1. Geographic Issues of the Twenty-first Century
Geography 20F

2. Introducing the Study of Geography
‘Geo’ means earth
‘graphy’ means to study or describe
What, about the earth, is being described or studied?
Physical and human features
Physical: landscape and environment
Human: cultures, societies, economies
Geography, therefore, is the study of Earth’s landscapes, peoples, places and environments. It is, quite simply, about the world in which we live.

3. Geography puts this understanding of the physical and human dynamics within the context of places and regions around the world
Newer developments in human geography focus on understanding the causes of differences and inequalities between places and social groups.

4. Why Study Geography?
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5. Physical Geography Cartography (mapmaking)
Climatology and meteorology (weather)
Geomorphology
The study of surface landforms and the processes that make them
Pedology
The study of soil (types, distribution, formation of)
Hydrology
Study of water resources and distribution
Biogeography
The study of plant and animal life (botany, zoology, entomology)

6. Human Geography Anthropology Demography
Study of humans past and present (culture, religion, social traditions, etc.)
Demography
Settlement patterns
Population trends
Urbanization
Economic activities and globalization
Industry
agriculture, fishing, logging, manufacturing, construction, services
Tourism and recreation
Transportation

7. Geography informs us about:
The places and communities in which we live and work
Our natural environments and the pressures they face
The interconnectedness of the world and our communities within it
How and why the world is changing, globally and locally
How our individual and societal actions contribute to those changes
The choices that exist in managing our world for the future
The importance of location in business and decision making

8. Questions to Answer (pairs / groups)
What do you think a Geographer does all day? (Geographer job description)
What do already know about geography?
What are you interested to learn more about? Why?

9. Geographer job description
Gather geographic data through field observations, maps, photographs, satellite imagery, and censuses
Conduct research, using methods such as surveys and interviews
Create and modify maps and graphs
Analyze human culture and geography
Use geographic information systems (GIS) to collect data
Write reports and present research findings
Combine geographic data with data pertaining to a particular specialty, such as economics, the environment, health, or politics
Geographers use several technologies in their work, such as GIS, remote sensing, and global positioning systems (GPS). They use the maps to guide governments, businesses, and the general public on a variety of issues, such as developing marketing strategies; planning homes, roads, and landfills; and responding to disasters.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

10. Activity: mental map of Canada
Using a blank piece of paper, draw and label a map of Canada from memory.
No cellphones or atlases!
Include as much as you can remember:
Provinces
Main cities
Water bodies
Land features

11. Activity: you be the geographer!
Using an outline of a map of Canada, label the following
(page 4 in textbook)
Provinces and territories
National, provincial, and territorial capitals
Additional cities: (as listed on handout)
Lakes: each of the Great Lakes, Winnipeg, Great Slave, Great Bear
Rivers: Fraser, Mackenzie, Saskatchewan, St. Lawrence, and Ottawa
Large water bodies: Pacific, Atlantic, Arctic oceans, Hudson Bay, Gulf of St. Lawrence
Neighbors: the United States including Alaska, and Greenland.
Feel free to use an atlas! I will “check” your name off once completed. Keep this map for future reference and assignments!