1. Physical Geography Looking at the Earth
Geography involves the study of places: their locations, their characteristics, and how humans use and move around them.

2. Physical Geography Looking at the Earth The Five Themes of Geography
SECTION 1
The Five Themes of Geography
SECTION 2
The Geographer’s Tools

3. The Five Themes of Geography
Section-1
The Five Themes of Geography
Geographers view the world in terms of the use of space.
Geographers study the world by looking at location, place, region, movement, and human-environment interaction.

4. The Five Themes of Geography
Section-1
The Five Themes of Geography
The Geographer’s Perspective
Geographers and Historians
Historians look at events over time
Geographers look at:
− use of space on Earth
− interactions that take place there
− patterns and connections between people and land
Geography is the study of the distribution and interaction of:
− physical features on Earth
− human features on Earth
Continued…

5. The Geographer’s Perspective {continued}
Methods of Geography
Geographers use a variety of tools:
− maps
− photographs
− charts, graphs, tables
− scale models
− five themes of geography

6. Theme: Location Where is it?
Absolute location—exact place where a geographic feature is found
Relative location—location of a place compared to places around it
Continued…

7. Theme: Location {continued}
Absolute Location
Earth is divided into two equal halves, vertically and horizontally
Each vertical and horizontal half is called a hemisphere
An imaginary line, the Equator, divides north and south halves
Another imaginary line, the Prime Meridian, divides east and west
Continued…

8. Theme: Location {continued}
Latitude Lines
Geographers use latitude lines to locate places north and south
Latitude—imaginary lines that run parallel to the equator
Longitude Lines
Geographers use longitude lines to mark positions east and west
Longitude—imaginary lines that go over the poles
Where latitude and longitude lines cross is the absolute location
Continued…

9. Theme: Location {continued}
Relative Location
How a place is related to its surrounding environment

10. Theme: Place What is it Like?
Place includes physical features and cultural characteristics:
− physical features include climate, landforms, vegetation
− cultural characteristics include dams, highways, houses

11. Theme: Region How are Places Similar or Different?
A region is an area united by similar characteristics
Unifying characteristics—physical, political, economic, cultural
Three types of regions:
− formal
− functional
− perceptual
Continued…

12. Theme: Region {continued}1
Theme: Region {continued}
Formal Regions
Defined by a limited number of related characteristics
Formal regions of the world:
− The United States and Canada
− Latin America
− Europe
− Russia and the Republics
− Africa
− Southwest Asia
− South Asia
− East Asia
− Southeast Asia, Oceania, and Antarctica
Continued…

13. Theme: Region {continued}
Functional Regions
Organized around interactions and connections between places
Example: a city and its suburbs are connected through human movement
Perceptual Regions
Region with characteristics people perceive in much the same way
Example: the American Midwest
Sometimes perceptions differ: Does Midwest begin in Ohio or Illinois?

14. Theme: Human-Environment Interaction
How Do People Relate to the Physical World?
A relationship exists between people and their environment
People use and change the environment to meet their needs
People adapt to environmental conditions they cannot change
Often, people in similar environments adapt in different ways

15. Theme: Movement
How Do People, Goods, and Ideas Get from One Place to Another?
Geographers use three types of distance to analyze movement:
− linear distance
− time distance
− psychological distance
Linear Distance and Time Distance
Linear distance—how far a person, product, or idea travels
Time distance—how long it takes for person, product, idea to travel
Continued…

16. Theme: Movement {continued}
Psychological Distance
Refers to the way people perceive distance
Example: unfamiliar places may seem farther away than familiar ones

17. The Geographer’s Tools
Section-2
The Geographer’s Tools
Geographers use two- and three-dimensional tools to learn about the earth.
Geographers use computer-assisted technology to study the use of the earth’s surface.

18. The Geographer’s Tools
Section-2
The Geographer’s Tools
Maps and Globes
Visualizing Earth
Oldest known map: Babylonian clay tablet, circa 500 B.C.
Maps show locations of places, landforms, bodies of water
Continued…

19. Maps and Globes {continued}2
Maps and Globes {continued}
Two or Three Dimensions
Globe—a three-dimensional representation (a sphere) of Earth
Map—a two-dimensional graphic representation of Earth’s surface
Cartographer (mapmaker) tries to accurately reflect earth’s surface
Map projection—way of showing Earth’s curved surface on a flat map
Continued…

20. Maps and Globes {continued}
Types of Maps
Three types of maps: general reference, thematic, navigational
A topographic map is one kind of general reference map
Topographic map—shows natural and man-made features of earth
Thematic map—shows specific data such as climate, population density
A navigation map is used by sailors, pilots

21. The Geographer’s Tools2
The Geographer’s Tools
The Science of Mapmaking
Surveying
Surveyors observe, measure, record what they see in a specific area
Remote sensing, gathering geographic data from a distance, includes:
− aerial photography
− satellite imaging
Continued…

22. The Science of Mapmaking {continued}
Satellites
Three types of maps: general reference, thematic, navigational
Best known satellites are Landsat and GOES
Landsat is a series of satellites; can scan entire planet in 16 days
Geostationary Operational Environment Satellite (GOES):
− orbits in sync with Earth’s rotation
− gathers images of atmospheric conditions
Continued…

23. The Science of Mapmaking {continued}
Geographic Information Systems
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a digital geographic database
Combines and displays information from many sources
Global Positioning System (GPS)
Uses series of 24 Navstar satellites to beam information to Earth
Hand-held GPS receivers on Earth display exact position
GPS used by explorers, sailors, drivers; also used to track animals

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