1. Unit 1 Physical Geography
Chapter 1

2. What is Physical Geography?
Write 2 sentences about what YOU think physical geography is…
You have 3 minutes

3. Geography
The study of the physical and human landscapes of Earth and the interaction between the two
Physical Geography – the study of Earth’s physical features
Human (Cultural) Geography – the study of human activities and their relationship to the cultural and physical environments
Geographers specialize on the interaction between humans and the Earth

4. Physical Environment
Consists of physical features that occur naturally
4 Major Components
Water
Natural Vegetation
Landforms and rocks
Weather and Climate

5. Rio Grande Rocky Mts. White Sands Carlsbad Caverns Red Sands
Elephant Butte

6. Exploring Geography The world is usually described in spatial terms
Spatial relations- refer to the links that places and people have to one another because of their location
You could use the terms-
Absolute location
Relative location

7. I. Absolute Location
Absolute location - The exact spot at which the place is found on the globe
To determine absolute location, geographers use imaginary lines around the earth
What lines are they?

8. Imaginary Lines
Equator – divides the earth into Northern and Southern hemispheres
Prime Meridian – divides the earth into Eastern and Western hemispheres (Greenwich, England)
Latitude – degrees north or south of the equator (0-90°)
Longitude – degrees east or west of the Prime Meridian (0-180°)

9. Compass Rose Activity Do you know how to tell direction?
In your notebook write down the saying you know in order to find out direction
Do not share your answer with anyone

10. Equator Prime Meridian In which hemisphere do you live?

11. Grid System
Grid System - Used to identify absolute location of any place on Earth
Measured in degrees and direction
What lines are measured with degrees?
How is direction measured?

12. Grid System

13. World Map Activity Each person needs a blank world map
Locate the following –
North Pole
South Pole
Equator
Eastern Hemisphere
Western Hemisphere
Prime Meridian
Northern Hemisphere
Southern Hemisphere
Tropic of Cancer
Tropic of Capricorn
Draw your Compass Rose and identify degrees

14. Grid System Activity You will have a partner
Latitude is measured 0-90° North or South
Longitude is measured 0-180° West or East
When plotting it goes latitude then longitude Ex: (5°N, 125°)
Locate the following absolute locations
(15°S, 60°W)
(28°S, 125°E)
(35°N, 130°E)

15. II. Relative Location
Relative location - location of a place in relation to other places
This is usually how we determine location
Socorro High School is next to Churches Chicken or Vista
Identify 5 different places using relative location

16. III. Places Place – a particular space with physical and human meaning
Every place has its own unique characteristics, determined by the surrounding environment and the people who live there
What is the most important place to you in the world and why?

17. IV. Regions
Region – a group of places united by similar characteristics
May be physical such as soil type, vegetation and climate
Or by human factors such as language, religion, forms of government, etc
Name 5 regions that you already know

18. Three types of Regions
Formal (uniform) – defined by a common characteristics such as a product produced there or climate experienced there
The Corn Belt – Iowa-Illinois area in the US
Common Characteristic?
Islamic World – Middle East

19. Functional Region
Functional - a central place and the surrounding area linked to it
Group of places that help each other function
Metropolitan areas such as LA or Tokyo
What common characteristics do these areas have?

20. Perceptual Region
Perceptual - defined by popular feelings and images rather than by objective data
“Heartland”
Its what YOU think an area is
Hollywood!

21. Perceptual Region Activity
WEST SIDE
LOWER VALLEY
EAST SIDE
NORTHEAST
Write 10 characteristics about each area

22. V. Physical Systems
Physical Systems-The physical processes that shape the patterns on Earth’s surface
El Paso Floods
Volcanoes
Hurricane Katrina

23. Ecosystems
Ecosystems- Community of plants and animals that depend upon one another, and their surroundings for survival
Geography look at how physical features interact with the ecosystems

24. ECOSYSTEMS!
Name 5 different processes within Ecosystems

25. VI. Human Systems Geographers study how people shape the Earth
Theme in Geography – MOVEMENT
Movement – ongoing movement of people, goods and ideas
People compete or cooperate with each other to either change or control aspects of the Earth to meet their needs
Write 2 sentences as to why you think movement is important..

26. VII. Human-Environment Interaction
Another theme of Geography
HEI- The study of the interrelationship between people and their physical environment
Environment
Mountains and deserts often pose barriers to human movement
Humans
Building a dam, alters the physical environment

27. Examples of Human-Environment Interaction
How do people use their environment?
How and why have they changed it?
What consequences result from those changes?

28. Use of Geography
Geography gives us insight into how physical features and living things develop in the past
It is important to apply all these concepts with events that are going on in the world TODAY!!

29. Geographer’s Craft
Geographers use tools to help them analyze information
Population Pyramids
Population Density Maps
GPS (Global Positioning System)
GIS (Geographic Information Systems)
Cartography
Direct Observation
Interviewing
Statistics
Technology

30. Writing Journal Imagine you are an urban planner.
What kinds of data might you want to assemble in order to plan a location for a new school?
What methods will you use to collect your data?
How would you use the data to determine the location for the school?
Explain your choices in a paragraphs