What is Geography???

1. What is Geography??? 5 Themes of Geography

2. The SuperContinent • Pangaea

3. What is Geography? • Geography = the study of people, places and the environment • Geography comes from 2 Greek words • “Geo” = Earth • “graphy” = Writing • Geography = writing about the Earth

4. Two Types of Geography • Physical Geography • Location, Landforms • Cultural Geography • Human Characteristics, Regions, Movement

5. 5 Themes of Geography • 1 - Location • Geography helps you think of things spatially • Where they are located and how they got there.

6. 2 Types of Location • Absolute Location • EXACT place on Earth something can be found using latitude and longitude • Melbourne, Australia = 38N, 145E • Relative Location • Location of one place in relation to another place. • Canada is north of the United States • Giving directions to your house • We use this one the most!!!

7. 5 Themes of Geography • 2 – Place • Changes over time based on human and physical characteristics (features) • Volcanoes erupt, glaciers move, forests burn • People build new cities and expand old cities

8. Physical Characteristics Climate (typical weather over long period) Landforms Bodies of water Plant/animal life Human/Cultural Characteristics Cities, towns, governments, cultural traditions Human created features 2 Types of Place

9. 5 Themes of Geography • 3 – Region • Geographers group places into regions • Region = a group of places that have physical features or human characteristics in common • Geographers compare regions to understand the differences and similarities among them. • Geographer interested in language may group countries based on the language they speak.

10. Natural Regions 10 natural regions based on a unique combination of plant/animal life and climate 2 Types of Regions

12. 2 Types of Regions • Cultural Regions • An area in the world where many people share similar beliefs, history, and languages • There may be multiculturalism in one region – but one overall cultural trait (USA)

14. 4 – Movement The movement of people, goods, ideas as well as plants, animals and other physical features. 5 Themes of Geography

15. Migrate = move from one area to another within a country Immigration = leave one country and move to another country People take with them their customs and ideas Migrate vs. Immigration

17. Push – Pull Theory • Push = problems in one place push people out • Poverty, overcrowding, lack of jobs, schools, prejudice, war • Pull = better opportunities pull people to a new place • Higher standard of living, employment, rights, freedoms, safety • Irish potato famine (1.5 million in 1840’s-1850’s) • Cubans flee for Florida

19. Barriers to Movement • Natural barriers can prevent people from migrating • Difficult • Mountain ranges, canyons, raging rivers • Easier • Oceans, lakes, navigable rivers, flat land

20. 5 Themes of Geography • 5 – Human-Environment Interaction • The interaction between the people and their environment • How people affect their environment & how the environment affects people. • Can be positive and negative • Planting trees, irrigation = positive • Clear-cutting trees = negative • Occurs because humans depend on, adapt to and modify the world around them.

21. Human Adaptation • Humans have often adapted their way of life to their environment • What they wear, eat, do to make a living • Modern technology has made a close adaptation to the environment not as necessary

22. Interaction • People and the environment continually interact with each other • Public transportation • Less gas consumed • Less air pollution • Healthier lives for people