Six concepts of geography

1. Six concepts of geography

2. Geography is the study of the earth and its features (physical environment) and of the distribution of life on the earth, including human life (human environment), and how these environments interact with each other

3. Global geography is a two-way interaction between the human and natural worlds that reveals their interconnectedness: • Mining and harvesting other natural resources are human activities that affects the natural environment • Hurricanes are a process of the natural world that affects human communities Mining Pollution Hurricane Katrina Damage

4. The geographic method of study has six fundamental concepts: • Location • Region • Spatial Pattern • Spatial Interaction • Human / Environmental Interaction • Culture

5. Location • We often ask “Where did it happen?” • Absolute • Grid references, latitude, longitude, address • Relative • The use of landmarks, i.e. 400 metres past the football pitch • Time reference, i.e. About 10 minutes down highway #102 • Compass Direction, i.e. Travel SW until you reach Smiths Road Brunswick Street in Halifax after White Juan, the Blizzard of 2004

6. Region • A distinctive part of the earth that has consistent or easily recognizable physical or cultural features such as: • coastal regions • rainforests • resource base (corn belt) • political structure and political boundaries • ethnic regions • cultural regions (religion, language) • income (LLDC’s, LDC’s, and MDC’s) • The scale or size of a region can vary greatly i.e. Annapolis Valley or North America could both be regions used in a geographic study We live in the region often referred to as Atlantic Canada

7. Spatial Pattern • Most of the events that geographers study can be found in more than one location or region in the world – this is what is referred to as spatial distribution • A Spatial pattern is when geographers can find a pattern of the same event in places that are far apart • Examples: • Expensive suburbs are usually built far away from industry or landfill sites is a spatial pattern occurring in most North American cities Prevailing winds push sulphur dioxide emissions from factories in a particular direction causing forests to be damaged from the effects of acid rain

8. Spatial Interaction • An event in one location or region can lead to change in another location or region; impacting another region either positively or negatively • Examples: • Forest fires in British Columbia’s interior caused hazy skies near Vancouver (500 km) • AIDS and other diseases can travel to other parts of the World very quickly due to technology (travel) Offshore oil spills have profound effects on marine life

9. Human / Environmental Interaction • Impact of the environment on humans and the impact of humans on the environment: • Dependence - We depend on natural resources • Adaptation - We adapt to climate (winter coats) and to landforms (rivers, mountains) • Modification - How we change the environment to suit our needs (canals for irrigation, dykes to prevent flooding of farmland) • In contrast to other spatial interactions, this type has impacts that are local; this means they are not usually noticed thousands of kilometres away

10. Culture • Different cultures have different views on the environment, and on the use of natural resources, and the best ways of living in human communities. • Culture can vary greatly within a small region Example: • Rural and urban views on rainfall Rain for rural farmers is very welcome while people living in urban areas view rain as inconvenient

11. Assignment – Six Geographic Concepts • Create six spaces on a blank, oversized sheet of paper. You may use any type of configuration you like. Be creative!!! • Use your own words and some sort of visual to explain each of the six concepts. • You must have a title, use colour, include your full name and course block • Criteria For Assessment:

12. Example...