Global Geography 12 Introduction to Global Geography: The Geographic Approach

What we will be looking at in this chapter: What is the subject matter of Global Geography? What are its methods? What are its major concepts? How can studying global geography help us resolve some of the crisis the Earth is facing today?

Hot Topics for this Chapter: Explaining Geography: What is Geography?  “Ge” is the Greek word meaning “Earth” and “Graphia” in Greek means “writings”. The root of the word means writings of the Earth. Geography is the study of the physical and human environments of the world and the way in which these environments interact with each other. Geography involves the whole Earth, the people living there and the connections people make with different places.

Hot Topics for this Chapter: What is Global Geography?  Emphasizes the two-way interactions in between humans and their environment. For example, a hurricane is a natural process that can have a devastating effect on human communities. Mining operations are human processes that can have a devastating effect on the environment.

Hot Topics for this Chapter: The Integrative Discipline  Geography acts as the vehicle for integrating, or blending together, the research of specialties in different fields of study. 3 ways Geographers look at the world As the distinct physical body called Earth As and interconnected physical, chemical and biological environment As a place where human beings live Therefore geography deals mainly with spatial relationships between people and Earth.

Hot Topics for this Chapter: The Geographical Method  The Geographical Method is when geographers examine spatial relationships and are seeking to answer certain questions or solve a particular problem.

Six Fundamental Concepts of the Geographic Method  Location – where did it happen? Can be specific or general Region – area of land that has recognizable features; scale, size can vary Spatial Distribution – the effect of something occurring in different areas. If the same affect can be found again in places that are far apart, it is known as spatial pattern. Distance Decay Pattern explains that as the distance increases, the intensity or amount of what is being measured decreases. Spatial Interaction – an event in one location or region can lead to change in another location or region some distance away. Ex. An erupting volcano in one part of the world may cause decreased sunlight in cities 1000’s of kilometers away.

Six Fundamental Concepts of the Geographic Method  Human/Environment Interaction – some spatial interactions are the result either of the impact the environment had on humans or the impact humans have on the environment. The impacts are local. Ex. Mining, tornado. Culture – the customs or world-view of an area. People have to realize that people of different cultures have different views on the environment, the use of natural resources and the best way of living in human communities. In order to understand this we have to learn about different cultures. In pairs work on question 7 on page 14. Then complete question 9 on page 15

Key Terms Sustainable Development  Every nation has the right to develop its natural resources in a way to grant its people economic self-sufficiency. This can be done through industry or agriculture to produce goods and services sold for a profit. Sustainable development means using natural resources in such a way as to ensure that there will always be sufficient supplies for the future generations. It also means using natural resources in a way that does not damage the environment. Working with the world in a natural way that does not damage the environment. Examples: (1) Reducing pollution and slowing down global warming. (2) Increasing forested areas to meet environmental and energy needs in the developing world. (3) Slowing population growth. (4) Reducing or canceling the debt of developing countries.

Key Terms United Nations  Founded in 1945; its purpose is to promote peace security and human rights, to develop friendly relations among nations of the world co-operate in solving their economic, social and cultural problems.

Key Terms Global Village  Devices such as computers, television and telephones have the effect of shrinking time and space by greatly speeding up communications between different parts of the world. Countries of the world now depend on each other for their property and well being. One country’s problems can create similar problems for nations on the other side of the globe.

Key Terms Interdependence  Electronic devices have brought people around the world closer together by allowing them to communicate with each other almost instantaneously. At the same time, these communicating devices have made widely separated groups of people realize how dependent they are on each other for their health and well being. Decisions in one part of the world can have serious consequences in parts of the world we never thought we’d touch. Example: Sweatshops – The daily buying decisions that North Americans and Europeans make to maintain their lifestyles literally control the lives of millions of people in less developed countries.