Chapter 1: This is Geography Unit 1
Why Is Geography a Science? Defining geography: Word coined by Eratosthenes Geo = Earth Graphia = writing Geography thus means earth writing
Why Is Geography a Science? Introducing Geography Place Specific point on earth Absolute vs. relative location Region Are of Earth defined by one or more characteristics Scale Relationship between the portion of Earth being studied and Earth as a whole Space Physical gap/interval between two objects Connections Relationships among people and objects How do these connections occur?
Why Is Geography a Science? Cartography Two purposes As reference tools To find locations, to find one s way As communications tools To show the distribution of human and physical features
GPS vs. GIS See other notes Why Is Geography a Science?
Why Is Geography a Science? Map Scale The scale of a map shows the distance and detail of an area. Small scale: large area, not much detail Ex: Map of the country Large scale: small area, lots of detail Ex: Map of your house Ratio scale: 1: 10,000 One inch = 10,000 miles Bar Scale Written Scale: One inch is equal to ten thousand miles
Why Is Geography a Science? Types of Maps See Kaplan Review The Geographic Grid Latitude Lines: these lines show direction North and South of the Equator. Run horizontally across a map Sometimes called parallels 0 degrees to 90 degrees (north and south)
Why Is Geography a Science? The Geographic Grid Longitude Lines: these lines show direction East and West of the Prime Meridian. Run vertically across a map Sometimes called meridians 0 degrees to 180 degrees (east and west)
Why Is Each Point on Earth Unique Place: A Unique Location Place names Toponym Site Situation Mathematical location
Why Is Each Point on Earth Unique Region: A Unique Area Formal (uniform) regions Example: South Carolina Functional (nodal) regions Interactions and connections between places Usually involves a hub and then links places to that Example: the circulation area of a newspaper Vernacular (cultural) regions How people perceive the region in some way Example: the American South
Why Is Each Point on Earth Unique Culture Origin from the Latin cultus, meaning to care for Two aspects: What people care about Beliefs, values, and customs What people take care of Earning a living; obtaining food, clothing, and shelter
Why Are Different Places Similar? Scale: Global and Local Globalization Economic globalization Transnational corporations Cultural globalization A global culture?
Why Are Different Places Similar? Space: Distribution of Features Distribution three features Density Arithmetic Physiological Agricultural Concentration Pattern Space: Cultural Identity
Why Are Different Places Similar? Space: Inequality Poststructuralist geography Humanistic geography Behavioral geography Unequal Access
Why Are Different Places Similar? Connections: Diffusion Assimilation Acculturation Syncretism What is diffusion? The process by which a characteristic spreads across space and over time Hearth = source area for innovations Two types of diffusion Relocation Expansion
Why Are Different Places Similar? Types of Diffusion: Relocation/Migration Diffusion Physical spread of cultures, ideas, and diseases through people Characteristics spread due to the movement of people from one place to another Expansion Diffusion Spread of a characteristic from a central node/hearth through various means Have a central point from which the characteristic spreads 3 types: hierarchical, contagious, stimulus
Why Are Different Places Similar? Types of Diffusion: Hierarchical Phenomenon spreads as a result of a group, usually an elite group, spreading ideas/patterns through society Political leaders, entertainment leaders, sports stars Think: clothing trends
Why Are Different Places Similar? Types of Diffusion: Contagious Usually associated with disease Influenza Doesn t matter your race, social status, etc Rapid Internet and the spreading of ideas Instantaneously get information
Why Are Different Places Similar? Types of Diffusion Stimulus Takes part of an idea and spreads that idea to create an innovative product Cloud technology (dropbox, Google Drive, etc.) Cell phones ( smart phones : iphones, Android, etc.)
Why Are Different Places Similar? Connections: Spatial Interaction Network Distance decay Space-time compression
Why Are Some Actions Not Sustainable? Geography, sustainability, and resources 3 Illars of Sustainability Environment Pillar Society Pillar Economy Pillar
Why Are Some Actions Not Sustainable? Sustainability and Earth s physical systems Biotic vs. abiotic Atmosphere Hydrosphere Lithosphere Biosphere
Why Are Some Actions Not Sustainable? Geography, sustainability, and ecology Ecology and the biosphere Integrating culture and ecology
EXTRA INFORMATION: BOUNDARIES Geometric Lines of latitude and longitude 49 th parallel between the US and Canada Antecedent boundary: existed before human settlement of the area; settlement followed the boundary 49 th parallel: people who wanted to live in the US settled south, people who wanted to live in Canada settled north
Physical Mountains Rivers Deserts Oceans EXTRA INFORMATION: BOUNDARIES
EXTRA INFORMATION: BOUNDARIES Ethnic/Cultural Language Religion Ethnicity Subsequent Boundaries: develop along with cultural boundaries This type of border drawn to accommodate religious, cultural, economic differences
EXTRA INFORMATION: BOUNDARIES Superimposed Political boundary that ignores existing the cultural organization on the landscape. Authority, superpower, delegation of superpowers to satisfy the authority s needs rather than the needs of the area 38 th parallel between North and South Korea