Chapter 1: Themes and Essential Elements

Human Geography: Studies how people live and use resources. Ex. Jobs, food, activities, clothing etc. Physical Geography: Studies the natural environment. Ex. Weather patterns, landscape, terrain etc. How are these two branches different? The 2 Main Branches of Geography

Formal Region: Has one or more common feature that makes it different from surrounding areas. Ex. Population (city), landscape (Rocky Mountains), beliefs/perceptions of individuals (Bible Belt) Functional Region: Made up of different places that are linked together and function as a unit (organized around a central unit). Ex. Belden Village Mall, Union Station (Chicago), City offices. Perceptual Region: Regions that reflect human feelings and attitudes. Ex. “Back home,” the ghetto, dixie etc. Types of Regions

Location: Exact or relative spot of something on earth. Absolute= precise location. Relative= What it is near. Ex. Driving directions- Absolute= GPS Relative= Next to the gas station. 5 Themes of Study

Movement: How people and things change location and the effects of these changes. Ex. Cities located near water/resources. Moving to warmer climate. Shortage of water in California Larger cities, more urban areas. 5 Themes of Study

Region: Organizes earth into geographic areas with one or more shared characteristic. Ex. Terrain: Midwest (farmland) Rocky Mountains etc. Weather patterns- South and West (warmer climate). 5 Themes of Study

Place: Physical and human features of a location. Ex. Urban, rural, suburban. Stereotypes: Red neck, ghetto, ritzy, etc. 5 Themes of Study

Human- Environmental Interaction: The way people and environments interrelate with and affect each other. Ex. Pollution- L.A. smog, Cuyahoga River, Lake Erie. Building dams and roads etc. 5 Themes of Study