Geography BBS

Human Geography: Culture Culture: A learned system of shared beliefs and ways of doing things that guides a person’s daily behavior. There are seven elements of culture Social Organization: Family patterns, structures, social classes Customs/Traditions: Rules of behavior Religion: Meaning/purpose of life Language: Spoken/written Arts/Literature: Products of human imagination to pass on culture’s beliefs Forms of Government: Provide order and needs Economic Systems: Production of what, how, and for whom

Human Geography: Culture

Ethnic Groups/Race Ethnic Groups are cultural groups of people who share learned beliefs and practices Race is a group of people who share inherited physical or biological traits. However, many argue that race is a social construct. Cultural Change Cultures change over time through diffusion and acculturation. Acculturation is the practice of borrowing aspects of another culture as a result of long-term contact. Cultural Differences Symbols are often times used to differentiate between cultures. Symbols can be a word, shape, color, or even a flag.

Human Geography: Culture Development of Culture Culture is developed based on a region’s history, physical environment, landscape, city planning, and agriculture. Marrakech, Morocco

Human Geography: Population Population The branch of geography that studies human populations is called demography. Geographers who study it are called demographers. Demographers look at population size, density, and age trends. Growth Issues Generally, high population growth rates will hinder a country’s economic development. High rates can lead to scarcity of resources and jobs.

Human Geography: Economy Types of Economic Activities Primary Industries: Directly involve natural resources or raw materials. Examples include farming, mining, and logging. Secondary Industries: Change the raw materials created by primary activities into finished products. Examples include a sawmill that turns a tree into lumber. Tertiary Industries: Handle goods that are ready to be sold to consumers. Examples include stores, banks, and government agencies. Quaternary Industries: People with specialized skills not dealing with goods. Examples include people working with information such as researchers, managers, and administrators.

Human Geography: Economy Economic Indicators Gross National Product (GNP) The value of all goods and services that a country produces in one year. This includes goods and services made by factories owned by that country’s citizens but located in foreign countries. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Includes only those goods and services produced within a country. Most geographers tend to use this to study a country opposed to GNP. These are common means for an country to measure its economy. Development Developed Countries: Highly industrialized countries Developing Countries: Countries moving toward industrialization. 2/3 of the world lives in developing nations. Systems Free Enterprise Economy People, not the government, decide what to make, sell, or buy Command Economy The government owns most of the industries and makes most of the economic decisions.

Human Geography: Economy McDonald’s Restaurant

Human Geography: Governments Unlimited Government Total control over all aspects of citizens lives. There are no legal controls placed on their actions. Limited Government Limited control over aspects of citizens lives through constitutions and electoral processes. These limitations help protect citizens and societies from abuses of power.