthiopiaLowland Tropics orangesSouth Asia, IndiaUS, Mediterranean porkChina, South AsiaWorldwide wheatNear EastUS, Russia, Argentina teaChinaAsia, South Asia oats Near EastTemperate Climates pepperSouth AmericaAmericas, Asia

Top Ten Coffee Growing Countries (Yellow) First domesticated in Ethiopia, coffee has come to be a major export crop for colonial countries and continues to provide much of the export income in these less developed countries. In Uganda, % of export revenue is generated by coffee. Many issues are raised by the continuation of such colonial economics. COFFEE PRODUCTION

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. CHOCOLATE

Coffee Consumption (per capita) #1 Norway: 10.7 kgs #2 Finland: 10.1 kgs #3 Denmark: 9.7 kgs #4 Sweden: 7.8 kgs #5 Netherlands: 7.1 kgs #6 Switzerland: 7 kgs #7 Germany: 5.7 kgs #8 Austria: 5.5 kgs #9 Belgium: 5 kgs #10 France: 3.9 kgs #11 Italy: 3.2 kgs #12 United States: 3 kgs

Effects of the Seasons Daylength

Tilt of the earth on its axis. The earth is tilted 23.5º from perpendicular to the plane of the ecliptic. Tilt is currently constantly toward Polaris Animation

Geographic Information Science (GIS) A GIS is "an organized collection of computer hardware, software, geographic data, and personnel designed to efficiently capture, store, update, manipulate, analyze, and display all forms of geographically referenced information."

Famous Geography Students Mother Teresa - Taught Geography and History in Calcutta for 15 Years Prince William of Wales – Majored in Geography at University of Saint Andrews, Scotland Michael Jordan – Majored in Cultural Geography at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Jobs in Geography Aerial Photo InterpreterFacilities PlannerLand Developer Site ResearcherAgricultural Extension AgentForestry Technician Land EconomistSoil ConservationistAir/Water Quality Control Manager GeographerLand-Use AnalystSurveyor CartographerGeographic Area SpecialistLocation Expert Systems AnalystCartography CompilerGeographic Attache' Map AnalystTeacherClimatologist Geographic Information Systems Map Curator/LibrarianTraffic Manager Coastal Zone ManagerGeophysics AssistantMap Editor Transportation AnalystCommunity DeveloperHazardous Waste Planner Market Research AnalystTransportation ManagerComputer Mapper Health Services PlannerNatural Resources Spec.Travel Agent/Specialist Computer ProgrammerHealth Services Organization Manager Outdoor Guide Urban/Regional PlannerDemographerHydrologist Park RangerWeather ForecasterEarth Scientist Industrial DeveloperPeace Corp VolunteerWildlife Manager EcologistIndustrial PlannerProperty Manager Writer/AuthorEditorIntelligence Agent Public Utilities SpecialistZoning InvestigatorEnv. Impact Analyst International Business RepReal Estate Agent/Broker/Appraiser Environmental Quality Specialist International Investment Analyst Remote Sensing AnalystCollege/University Professor International Investment AnalystRemote Sensing AnalystCollege/University Professor

Fieldwork: Geographers as Contemporary Explorers

Ecuador

India

Quito, Ecuador

Northern Baja Rest Stop

Taos, New Mexico

Thailand

Guarding the Great Wall of China

Trim Castle, Ireland