Chapt01 Lecture Getis 12e

Introduction to Introduction to Geography Geography Geography Geography

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Professor Cindy Sterling ClarkProfessor Cindy Sterling Clark

Arthur Getis, Judith Getis, & Jerome D. Arthur Getis, Judith Getis, & Jerome D. FellmannFellmann

IntroductionIntroductionChapter 1Chapter 1

OverviewOverview

Organization of the TextbookOrganization of the Textbook

What is Geography?What is Geography?

Evolution of the DisciplineEvolution of the Discipline

Some Core Geographic ConceptsSome Core Geographic Concepts

Geography’s Themes and Geography’s Themes and StandardsStandards

Organization of Organization of TextbookTextbook

Four Traditions (Four Traditions (W.D. Pattison and J. L. W.D. Pattison and J. L. Robinson)Robinson)

11 Earth science tradition (Ch. 3, 4 and 5) - Earth science tradition (Ch. 3, 4 and 5) - Identified with physical geography in Identified with physical geography in general;general;

22 Culture-environment tradition (Ch. 6, 7, 8 Culture-environment tradition (Ch. 6, 7, 8 and 9) - Identified with population, and 9) - Identified with population, cultural, political, and behavioral cultural, political, and behavioral geography;geography;

33 Locational (or spatial) tradition (Ch. 10, 11 Locational (or spatial) tradition (Ch. 10, 11 and 12) - Identified with economic, urban, and 12) - Identified with economic, urban, and environmental geography;and environmental geography;

44 Area analysis (or regional) tradition (Ch. Area analysis (or regional) tradition (Ch. 13) - Regional geography.13) - Regional geography.

Organization of Organization of TextbookTextbook

Four traditionsFour traditionsAll four traditions, though distinctive: All four traditions, though distinctive:

Are intertwined and overlappingAre intertwined and overlapping

Use common set of research skills and tools Use common set of research skills and tools (Ch. 2)(Ch. 2)

What is What is Geography?Geography?

More than place names and locationsMore than place names and locations

The study of spatial variationThe study of spatial variationHow and why things differ from place to How and why things differ from place to place on the surface of the earthplace on the surface of the earthHow spatial patterns evolved through timeHow spatial patterns evolved through timeFocus on the interaction of people and Focus on the interaction of people and social groups with their environment and social groups with their environment and with each otherwith each other

Geography is about earth space and Geography is about earth space and the content of that spacethe content of that space

Six Basic Questions Six Basic Questions Geographers AskGeographers Ask

What is it?What is it?

Where is it?Where is it?

How did it come to be where it is?How did it come to be where it is?

Where is it in relation to other physical or Where is it in relation to other physical or cultural realities that affect it or are cultural realities that affect it or are affected by it?affected by it?

How is it a part of a functioning whole?How is it a part of a functioning whole?

How does its location affect people’s lives?How does its location affect people’s lives?

Jobs/Careers in Jobs/Careers in GeographyGeography

Cartography and Geographic Information Cartography and Geographic Information Systems: Systems: surveyor; map librarian; GIS surveyor; map librarian; GIS specialist for planners, land developers, specialist for planners, land developers, real estate agencies, local government, real estate agencies, local government, utility companies; remote sensing analyst; utility companies; remote sensing analyst; cartographer for federal government.cartographer for federal government.

Physical Geography: Physical Geography: weather forecaster; weather forecaster; outdoor guide; coastal zone manager; outdoor guide; coastal zone manager; hydrologist; soil conservation/agriculture hydrologist; soil conservation/agriculture extension agentextension agent


Environmental Studies: Environmental Studies: environmental environmental manager; forestry technician; park ranger; manager; forestry technician; park ranger; hazardous waste planner.hazardous waste planner.

Cultural GeographyCultural Geography: : Peace Corp volunteer; Peace Corp volunteer; community developer; health care analyst.community developer; health care analyst.

Economic Geography: Economic Geography: real estate real estate agent/broker/appraiser; site selection analyst agent/broker/appraiser; site selection analyst for business and industry; traffic/route delivery for business and industry; traffic/route delivery manager; economic developer researcher; manager; economic developer researcher; market researcher. market researcher.


Urban and Regional PlanningUrban and Regional Planning: : transportation planner; housing, park, and transportation planner; housing, park, and recreation planner; urban and community recreation planner; urban and community planner; health services planner.planner; health services planner.

Regional GeographyRegional Geography: travel agent; travel : travel agent; travel writer; area specialist for federal writer; area specialist for federal government; international business government; international business representative.representative.

Geographic EducationGeographic Education:: overseas teacher; overseas teacher; elementary/secondary school teacher; elementary/secondary school teacher; general geography college professor general geography college professor

Evolution of the Evolution of the DisciplineDiscipline

Ancient Greeks and RomansAncient Greeks and Romans

Term reputedly coined by Term reputedly coined by Eratosthenes from Greek:Eratosthenes from Greek:

geo geo “the earth”“the earth”graphein graphein “to write”“to write”

Herodotus – (c. 484-425 B.C.)Herodotus – (c. 484-425 B.C.)Described Persian EmpireDescribed Persian Empire


Ancient Greeks and RomansAncient Greeks and Romans

Strabo (c. 64 B.C. - A.D. 20)Strabo (c. 64 B.C. - A.D. 20)Described inhabited world, Described inhabited world,

including differencesincluding differences

Ptolemy – 2Ptolemy – 2ndnd Century A.D. Century A.D.Map of world based on previously Map of world based on previously

developed developed latitude/longitude, map latitude/longitude, map accepted in Europe as accepted in Europe as authoritative authoritative for nearly 1500 years for nearly 1500 years

Ptolemy World MapPtolemy World Map


Ancient ChineseAncient ChineseAs involved with geography as Westerners; As involved with geography as Westerners; however no contact with themhowever no contact with them

Muslim scholarsMuslim scholarsPreserved Greek and Roman knowledgePreserved Greek and Roman knowledgeDescribed and analyzed their known world in Described and analyzed their known world in its physical, cultural and regional variationsits physical, cultural and regional variations

European voyages of exploration (15European voyages of exploration (15thth--1616thth Centuries) Centuries)


Modern geographyModern geography

Origins in the surge of scholarly inquiry Origins in the surge of scholarly inquiry that began in 17that began in 17thth century Europe, e.g., century Europe, e.g., Alexander von HumboldtAlexander von Humboldt

By 1900, geography had become By 1900, geography had become distinctive and respected discipline in distinctive and respected discipline in universities throughout Europeuniversities throughout Europe

Profession became increasingly Profession became increasingly specialized into disciplinary subdivisionsspecialized into disciplinary subdivisions


Subfields of Subfields of GeographyGeographyThree dominating themes across Three dominating themes across

subfieldssubfields

Spatial variation of physical and human Spatial variation of physical and human phenomena on the surface of the earthphenomena on the surface of the earth

Systems that link physical phenomena and Systems that link physical phenomena and human activities in one area with other human activities in one area with other areasareas

Human-environmental relationships and Human-environmental relationships and spatial systems in specific locational spatial systems in specific locational settings (known as regional geography)settings (known as regional geography)


Subfields of Subfields of GeographyGeographyRegional geographyRegional geography

Systematic/locational geographySystematic/locational geographyStudy of one or a few related aspects of Study of one or a few related aspects of the physical environment or of human the physical environment or of human populations and societiespopulations and societiesExamines its interrelationships with Examines its interrelationships with other spatial systems and areal patternsother spatial systems and areal patterns

Physical geographyPhysical geographyFocus is on the natural environmentFocus is on the natural environment

Human geographyHuman geographyFocus is on people Focus is on people


Why Geography Why Geography MattersMattersThe only discipline concerned with The only discipline concerned with

understanding why and how both understanding why and how both physical and cultural phenomena physical and cultural phenomena differ from place to placediffer from place to place

Vital to an understanding of national Vital to an understanding of national and international issuesand international issues

Offers a diversity of job opportunitiesOffers a diversity of job opportunities

Some Core Some Core Geographic Geographic ConceptsConceptsGeographers believe that recognizing Geographers believe that recognizing

spatial patterns is the essential spatial patterns is the essential starting point for understanding how starting point for understanding how people live on and shape Earth’s people live on and shape Earth’s surfacesurface

Some Core Some Core Geographic Geographic ConceptsConceptsGeographers use a common store of Geographers use a common store of

concepts, terms and methods of concepts, terms and methods of study:study:

SpaceSpace

PlacePlace

Location Location

DirectionDirection

DistanceDistance

Size and scaleSize and scale

Some Core Some Core Geographic Geographic ConceptsConceptsThe word The word spatial spatial is an essential modifier is an essential modifier

in framing questions and forming in framing questions and forming conceptsconcepts

Geography is a spatial scienceGeography is a spatial science

Geographers are interested in:Geographers are interested in:The way things are distributedThe way things are distributed

The way movements occur andThe way movements occur and

The way processes operate over the surface The way processes operate over the surface of the earthof the earth

Some Core Some Core Geographic Geographic ConceptsConceptsPlacesPlaces have:have:

Location, direction, and distance with respect Location, direction, and distance with respect to other placesto other places

SizeSize

Both physical structure and cultural contentBoth physical structure and cultural content

Attributes that develop and change over timeAttributes that develop and change over time

Content that is structured and explainableContent that is structured and explainable

Elements that interrelate with other placesElements that interrelate with other places

Places may be generalized into regions of Places may be generalized into regions of similarities and differencessimilarities and differences

Some Core Some Core Geographic Geographic ConceptsConcepts

LocationLocationAbsolute locationAbsolute location

Based on a precise and accepted Based on a precise and accepted system of coordinates – system of coordinates – mathematical locationmathematical location

Latitude and longitudeLatitude and longitude

Other grid systems, e.g., street Other grid systems, e.g., street address and township, range and address and township, range and section property descriptionssection property descriptions


LocationLocationRelative locationRelative location

Position in relation to other places Position in relation to other places or thingsor things

Expresses spatial interconnection Expresses spatial interconnection and interdependence of placesand interdependence of places

• May carry social and economic May carry social and economic implicationsimplications

Some Core Some Core Geographic Geographic ConceptsConcepts• LocationLocation

– SiteSite• Physical and cultural characteristics Physical and cultural characteristics

of the place itselfof the place itself• Absolute location conceptAbsolute location concept

– Situation Situation • External relations of a placeExternal relations of a place• Expression of relative locationExpression of relative location

Some Core Some Core Geographic Geographic ConceptsConcepts• DirectionDirection

– Absolute directionAbsolute direction• Based on the cardinal points (N-S-E-W)Based on the cardinal points (N-S-E-W)

– Relative directionRelative direction• Culturally based and locationally Culturally based and locationally

variablevariable– ““Out West”Out West”– ““Back East”Back East”– ““Down South”Down South”– ““Near East”Near East”– ““Far East”Far East”

Some Core Some Core Geographic Geographic ConceptsConcepts• DistanceDistance

– Absolute distanceAbsolute distance• Uses standard units such as miles or Uses standard units such as miles or

kilometerskilometers– Relative distanceRelative distance

• Transforms linear measurements into Transforms linear measurements into other units more meaningful to human other units more meaningful to human experience or decision making, e.g., experience or decision making, e.g., – Time distanceTime distance– Travel costTravel cost– Psychological perception of distance Psychological perception of distance

Some Core Some Core Geographic Geographic ConceptsConcepts• Size and ScaleSize and Scale

– Size (small, medium, large)Size (small, medium, large)Term used by general populationTerm used by general population

– Scale Scale Degree of generalization represented:Degree of generalization represented:• Reference to the size of unit studiedReference to the size of unit studied

– E.g., local , regional or globalE.g., local , regional or global• Relationship between the size of an Relationship between the size of an

area on a map and the actual size of area on a map and the actual size of the mapped area on the surface of the the mapped area on the surface of the earthearth

Some Core Some Core Geographic ConceptsGeographic Concepts• Places have physical and cultural Places have physical and cultural

attributesattributes– Physical attributesPhysical attributes

• Climate, soil, water supplies, mineral Climate, soil, water supplies, mineral resources, terrain features, etc.resources, terrain features, etc.

• Natural landscape attributes help shape – Natural landscape attributes help shape – but do not dictate – how people livebut do not dictate – how people live

– Cultural attributesCultural attributes• Language, religion, industries, food, music, Language, religion, industries, food, music,

etc.etc.• Cultural landscapeCultural landscape– Visible imprint of human activity on the Visible imprint of human activity on the

physical environmentphysical environment


• Attributes of place are always changingAttributes of place are always changing– The physical environment undergoes The physical environment undergoes

continuous and pronounced changecontinuous and pronounced change– Humans alter the environments they occupyHumans alter the environments they occupy

• Pace of change has accelerated Pace of change has accelerated – Built landscape has increasingly Built landscape has increasingly

replaced natural landscapereplaced natural landscape– Places are the present result of the past Places are the present result of the past

operation of distinctive physical and operation of distinctive physical and cultural processescultural processes

Changing Changing LandscapLandscap

ee

Some Core Some Core Geographic Geographic Concepts Concepts

• Interrelations Between PlacesInterrelations Between Places– Spatial interactionSpatial interaction

• The movement of people, goods, The movement of people, goods, information, etc. between different information, etc. between different placesplacesAn indication of interdependence An indication of interdependence between areasbetween areas

Some Core Some Core Geographic Geographic ConceptsConcepts• Interrelations Between PlacesInterrelations Between Places

– Spatial interaction’s core components:Spatial interaction’s core components:• AccessibilityAccessibility– Relative ease with which a destination Relative ease with which a destination

may be reachedmay be reached• ConnectivityConnectivity– All the tangible and intangible ways All the tangible and intangible ways

places are connectedplaces are connected• Spatial diffusionSpatial diffusion– Dispersion of an idea or thing from a Dispersion of an idea or thing from a

center of origin to more distant pointscenter of origin to more distant points

Some Core Some Core Geographic Geographic ConceptsConcepts• Interrelations Between PlacesInterrelations Between Places

– Spatial interaction’s core components:Spatial interaction’s core components:• GlobalizationGlobalization– Increasing interconnection of all parts Increasing interconnection of all parts

of the world as the full range of social, of the world as the full range of social, cultural, political, economic and cultural, political, economic and environmental processes becomes environmental processes becomes international in scale and effect.international in scale and effect.

– Promoted by continuing advances in Promoted by continuing advances in worldwide accessibility and worldwide accessibility and connectivityconnectivity

Some Core Some Core Geographic Geographic ConceptsConcepts• Place Similarity and RegionsPlace Similarity and Regions

– The distinctive characteristics of places – The distinctive characteristics of places – physical, cultural, locational – suggest two physical, cultural, locational – suggest two geographically important ideas:geographically important ideas:• No two places on earth can be exactly the No two places on earth can be exactly the

samesame• The natural and cultural characteristics of The natural and cultural characteristics of

places show patterns of similarity in some places show patterns of similarity in some areas permitting geographers to recognize areas permitting geographers to recognize and define regionsand define regions


• Place Similarity and RegionsPlace Similarity and Regions– RegionsRegions

• Earth areas that display significant Earth areas that display significant elements of internal uniformity and elements of internal uniformity and external differences from surrounding external differences from surrounding territoriesterritories

• Used to classify the complex reality of the Used to classify the complex reality of the earth’s surface into manageable piecesearth’s surface into manageable pieces

Place Place SimilaritSimilarit

y and y and RegionsRegions

Some Core Some Core Geographic Geographic ConceptsConcepts• Types of RegionsTypes of Regions

– Formal (uniform) regionsFormal (uniform) regions• Uniformity in one or a limited combination Uniformity in one or a limited combination

of physical or cultural featuresof physical or cultural features– Functional (nodal) regionsFunctional (nodal) regions

• A spatial system with interdependent A spatial system with interdependent parts that operates as an organizational parts that operates as an organizational unitunit

– Perceptual (vernacular/popular) regionsPerceptual (vernacular/popular) regions• Exist in the perceptions of their Exist in the perceptions of their

inhabitants and the general societyinhabitants and the general society• Reflect feelings and images rather than Reflect feelings and images rather than

objective dataobjective data

Formal RegionFormal Region

Functional RegionFunctional Region

PerceptPerceptual ual

RegionsRegions

Geography’s Geography’s Themes and Themes and StandardsStandards• Five fundamental themesFive fundamental themes

– Formulated by joint committee of Formulated by joint committee of National Council for Geographic National Council for Geographic Education and Association of American Education and Association of American GeographersGeographers

– Basic concepts and topics that recur in Basic concepts and topics that recur in all geographic inquiryall geographic inquiry• LocationLocation• PlacePlace• Relationships within placesRelationships within places• MovementMovement• RegionsRegions

Geography’s Geography’s Themes and Themes and StandardsStandards• National Geography Standards (1994)National Geography Standards (1994)

– 18 standards grouped into six categories18 standards grouped into six categories– The geographically informed person The geographically informed person

knows and understands:knows and understands:• The world in spatial termsThe world in spatial terms• Places and regionsPlaces and regions• Physical systemsPhysical systems• Human systemsHuman systems• Environment and societyEnvironment and society• The uses of geographyThe uses of geography