What is Geography? Geo - geo= land Graphy= study/ chart The study of the Earth, including land, places, and people The study of geography led to the creation of maps

Location Location is a particular place or position. Location can be absolute or it can be relative. Absolute: is precise, more exact Relative: gives only a general idea of where something is located

Location Examples Coordinates, street addresses, cities – (40 N, 74W; 100 Main Street, Trenton, NJ; Oahu, Hawaii; Phoenix, Arizona) Alpine is West of Norwood; Hawaii is an island in the Pacific Ocean

Place A Place has describing characteristics that define a location. These characteristics can be physical or human. Physical: features that naturally occur on the Earth. This also includes animal and plant life Human: features that are man-made, such as architecture, or elements of culture

Place Examples Physical: rivers, beaches, mountains, waterfalls, caves, etc. Human: Eiffel Tower, a straw hut, Stonehenge, your home, etc.

Human-Environment Interaction Involves how people use, adapt, or modify their environment. This can have positive or negative effects Adapt vs. Modify: – Adapt- when you change yourself to fit your environment – Modify- when you change your environment to fit you

Examples Adapt- wearing shorts & a t-shirt in hot weather Modify- using irrigation systems to water crops in areas of dry land/ no rain Positive- fertilizing crops to feed more people Negative- polluting clean air and water sources

Movement When people, ideas, goods, fads, etc. are brought from one place to another or are exchanged between places

Movement Examples One Direction first became popular in Britain, then in the US Internet began in California and is now used globally

Regions A group of places with at least one common characteristic. Regions can be formal or vernacular Formal: Officially marked boundaries- can be for continents, countries, towns, cities, etc. Vernacular: No official boundary lines, but instead are understood, or are “perceived”

Region Examples Formal : New York City, the USA, Europe Vernacular: “The South” or “the Middle East” In your notes: – Think About It: Which theme do you think is most important? Why? Explain.

Types of Maps

Political Maps A political map shows boundaries Examples: countries, states, counties, etc.

Physical Map A visual representation of an area, usually includes landmarks, cities, major highways, bodies of water, etc.

Economic Map An economic map can show industry, agriculture, or where wealth or poverty are located

Topography Map A topographic map shows elevations or high and low altitudes found in a country or region Examples- mountains, cliffs, valleys

Climate Map A climate map shows temperatures and climates found within a country or region