GEOG101: Introduction to Human Geography Instructor: Christopher D Storie Spring What is Geography The Five Themes

2 A question to ponder... Does it make a difference where things are located? Why?

3 What is Geography? ■ Geography is the science of spatial analysis or areal interrelations ■ Geography studies where objects and events are and why they are the way they are in relation to space ■ Geography’s branches can be considered as parts of both social and physical science

4 The Five Themes of Geography ■ In 1986 National Geographic introduced the five themes of geography (though they had always existed): 1.Location 2.Human Environment Interaction 3.Region 4.Place 5.Movement ■ The Goal was to assist in better defining what it is geographer’s do, and to assist geographer’s in better defining their own research.

5 Theme #1: Location ■ Why does location matter? 1.The location of a business, a university, a religious shrine, a process or any place is of primary importance in its relationship with other such processes or places. 2.No person or place or process occurs in isolation. There is a continuous cycle of cause and effect. 3.No news story whether it deals with collapse of a stock market, or a serial killer or an epidemic can ignore location. 4.Regional geography helps us to understand the interdependence of places and processes.

6 Theme #1: Location ■ Location: Every point on the earth’s surface can be determined by one of two methods: Absolute An absolute location is an exact precise, mathematical coordinate. There can only be 1. Examples –34° 59' N 80° 58' W –701 Oakland Avenue, Rock Hill, SC Relative A relative location is the determination of a location based on its relationship to another known location. Examples: –Beside the York County fairgrounds –South of Charlotte

7 Theme #2: Human-Environment Interaction ■ A spatial perspective that invites the consideration of the relationship among phenomenon in individual places – including the relationship between humans and the environment. Why do we continue to build levees, dams and dykes in a part of New Orleans's that is technically below sea level and consequently is susceptible to flooding?

8 Theme #3: Region ■ A basic unit of geographic study is the region, an area on the earth’s surface that is defined by certain unifying characteristics ■ Phenomenon are not evenly distributed on the surface of the earth – instead features tend to be concentrated in particular areas. Is Winthrop University a region? Why... ■ No two places alike, yet similarities exist. Examples: “Pacific Northwest” “New York City” “Rocky Mountains” “The South”

9 Theme #4: Place ■ All places on the earth have unique physical and human characteristics and one of the purposes of geography is to study the special meaning and character of places: People develop a sense of place by infusing a place with meaning and emotion We also develop perceptions of places through books, tv, stories, etc. If you won the powerball lottery and could move anywhere you wanted, where would it be?

10 Theme #5: Movement ■ This theme refers to the mobility of people, goods, and ideas across the surface of the earth ■ People (and things) travel from one place to another; they communicate with each other; they rely upon products, information, and ideas that come from beyond their immediate environment. ■ Movement is an expression of interconnectedness of places: Spatial interaction between places depends on the distances among places, the accessibility of places and the transportation and communication connectivity among places