Why is Each Point on Earth Unique?

 Location is the position something occupies on Earth and can be identified in four different ways: ◦ Place name ◦ Site ◦ Situation ◦ Mathematical location

 Toponym – name given to a place on Earth  Site is the physical characteristics of a place ◦ Example: climate, water sources, topography, soil, etc. ◦ The characteristics of a site can be modified  Situation – location of a place relative to other places

 Meridian – arc drawn between the North and South poles ◦ Known as longitude  Parallel – circle drawn around the globe parallel to the equator and perpindicular to meridians ◦ Known as latitude

 Prime Meridian – meridian passing through Greenwich, England at 0° longitude  All other meridians have numbers between 0° and 180° east or west depending on where they are in relation to the Prime Meridian  Longitude is important when telling time because travelling 15° east or west is equal to a 1 hour time difference.

 At 0° lies the equator.  All other meridians have numbers between 0° and 90° north or south depending on where they are in relation to the equator  Longitude and latitiude are used together to determine the precise location of a place

 Combination of features such as language and religion, economic features such as industry, and physical features such as climate and vegetation.  Regions gain their identity from a combination of characteristics.

Area within which everyone shares one or more characteristics in common. This can be due to a common language, economic activity, political beliefs, etc. FORMAL REGION

Area organized around a focal point. An example could be newspaper circulation. FUNCTIONAL REGION

Place people believe exists as part of their cultural identity. For example the southern region of the United States. VERNACULAR REGION