Section 1.2 Geography

Places and Regions Geographers identify three types of regions: Formal A region defined by a common characteristic, such as production of a product. - The wheat belt in the prairies is a formal region because wheat is its major crop

Functional region – a central point and the surrounding territory linked to it.- metropolitan Halifax is an example of a functional region because it includes the surrounding communities like Dartmouth and Bedford

Perceptual Region – a region defined by popular feelings and images rather than by objective data – the heartland of America, the bible belt etc.

The Elements of Geography Geographers are specialists who describe Earth’s physical and human features and the interactions of people, places, and environments. Physical Systems Physical systems–volcanoes, floods, and hurricanes–shape the earth’s surface.

Human Systems People affect the earth by settling it, forming societies, and migrating People also move goods and ideas to new places. Environment and Society People affect the environment by clearing or planting forests, building industries and cities, and hunting animals.

Environment and Society cont… Features of the environment such as mountain ranges and deserts often pose barriers to human migration. The Uses of Geography Geographers provide important information about the planet’s physical features and processes, living things, and human systems. Such information describes the planet and contributes to planning for future needs.

Branches of Geography Physical geography focuses on the study of Earth’s physical features. Human geography, or cultural geography, studies human activities and their relationship to the environment.

Geographers at Work There are several methods geographers use to collect data. Direct Observation Going to a geographic location to see what it is like is direct observation. Sometimes geographers rely on aerial or satellite photographs

Mapping Cartographers are people who design and make maps–graphic representations of places and regions and more complicated information about the relationships of people, places, and things. Interviewing Cultural geographers often interview the people whose activities they study.

Statistics Geographers use statistics to present data, find patterns, and study populations. Technology Geographers use advanced technology–satellite photos, radar, and geographic information systems (GIS)–to study the environment, the weather, and human settlement patterns.

Geography and Other Disciplines History and Government Geographers study history and government to understand changes that have taken place over time. Culture Human geographers study sociology and anthropology to learn how people have interacted with their environment over time.

Economics Geographers study economics to understand how the location of resources affects the ways people make, transport, and use goods and provide services.

Questions Name a job in which it would be helpful to understand geography. Explain. Possible answers: A travel agent needs to inform clients about climates and weather so they can make the best travel plans. A director who wants to shoot a film in the desert needs to know what access he or she will have to necessary supplies and housing and to weather information.

Why do geographers study human systems and human-environment relationships? Geographers study human systems and human-environment relationships to understand how the earth affects and is affected by human activity so that informed decisions can be made.

Geographers use direct observation, mapping, interviewing, statistics, and technology as research methods. What research methods do geographers use?

The two ways every place on the earth can be located are by describing its absolute location or its relative location. What are two ways that every place on the earth can be located?

Geographers might use maps, atlases, charts, measuring devices, thermometers, and barometers to describe the features of Earth and the relationships between them. List some of the tools geographers might use to describe the features of Earth and the relationships between them.