1. The Elements of Geography
Introduction to Physical Geography

2. 1. The world in spatial terms “Location”
Spatial: Of or relating to space
Spatial relations: The links that places and people have to one another because of their location
Location: A specific place on Earth
Can you guess the difference between these…
Absolute location & Relative location

3. Absolute location
Absolute location refers to something's exact location on earth. These can be helpful…
Use of the grid system
Equator
South Pole
North Pole
Prime Meridian
Latitude/longitude
GPS/GIS

4. Absolute location

5. Relative location
Relative location is a description of where a place is, related to other places.
Example = The Empire State Building in New York City
It is 365 kilometers (227 miles) north of the White House in Washington, D.C.
It is also about 15 blocks from New York's Central Park.
These are just two of the building's relative locations.

6. Relative location

7. 2. Places and Regions
Place - particular space with physical and human meaning
Regions - Areas united by specific factors (3 types)
Formal Regions – Typically defined by a government or administrative group for the purpose of defining boundaries. (The U.S.A., The Rocky Mountains)
Functional Regions –  A specific function is present within the region (for example, an area covered by a particular sales force or a rail network).
Perceptual Regions – Reflect human feelings and attitudes. (Philadelphia – Rude or Fast Paced)

8. 3. Physical Systems
Geographers analyze how certain natural phenomena, such as volcanoes, earthquakes, and floods shape the earth’s surface.
How these physical features interact with plant and animal life to create, support, or change ecosystems
Ecosystem - a community of plants and animals that depend upon one another and their surroundings for survival

9. 3. Physical Systems

10. 4. Human Systems Geographers examine how people shape the world
How they settle the earth
Form societies
Create permanent features
Compete or cooperate to change or control aspects of the world to meet their needs
Movement-ongoing theme of Geography
Migrants bring new ideas/practices

11. 4. Human Systems

12. 5. Environment and Society
Human-environment interaction - study of the interrelationship between people and their physical environment
How people use their environment.
How and why they change it.
Consequences that result from these changes.
How the physical environment affects human activities.

13. 5. Environment and Society

14. 6. Uses of Geography
The purpose of the sixth essential element of geography is to show how the knowledge of geography enables people to develop an understanding of the relationships between people, places, and environments over time -- that is, of Earth as it was, is, and might be…

15. 6. Uses of Geography

16. What major event happened in the world on Jan 12, 2010?

17. Haitian Earthquake
The devastating events of January 12th, 2010 significantly impacted the people of Haiti. Much was destroyed, many lives were lost, and the aftermath of the earthquake continues to be felt up into the present. We will examine these events to gain a better understanding of the 6 elements of geography. On the handout, using your computers/tablets/phones answer the questions on the following slides. Answer them as best you can, using complete sentences…