Introduction to World Geography 2012, TESCCC Geography is the study of place and space: Geographers look at where things are and why they are there. Study of human activity, the natural environment, and the relationship between the two (human-environment interactions). What is Geography???? 2012, TESCCC What do Geographers do?? Observe Look for patterns, relationships, and processes Examine spatial patterns: From a local to global scale Look from multiple perspectives Ask: Where? Why, Where? and Why do we care? 2012, TESCCC Physical v. Cultural Geography Physical Geography is the study of the Natural Landscape of the Earth while Cultural Geography is the study of the Human Landscape of the Earth. Physical Geography Cultural Geography Rocks/Minerals Population/Settlements/Urbanizati on Landforms Economic and Political Systems Animal and Plant Life Transportation Soils Human Migration Atmosphere/Climate/Weather Social Systems EnvironmentRecreation Rivers/Oceans/Other bodies of Water Religion/Belief System 2012, TESCCC What types of jobs do geographers have (in the U.S.)? Location Analysts, for: franchises (like Burger King) stores (like big department stores) public facilities (like new schools) Environmental Scientists and Consultants GIS (computer mapping) Urban and Regional Planners Real Estate and Residential Development Analysts Transportation and Tourism Planners and Analysts University and public school teachers 2012, TESCCC Taxonomy: kingdom, phylum, Class, order, family, genus, species Biologists Geologists Geological time Historians Eras, ages, periods Geographers Geographic Regions CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS 2012, TESCCC Physical (natural) characteristics landforms, climate, vegetation Human (cultural) characteristics language, religion, ethnicity, population GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS: What defines a region? Regions are based on Spatial Criteria 2012, TESCCC Change over time. Do not have definite borders Are separated from or blend with other regions by transition zones. Transition Zone: Gradual shift (not a sharp break) to neighboring regions. Regions criteria is determined by human needs. This criteria allows for comparisons with other areas. GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS: 2012, TESCCC Properties of Regions Area Boundaries Location 2012, TESCCC Classification of Regions is based upon physical features and human characteristics. Examples: The United States is in the North American Region. The U.S. has several sub-regions: Northeast, Midwest, South, etc. Region & Sub-region boundaries are based on criteria we establish. Criteria can be: Human (cultural) properties Physical (natural) characteristics or Both SUB-REGIONS 2012, TESCCC Example Region Classification Dominated by one political power: North America: U.S. Middle America: Mexico South America: Brazil Russian Realm: Russia East Asia: China South Asia: India Southeast Asia: Indonesia Australian Realm: Australia No dominant State Europe Sub-Saharan Africa North Africa / Southwest Asia Oceania (Pacific Realm) 2012, TESCCC Regions can also be classified by Formal Characteristics Functional Characteristics Perceptual Characteristics Other Classification of Regions 2012, TESCCC Marked by a certain degree of homogeneity in one or more phenomena. Limited number of characteristics. Example: Latin America, Europe FORMAL REGION 2012, TESCCC A region marked less by its functional structure. Organized around a set of interactions and connections between places. FUNCTIONAL REGION Example: Metropolitan Area 2012, TESCCC Perceptual Region Region in which people perceive the characteristics of the region in the same way. Example: American Midwest 2012, TESCCC Maps & More Maps Maps are geographers most common and useful tool Types of maps and projections Physical maps Political maps Special Purpose maps Cultural characteristics: Population density, infant mortality, literacy, GDP, etc. Physical characteristics: Climate, Vegetation, Precipitation, etc. Why do geographers use each type map? 2012, TESCCC TODALSIGS TODALSIGS is an acronym to help us remember the parts to a good map: T - Title O - Orientation D - Date A - Author L - Legend S - Scale I - Index G - Grid S - Source 2012, TESCCC The Grid System A grid system may use numbers and letters or a system of numbers. A system that uses numbers and letters will have numbers running along the side and letters running along the top of the map (or vise versa). Latitude and Longitude use a series of numbers identified with cardinal directions (N, S, E, W). Latitude: Lines of latitude run horizontal around the globe or a map. They are either North or South of the Equator. Longitude: Lines of longitude run vertically around the globe or map. They are either West or East of the Prime Meridian. 2012, TESCCC Geography means the study of the earth and is also known as the study of the earth as the home of humankind. Four main goals for this class: 1.Identify and analyze patterns, relationships, and processes 2.Examine important geographic problems and their potential solutions 3.Identify and analyze different types of information and connections among data 4.Discuss and interpret current events 5.Develop geographic analytical skills in interpreting places and understanding landscapes. SUMMARY 2012, TESCCC SUMMARY Maps are the geographers most basic and useful tools. To be able to use maps effectively, one must understand their basic language, especially the concepts and terms of scale, coordinate systems, projection, and symbolization. There are a variety of ways in which maps can depict spatial data. 2012, TESCCC