W HAT IS G EOGRAPHY ? Try to define it in 10 words or less.

WHERE DID THE CONCEPT OF GEOGRPAHY COME FROM? Dates back 2,200 years to the Greek scientist Eratosthenes. Combined two words: geo, “the earth,” and graphein, “to write about”

WHAT IS THE DISCIPLINE OF GEOGRAPHY CONCERNED WITH? The ways in which patterns on Earth’s surface reflect and influence physical and human processes. – –How we, as humans, affect the physical, cultural, political and spatial organization of the Earth.

Geography Defined Geography is the study of the spatial patterns of all phenomena (events) on or near the Earth’s surface. Geography is the study of the spatial patterns of all phenomena (events) on or near the Earth’s surface. Primary method of study is spatial analysis which asks two basic questions: Primary method of study is spatial analysis which asks two basic questions: –WHERE are things located (spatial) and WHY are they located where they are (analysis). Spatial refers the space on the Earth’s surface Spatial refers the space on the Earth’s surface Pattern refers to the distribution or design of the space (scattered or concentrated) Pattern refers to the distribution or design of the space (scattered or concentrated) Primary tool is the map. Primary tool is the map.

Why what is where. Can be anything

Why what is where. tallest buildings fast food restaurants slums volcanoes hurricanes

tallest buildings in a city

fast food restaurants

slums l

Why what is where. Spatial component

Why what is where. tallest buildings fast food restaurants slums volcanoes hurricanes centre of city grouped together close to downtown edge of plates Caribbean region

Where (the spatial component) place or location is critical in geography Where is one of the 1 st questions usually asked when people hear about an interesting event – fire, car accident, party, etc.

5 Themes of Geography Location: Relative and Absolute Location: Relative and Absolute Place Place Region Region Human-Environmental Interaction Human-Environmental Interaction Movement Movement

Location: Absolute and Relative  Every point on Earth’s has a specific location or ABSOLUTE location  latitude and longitude.  Site  Latitude measures distances north and south of the line called the Equator.  Longitude measure distances east and west of the line called the Prime Meridian.  Relative location deals with the interaction that occurs between and among places.  Refers to the many ways - by land, by water, even by technology – that places are connected.  Situation

Place PLACE: the distinctive and distinguishing physical and human characteristics of locations and landscapes on Earth.  Animal life and landscape.  Sense of Place is a connection to an area on Earth that reminds us of somewhere familiar.  Human Characteristics can be described by: 1. architecture 2. patterns of livelihood 3. land use and ownership 4. town planning 5. communication 6. transportation networks

Region REGION: An area on the Earth’s surface that is defined by certain unifying characteristics.  Unifying characteristics: physical, human, or cultural.  Regions can be described as grasslands, deserts, or, Christian or Islamic.  QUESTION: How would you describe the region you live in human/cultural terms?

Movement MOVEMENT: The study of the relationship between cultures, people, places, and patterns as they interact on the earth. This occurs mainly through migration.  Enables us to understand the connection and dependence we have on other regions, cultures, and people  READ ONLY: Humans travel and migrate from one place to another; they communicate with each other; and they rely upon products, information, and ideas that come from beyond there direct environment.  QUESTION: Under what conditions or circumstances do cultures make contact?  Possible answers: Wars, conquests, trade, travel, exploration, migrataton, immigration, deliberate exchange programs, media, and communication.  QUESTION: How do ideas move? What would happen if goods, ideas, or people stopped moving?

Human-Environmental Interaction HUMAN-ENVIRONMENTAL INTERACTION : The positive and negative effects of what occurs when people interact with their surroundings.  Example: The construction of the Hoover Dam on the Colorado River changed the natural landscape, but it created a reservoir or basin that provides water and electric power to the dry Southwestern United States.

Six Key Components of the Geographic Approach Location (2 types): Relative and Absolute Region Spatial pattern Spatial Interaction Human/Environment Interaction Culture

Regions Defined by homogeneity (sameness): physical geog. – Interior Lowlands economics - Less Developed Countries language - the French Shore religion - the Protestant area of Belfast

Regions –Types: 1. Formal, 2. Functional 3. Perceptual Formal region: uniformity in one or limited combination of physical or cultural features. Formal region: uniformity in one or limited combination of physical or cultural features. County, state, country borders County, state, country borders Functional region: defined by the interactions, connections and set of activities that occur within it. Functional region: defined by the interactions, connections and set of activities that occur within it. This classroom or a central business district This classroom or a central business district * Perceptual regions: reflect feelings and images, of a place. “Little Italy,” “Chinatown,” “The South”

Spatial Pattern How are things positioned? Possible patterns:  grouped  Clustered  linear  concentric rings  sectors

Spatial Interaction  An action or change in 1 location causes a change in another location  A new dance trend that originates in Korea becomes popular world wide

Environmental activities cause changes for humans: Hurricane Andrew in Florida or Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans Human/Environment Interaction

What is Culture? CULTURE describes the way of life of a large group of people CULTURE describes the way of life of a large group of people –Includes the physical lifestyle, values and beliefs. CULTURE may refer to CULTURE may refer to –customary styles of dress –routine living habits –food preferences –architecture of houses –layout of fields and farms –systems of government –Education –Laws

TRAITS OF CULTURE A single trait of culture is known as a CULTURE TRAIT. A single trait of culture is known as a CULTURE TRAIT.

CULTURAL HEARTH CULTURAL HEARTH: an area where cultural traits develop and from which the traits diffuse (spread out). CULTURAL HEARTH: an area where cultural traits develop and from which the traits diffuse (spread out). Traits such as agriculture can be traced to several hearths thousands of years apart. Traits such as agriculture can be traced to several hearths thousands of years apart. –If a trait has many hearths and develops independently from the other hearths, it is known as INDEPENDENT INVENTION.

CULTURAL DIFFUSION The process of spreading an idea or innovation from its hearth to other places The process of spreading an idea or innovation from its hearth to other places –Occurs through the movement of people, goods, or ideas across space.

CULTURAL BARRIERS A CULTURAL BARRIER can work against diffusion. A CULTURAL BARRIER can work against diffusion. –Certain innovations, ideas, or practices are not acceptable or adoptable in particular cultures because of traditional attitudes or even taboos (something forbidden).

EXPANSION and RELOCATION DIFFUSION EXPANSION DIFFUSION occurs when an idea or innovation develops in a hearth and remains strong there while also spreading outward. EXPANSION DIFFUSION occurs when an idea or innovation develops in a hearth and remains strong there while also spreading outward. 3 Types of Expansion Diffusion: 3 Types of Expansion Diffusion: 1. Contagious Diffusion: a form of expansion in which nearly all neighboring or bordering individuals are affected. 2. Hierarchical Diffusion: a pattern of expansion in which only a segment of the population adopts what is being diffused. 3. Stimulus Diffusion: a form of diffusion in which the idea or product is not directly adopted by the receiving population. For example, the diffusion of mass-produced food led to the introduction of the hamburger to India.

RELOCATION DIFFUSION RELOCATION DIFFUSION involves the actual movement of individuals and occurs most frequently through migration. RELOCATION DIFFUSION involves the actual movement of individuals and occurs most frequently through migration. The difference between expansion diffusion and relocation diffusion has to do with what happens at the point of origin – at its hearth. The difference between expansion diffusion and relocation diffusion has to do with what happens at the point of origin – at its hearth. In expansion diffusion, what is being diffused remains at the point of origin, often becoming more intense. With relocation diffusion, what is being diffused evacuates the point of origin and moves on. In expansion diffusion, what is being diffused remains at the point of origin, often becoming more intense. With relocation diffusion, what is being diffused evacuates the point of origin and moves on.

Globalization The increasing interconnectedness of different parts of the world through common processes of economic, political, and cultural change. Economic globalization is happening fastest. The increasing interconnectedness of different parts of the world through common processes of economic, political, and cultural change. Economic globalization is happening fastest. Panama, 1997 Discussion: How is globalization affecting you? Can you see it in your everyday life?