James Leigh, University of Nicosia Tracy Bucco Cultural Geography

Nature of Cultural Geography Part 1 (Tracy Bucco)

This lecture’s reading Fellman, J. Getis, A. and Getis, J. (2005), Human Geography: Landscapes of Human Activities, Latest Edition, New York, McGraw- Hill. –Chapter: Introduction: Some Background Basics Leigh, J. and Hill, S. (2007), Safari Through Culture, Behaviour and Communication, Nicosia, Afi (Touch) Editions.

Geography Geo- (earth) -graphy (write, draw, describe) Includes: –Cultural (or human) and –Physical geography Earth ever from outer space, new.kentuckysportsradio.com

Geography Geography is a spatial (space) science concerned with how the content of the earth’s areas differs from one place to another. Studies the spatial variation in the world’s physical and human features. View of Earth from Outer Space, cheeju.wordpress.com

Geographic view Where places are? Integrating spatial perspective

Geography dominating themes Areal variation of physical and human phenomena on earth’s surface Focus on spatial systems linking physical phenomena and human activities in one area with other areas Study of human-environmental relationships and spatial systems in a local setting (Regional Geography) (Tracy Bucco)

Cultural (Human) Geography Studies spatial variations in the characteristics of peoples and cultures, the way humans interact over space, and the ways they utilize and alter the natural landscape they occupy. (Tracy Bucco)

Environmental determinism The Physical environment shapes humans, their action and their thoughts. Presently not held so much in favor. Possibilism People not environments are the dynamic forces of cultural development

What is Geography ? Terrain (shape of the land) Hills, valleys, rivers, seas Landscape (terrain plus the physical and human elements on the land) Terrain plus the flora, fauna and human activity (behavior and products) (Tracy Bucco)

Geography: primary concepts Space: spatial or spacial view Place: including a spatial view of site characteristics Position: spatial view in relation to other places with networked interconnections –Absolute (e.g. 35 o N, 16 o E) –Relative (e.g. near Greece etc) Interconnections: how each place and position is interrelated to and interacts with the others (Tracy Bucco)

Cultural Geography Sometimes called “Human Geography” Studies humans and their activities as they are spatially distributed in the environment; includes concentration and density concepts Includes human thought and behavior (values, norms, objects) and its spatial implications (Tracy Bucco)

Cultural Geography (Fellmann et al)

Spatial processes Spatial interaction refers to movement of people, ideas and things within areas and between areas (Tracy Bucco)

Spatial interaction Complementarity: demand in one region for a commodity available elsewhere Transferability: refers to the mobility of the commodity as determined by its characteristics, value, distance (time and money), and affordability of the “client” (Tracy Bucco)

First Law of Geography: Distance Decay Intensity of interaction (gravity) between two places is inversely proportional to the distance between them Generally the bigger the places the greater the attraction gravity Distance Intensity of interaction

Examples: Distance Decay Cost of land with distance from the city centre Prevalence of grass (or cows … ) with distance from the city centre (is not distance decay but redefined it is) Scarcity of grass (or cows … ) with distance from the city centre

Many visual items are used in the course. They have been collected in “notes” over several years. If any items are unreferenced please let us know. We would be happy to give credits. James Leigh, University of Nicosia (Tracy Bucco)