Chapter 1

1. Chapter 1 Section 1: Exploring Geography

2. Objectives: • 1. Explain Absolute and Relative Locations • 2. Analyze the ways in which the earth is divided

3. The Elements of Geography • The root word of Geography comes from the ancient greek word meaning “earth’s description”. • Geographers describe: • The earth’s physical and human features • The interaction of people, places, and environments

4. The elements of Geography • In their work, geographers consider: • The world in spatial terms (location) • Places and regions • Physical systems • Human systems • Environment and society • The uses of geography

5. The World in Spatial Terms • Refers to the links that people and places have to one another because of their location. • Location is a specific place on the earth, or a reference point. (Location is to geographers and dates are to historians) • There are two different types of location. • Absolute • Relative

6. Absolute Location • The absolute location is the exact spot at which the place is found on the globe. • To determine the absolute location, geographers use a network of imaginary lines that circle the earth.

7. Absolute Location • One line is ______________________, the line circling the earth midway between the north and South Poles. • The Equator divides the earth into hemispheres, or two halves (Northern and Southern) • The ____________________, or the 0⁰ north-south line that runs through Greenwich, England, and the 180⁰ north-south line running through the mid-Pacific Ocean also divides the earth into hemispheres (East and West)

8. Absolute Location • These lines of demarcation combined with other lines of longitude and latitude cross one another and form a grid system. • Using the grid, you can name the location of any place on the earth. • This location is generally states in terms of latitude (degrees north or south of the equator) and longitude (degrees north or west of the prime meridian) • We’re at approx 41⁰ N and 76⁰W

9. Relative Location • Relative Location is a places position in relation to another place. • Example: Harvey’s Lake is Northwest of Wilkes-Barre • New Orleans is near the mouth of the Mississippi

10. Places and Regions • A place is a particular space with physical and human meaning. • Geographers often group places into regions based upon similarities. • Geographers identify three types of regions: • Formal (or uniformed) defined by common characteristics • Functional- central place and surrounding areas (ex: LA) • Perceptual- defined by popular images and feelings rather than data (example: the “heartland”)

11. Objectives: • List the different systems • Evaluate the use and study of geography

12. Physical Systems • Physical systems deal with analyzing natural phenomena, such as volcanoes, hurricanes, and floods and how they shape the earth’s surfaces. • Geographers look at how physical features interact with plants and animals to create, support or change ecosystems.

13. Human Systems • Geographers examine how people shape the earth. • A theme in geography is the movement of people, goods, and ideas. • Geographers look at how people compete or cooperate to change or control aspects of the earth to meet their needs.

14. Environment and Society • Human-environment interaction is when geographers examine the ways people use their environment, how and why they have changed it, and what consequences result from these changes. • What are some examples of human-environment interaction?

15. The Uses of Geography What are some of the uses of geography? • How living things developed in the past • Predict future trends • Determine whether an area is suitable for habitation • Population trends

16. Closure • Write down one new thing you learned today.

17. Assignment and Assessment • Section 1 Assessment Page 22 #1-6