The Geographic Perspective A smarter way to see the world

Spatial Perspective ► Connections ► Complexity ► Diversity ► Change across space (vs change over time)

“The Why of Where” ► Why and how do things come together in certain places to produce particular outcomes? ► Why are some things found in certain places but not in others? ► To what extent do things in one place influence those in other places? These and MANY other important questions equals GEOGRAPHY These and MANY other important questions equals GEOGRAPHY

Renewed interest in Geography ► Geography Education National Implementation Project (GENIP) early ’80s ► National Geographic Society: “Maps, the Landscape, and Fundamental Themes of Geography” = “5 Themes” of Geography These organizations led the push to revive this very important study… one of the oldest These organizations led the push to revive this very important study… one of the oldest

The 5 Themes: 1. Location 1. Location The actual position of a place or thing, or point in a given space. The actual position of a place or thing, or point in a given space. -Absolute Location: an exact point as defined by a system of coordinates -Absolute Location: an exact point as defined by a system of coordinates -Relative Location: the position of a point as it relates to another point. -Relative Location: the position of a point as it relates to another point.

2: Human-Environment Interaction ► How do different culture groups understand, use, and transform their environments? And how does environment influence human activity?

3: Region The defining of features concentrated in particular areas to aid human understanding of spatial distribution of things like political, economic, and social activity. The defining of features concentrated in particular areas to aid human understanding of spatial distribution of things like political, economic, and social activity. ► Formal, Functional, Perceptual/Vernacular ► Hierarchy

Formal Region

Functional Region

Perceptual/Vernacular Region

4: Place ► Have distinguishing human and physical characteristics. ► Each have a special character and meaning. ► Spaces with no human awareness or understanding are just that; spaces… they have no “place”.

5: Movement ► Referring to the mobility of people, goods, and ideas across the surface of the planet.