What is Geography? An introduction to basic concepts of geography

What defines Geography?  It is the study of the location of people and places and the patterns in which they are arranged on earth.  Physical Geography – focuses on physical patterns of Earth  Human Geography – focuses on the political, economic, or cultural aspects of human behavior  Understanding how physical and human geography interact and impact each other is largely what geographers focus on. Its the interaction between people and their environment!

What are the Geographer’s Tools?  Understanding how maps work is key  It is also important to understand how maps can distort information  Ex. Two dimensional versus 3D  Planer Projection, Cylindrical Projection, Conic Projection  Winkel Tripel Projection, Goode’s Interrupted Equal- Area Projection, Robinson Projection, Mercator Projection

2-D versus 3-D

How is location determined on a map?  Latitude (equator)  Longitude (Prime Meridian)  The Global Grid  Northern / Southern Hemisphere  Eastern / Western Hemisphere

What types of maps are there?  NUMEROUS!! – all used to show all kinds of different information  Most maps show location and physical features  Some other types are qualitative and flow-line maps.  Good for showing historical changes and showing movement of people and things.

Types of Maps Qualitative Flow-line

Why use Geography?  Your turn!

What research methods do geographers use?  Direct observation  Mapping  Interviewing  Analyzing statistics  Using Technology

Geography as a career?  Look it up!!  Bureau of Labor Statistics Bureau of Labor Statistics Bureau of Labor Statistics