Investigating the World The Nature of Geography

Introduction Geography involves two key dimensions: Spatial dimension - where things are and why they are there Ecological dimension - how humans interact with environments

The physical world The main pieces of land on the Earth’s surface are called continents. There are seven continents— Australia, North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Antarctica

The physical world The main saltwater areas on the Earth’s surface are called oceans. There are five oceans—Pacific, Indian, Atlantic, Arctic and Southern

Learn that Lingo!!!!

Definitions Key WordDefinition CartographerA specialised geographer who draws maps Citizena person who is part of a society with the right to protection from it and the responsibility of loyalty to it Condensationthe process by which water vapour turns to liquid Contoura line on a map joining places of equal height Ecosystema community of organisms interacting with one another and with the environment in which they live

Definitions continued Key WordDefinition EnvironmentThe total surroundings Evaporationthe process by which water turns from liquid to vapour Human featuresareas of the Earth's surface that have been built or changed by humans Isobara line on a synoptic chart joining places of equal air pressure nutrientA source of nourishment

Definitions continued Key WordDefinition Physical featuresareas of the Earth’s surface that are naturally occurring or have been largely unaltered by humans Precipitationany form of water falling to the Earth’s surface including rain, hail and snow Relative humiditythe amount of moisture in the air compared to the amount it could hold SettlementA place where people live Temperaturea measure of the amount of heat energy

Definitions complete Key WordDefinition Water cyclethe continuous movement of water, in its different states, between land, sea and air (also called the hydrological cycle) Wind directionWhere the wind is coming from Wind speedThe rate of air movement

The Nature Of Geography Geography is concerned with where people and places are located and the patterns of features on the Earth’s surface. By studying Geography we can become active and informed citizens and do something to help protect our future

Physical and Human features Physical features are those that occur naturally Human features are those that are made – agriculture, industrial, economics, political, settlements, socio-cultural Geographers examine environments at a variety of scales from local to global, and are particularly interested in the relationships between physical and human features. Examples of physical features include the weather, air, plants (flora), animals (fauna), rocks and soil, as well as the water in rivers, lakes and seas, solar energy (heat and light) Examples of human features include houses, schools, roads, railways, shopping and entertainment centres.

(a) Digital Portfolio Create a PowerPoint presentation of the wonders of the world You must include: Labels for all of the pictures One slide showing a world map marked with the location of each of the wonders. Websites that may be helpful include: You may work in pairs.

(a) Activity 7 Human Wonders of the World Chichen Itza, Mexico - Christ Redeemer, Brazil - The Great Wall, China Machu Picchu, Peru Petra, Jordan The Roman Colosseum, Italy The Taj Mahal, India 7 Natural Wonders of the World Aurora (Northern Lights) Great Barrier Reef Grand Canyon Paricutin Victoria Falls Mount Everest Harbor of Rio de Janiero

(a) Extension Activity Wonders Of The Ancient World Pyramids of Giza, Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Statue of Zeus at Olympia, Temple of Artemis at Ephesus Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, Colossus of Rhodes The Lighthouse of Alexandria The Walls of Babylon Palace of King Cyrus of Persia

Physical Elements Of The Environment

Ecosystems biotic—living things, such as plants and animals abiotic—non-living things, such as water, rocks and soil The way in which all these things interact in a particular environment is known as an ecosystem. The three main processes that connect all parts of an ecosystem are the energy flow, water cycling and nutrient cycling

Energy Flows Plants capture about 1 per cent of the solar energy that reaches the Earth from the Sun. Through the process of photosynthesis plants convert this energy into carbohydrates that are a food source for their growth and the animals that eat them In an ecosystem: the source of energy is the Sun energy is stored in the plants and animals, the biotic part energy is used for growth and generates heat

The Nutrient Cycle Plants gain the water and nutrients they need for growth from the soil. The nutrients then pass along a food chain as plants are eaten by animals and they, in turn, are eaten by other animals. Eventually the plants and animals die, and the nutrients are returned to the soil by the decomposers. In the nutrient cycle the plants are the producers animals that eat plants are called herbivores animals that eat animals are called carnivores

The Water Cycle Water is essential for life and flows through all ecosystems. When heated by the Sun, water evaporates, turning into water vapour. If water vapour rises it cools and condenses forming clouds. Precipitation falls from the clouds and the water either soaks into the ground or flows over the surface back in to rivers.

(a) Physical Elements Recap 1. Name three physical elements of the environment. 2. What are biotic elements? 3. What are abiotic elements? 4. For each of the following say whether it is biotic or abiotic: 1. A tree 2. A river 3. An insect 4. Grass 5. Snow 5. Write a definition for each of the following: a 1. Ecosystem 2. Food Chain 3. Producer

Human Elements Of The Environment

Overview There are very few environments left in the world that are completely natural. In most places humans have had some influence on the landscape. Land has been cleared for agriculture, Rivers have been dammed to provide water. Industries have been developed to process raw materials People have created settlements in which to live.

Agriculture Agriculture involves human activities that shape the landscape. the natural environment has been significantly changed by farming practices. Patterns created vary from patchworks of tiny fields typical of subsistence farming in Asia to the featureless expanses created by modern commercial grain farming in North America.

Industry Modern high-tech industries are more concerned with access to their markets and reducing labour costs Modern business parks exist today and factories have moved from richer to poorer countries to reduce their costs

Industry Locations Factors affecting location of industry include:

Settlements Settlements range in size from isolated farmhouses with one or two people to huge world cities, such as Tokyo with a population over 35 million. The buildings that people construct within settlements often reflect their culture as well as the physical environment.

1.Describe the buildings in 1.21 and As a class discuss the lifestyle of the people that live in each of these settlements a.What jobs might they do b. What clothes might they wear? c.What food do you think they would eat? d.How would they travel around? e. What leisure activities might they have 3.Which place would you most like to live in? Why?