1. Geography To the Greeks, geography was: “A description of the earth”

2. In what ways can the earth be described? Pair up with the nearest person and brainstorm 5 different ways the earth can be described. You have 2 minutes.

3. Physically: mountains, rivers, lakes, deserts, peninsulas, plains, plateaus, etc. Physically: mountains, rivers, lakes, deserts, peninsulas, plains, plateaus, etc. Economically: currency, systems (controlled by the government, the people or both), stability of banks Economically: currency, systems (controlled by the government, the people or both), stability of banks Politically: what kind of government, human rights, voting rights, significant historical events Politically: what kind of government, human rights, voting rights, significant historical events Socially/Culturally: beliefs, attitudes, clothing, music, food, religion, education Socially/Culturally: beliefs, attitudes, clothing, music, food, religion, education

4. …Continued Environmentally: +/- human interactions with the land like deforestation; plant and animal life; climate issues Environmentally: +/- human interactions with the land like deforestation; plant and animal life; climate issues Structurally (Infrastructure): buildings, systems, networks, communication, transportation Structurally (Infrastructure): buildings, systems, networks, communication, transportation

5. It’s too overwhelming! Geographers have organized geography into 5 major categories or THEMES and a few miscellaneous ones to make it easier to study. Any guesses on what they are? Geographers have organized geography into 5 major categories or THEMES and a few miscellaneous ones to make it easier to study. Any guesses on what they are? To us, geography is: “the study of where people, places and things are located and how they relate to each other.”

6. #1 LOCATION – Where is it? Finding locations can be done in two ways: Finding locations can be done in two ways: –ABSOLUTE LOCATION uses LATITUDE and LONGITUDE Lines of latitude run east to west but are measured from north to south starting at O o called the Equator – remember “latitude-flatitude”. They are sometimes called parallels. Lines of latitude run east to west but are measured from north to south starting at O o called the Equator – remember “latitude-flatitude”. They are sometimes called parallels. Lines of longitude run from north to south (pole to pole), but are measured from east to west starting at O o called the Prime Meridian. They are sometimes called meridians. Lines of longitude run from north to south (pole to pole), but are measured from east to west starting at O o called the Prime Meridian. They are sometimes called meridians. –RELATIVE LOCATION uses landmarks to help describe a location

7. Snoqualmie Relatively speaking, Snoqualmie is located about 28 miles east of Seattle in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains just north of Interstate 90. Relatively speaking, Snoqualmie is located about 28 miles east of Seattle in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains just north of Interstate 90. Absolutely speaking, Snoqualmie is located at 47.59 N Latitude and 121.71 W Longitude Absolutely speaking, Snoqualmie is located at 47.59 N Latitude and 121.71 W Longitude

8. #2 PLACE – What is it like there? Describing a location in terms of the land, water, weather, soil and plant/animal life Describing a location in terms of the land, water, weather, soil and plant/animal life Describing a location in terms of people’s activities or lifestyles, like outdoor recreation, hunting, farming, manufacturing Describing a location in terms of people’s activities or lifestyles, like outdoor recreation, hunting, farming, manufacturing Describing a location in terms of the people’s religion, language and cultural backgrounds Describing a location in terms of the people’s religion, language and cultural backgrounds Each location has a unique sense of “place” Each location has a unique sense of “place” It’s important to appreciate the differences from location to location – one location is not “better than” or “worse than”, just different It’s important to appreciate the differences from location to location – one location is not “better than” or “worse than”, just different

9. Example of Place Pick a fun place you traveled to this summer, or have ever traveled to and think about “what is it like there?” Pick a fun place you traveled to this summer, or have ever traveled to and think about “what is it like there?” Volunteers? Volunteers?

10. #3 HUMAN & ENVIRONMENTAL INTERACTION What is the relationship between the people and their environment? Describes how people use and interact with the land, positively and negatively Describes how people use and interact with the land, positively and negatively Most people interact with the land and don’t realize it…brainstorm examples Most people interact with the land and don’t realize it…brainstorm examples It’s important to realize the impact everyone’s actions have It’s important to realize the impact everyone’s actions have

11. #4 MOVEMENT – How are people and places connected? Not just the physical movement of people by planes, trains and automobiles Not just the physical movement of people by planes, trains and automobiles Also the movement of ideas, goods and information Also the movement of ideas, goods and information –EX: religions, governments, foods can all “move”…can you figure out how these things “move”?

12. #5 REGION – How is a place similar to and different from other places? Divided areas based on physical features, human characteristics, governments and/or languages Divided areas based on physical features, human characteristics, governments and/or languages –Often starts with culture  once culture starts moving, it forms similar areas or regions EX: Utah – predominantly a Mormon state EX: Utah – predominantly a Mormon state EX: The North vs. the South during the Civil War EX: The North vs. the South during the Civil War EX: The Cascade mountains split Washington into two distinct sides of the state – we are split physically as well as culturally EX: The Cascade mountains split Washington into two distinct sides of the state – we are split physically as well as culturally Other? Turn and talk with your neighbor to find another two examples. Other? Turn and talk with your neighbor to find another two examples.

13. Other categories Science & Technology Science & Technology –Satellites and computers that help scientists/geographers collect data History and Political Science History and Political Science –Helps geographers understand how locations looked and were governed in the past Sociology and Anthropology Sociology and Anthropology –Helps geographers understand relationship between physical environment and social structures Economics Economics –Helps geographers understand how resource availability impacts a society’s economic activities Why do these matter?