What is Geography?

1. What is Geography? AP Human Geography

2. Geography is… • Geo (Earth) + Graphy(write)= geography • The study of where things are found on the Earth’s surface and why they are located there. • Why is what where? • Two main branches: • Physical • Human

3. Physical vs. Human Geography Physical Human The study of where and why human activities are located. How do humans interact with the physical world? How does the physical world shape human beliefs, customs, etc. • The study of where and why natural forces occur. • Climates, landforms, vegetation, etc. • While not the focus of our class, we cant understand human geo without understanding physical geo.

4. Globalization vs. Local Diversity Globalization Local Diversity Characteristics that make each place unique Elements of culture that you can only find in a certain place. Threated by globalization • Brings people from far away places together • Increases communication between people • Spread of culture from powerful/ influential to less powerful/ influential

5. Globalization or local diversity?

6. Geographers answer this question… • Why is whatwhere? • Huh?

7. What is what? • What can be anything…. • People (racial, ethnic groups) • Places (cities, fast food restaurants) • Objects (tall buildings) • Natural phenomena (hurricanes, volcanoes) • Beliefs systems (religion, political)

8. What is where? • Where is any area or point on the Earth’s surface, large or small. • Africa • Southwest Asia • Canada • Paris • Southside of Chicago • 95th and Michigan • 9652 S. Michigan Ave. • Harlan Room 207 : )

9. Why + What + Where • Why are tall buildings (what) located in downtown Chicago (where)?

10. Why + What + Where • Why do people in certain parts of Canada (where) speak French (what)?

11. Why + What + Where • Why are fast food restaurants (what) more common that grocery stores on the Westside of Chicago (where)?

12. Why + What + Where • Why are most major cities (what) located near bodies of water (where)?

13. Why + What + Where • Why are African Americans(what) located in the South and Northern cities(where)?

14. This week… • We will begin to examine how human geographers think about the world. • Key Issue: How do geographers describe where things are?

15. What is Geography? Pt. 2

16. Branches of Geography Physical Human Studies the interaction between people and the natural features of the Earth. Farming, cities, culture, migration patterns, habitat, political boundaries. • Studies the physical/ natural features of the Earth. • Mountains, rivers, tectonic plates, oceans, volcanoes, natural resources.

17. 5 Themes of Geography • Used to help us understand the links between people and the Earth. • M ovement • R egion • L ocation • I nteraction • P lace • Remember MR. LIP!

18. Movement • Examines the movement of people, goods, and ideas. • Movements often occur together. • How did Christianity end up in America? • Why do Mexicans speak Spanish? • Why is Polish sausage popular in Chicago?

19. Region • An area with similar and unifying characteristics. • Similarities may be physical (ie Rocky mts.) • Similarities may be cultural, political, or economic (ie the Muslim world) • What are some regional characteristics of the Midwest U.S.?

20. Location • The position of a place on the Earth’s surface. • Can be relative (Harlan is in Chicago) or exact (Harlan is located at 9652 S. Michigan Ave.) • How else could you describe the relative location of Harlan?

21. Interaction • Studies the relationship between people and their environment. • How to people use the Earth’s resources to satisfy their needs? • Water for irrigation, land for farming, trees to build houses, oil as fuel. • What are potential negative outcomes to human interaction with the Earth?

22. Place • The physical and human characteristics of a location. • Describe Chicago…

23. Parts of a Map • Compass Rose- shows direction on a map. • Scale- shows what a distance on a map is actually equal to on Earth. • Key- tells us what the map symbols mean.

24. Lines of Latitude • Lines of latitude run EAST-WEST across a map. • They measure distance NORTH or SOUTH of the Equator, which is 0 degrees latitude.

25. Lines of Longitude • Lines of Longitude run from the NORTH pole to the SOUTH pole. • They measure distance EAST or WEST of the Prime Meridian, which is 0 degrees longitude.

26. Latitude and Longitude

27. Different Types of Maps • Physical Maps • Show features such as mountains, plains, rivers and oceans. • Focus is on natural features…not cities, countries, and borders.

28. Different Types of Maps • Political Maps • The focus is on cities, countries, states, and borders.

29. Different Types of Maps Thematic Maps • These maps focus on themes such as population density or weather, for example.

30. Different Types of Maps • Historical Maps • Shows how a certain area has changed over time. • Shows what a certain area used to look like.

31. Different Types of Maps • The Globe • A globe is the most accurate representation of the Earth because it is round like the Earth. • A globe shows us the truest sizes of land and bodies of water.