Cultural Geography

Concepts of Culture Cultural Traits - a single attribute of a culture

Folk Culture Traditional ways of life Often celebrated as part of a national or ethnic heritage Usually only still followed in more isolated rural community

Pop Culture Pop culture is spread by the media Global uniformity TV Movies internet Global uniformity

Cultural Regions and Realms Anglo America Latin America Europe Russia & former Soviet Union Middle - East Sub-Saharan Africa South Asia Southeast Asia East Asia Oceania

Anglo-America US & Canada British origins Immigrant traditions Similar economic development Skylines of concrete and steel

Latin America Mexico and Central America The Caribbean South America Most of the region shares a language and a religion Spanish colonial period creates similarities

Europe West & North Eastern Europe Mediterranean European Union More developed Eastern Europe Transition & tension Mediterranean Tradition v. industry European Union Christian tradition

Russia and Eastern Europe Different orientation than the rest of Europe Multi-national societies Struggles with Russian dominance Ukraine, Caucasus

Middle East SW Asia, North Africa, Cent. Asia Arid Climates Oil production region Tension between religious groups Battle between modern & traditonal

Sub-Saharan Africa Dominated by tropical climates Poaching v. Preservation Borders set by European countries Tribe v. Country A mix of traditional and colonial Struggles for development

South Asia Traditionally dominated by Indian cultural ideas Birthplace of religions Religious and ethnic differences cause tension

East Asia Generally modern high-tech economies Hearth of cultures (Eastern philosophies) Lots of tension because of historical Chinese dominance

Southeast Asia Peninsulas and archipelagos Mainland is mostly Buddhist Islands are mostly Islamic Hindu and Christian pockets

Oceania Australia New Zealand Pacific Islands Micronesia Melanesia Polynesia

Elements of Culture Language Religion Social Groupings Gender Traditions of Government Economic Activities

Language A common language is a unifying factor Language families are made up of languages with similar roots

Religion Religion helps provide a sense of identity Religion influences the arts and architecture

Major World Religons Christianity Islam Hinduism Buddhism Judaism

Religion Universalizing Religions – can appeal to anyone Christianity Islam Buddhism Ethnic Religions – generally only for those born into it Hinduism Judaism

Social Groupings Culture can be based on socio- economic status Culture is also based on ethnicity

Gender Gender roles vary from culture to culture Gendered space makes for different realities within cultures

Traditions of Government The traditions of government in a country help define cultural traditions democracy dictatorship

Economic Activities The activities the national economy is based on will impact culture. More developed countries usually abandon traditional ways of life