UNIT I: Intro to Geography

UNIT I:UNIT I:Intro to Intro to

GeographyGeographyCultural EcologyCultural Ecology

AristotleAristotle

““The well-known contrast between the The well-known contrast between the energetic people of the most progressive energetic people of the most progressive parts of the temperate zone and the inert parts of the temperate zone and the inert inhabitants of the tropics and even of inhabitants of the tropics and even of intermediate regions, such as Persia intermediate regions, such as Persia [modern day Iran], is largely due to climate. . [modern day Iran], is largely due to climate. . . .the people of the cyclonic regions rank so . .the people of the cyclonic regions rank so far above those of the other parts of the far above those of the other parts of the world that they are natural leaders.”world that they are natural leaders.”

- What is he saying? Or eluding to?- What is he saying? Or eluding to?

What Geographers What Geographers thought before: thought before: Environmental Environmental DeterminismDeterminism

Just from hearing the term, Just from hearing the term, what do you think this what do you think this

suggest?suggest?

Environmental Environmental DeterminismDeterminism

Human behavior is controlled [determined] by Human behavior is controlled [determined] by the physical environment.the physical environment.

To Aristotle the most ideal climate was that of To Aristotle the most ideal climate was that of Greece.Greece. Today: Climates most suited for Today: Climates most suited for

progress/productiveness in culture, politics or progress/productiveness in culture, politics or technology is that of:technology is that of:

Western EuropeWestern Europe USAUSA

Why? What’s so great about those climates?Why? What’s so great about those climates? Can you think of examples where this does Can you think of examples where this does notnot hold hold

true?true?

Why does Environmental Why does Environmental Determinism not hold true?Determinism not hold true?

People are the decision makers and the People are the decision makers and the modifiersmodifiers – not just slaves of – not just slaves of environmental forces!environmental forces!

People and their cultures shape People and their cultures shape environments, constantly altering the environments, constantly altering the landscape and effecting environmental landscape and effecting environmental systems.systems.

So what do So what do Geographers follow Geographers follow

today if Environmental today if Environmental Determinism doesn’t Determinism doesn’t

hold true?hold true?

PossibilismPossibilism

Just from hearing the term, Just from hearing the term, what do you think that this what do you think that this

suggests?suggests?

PossibilismPossibilism Environment merely serves to limit the Environment merely serves to limit the

range of choices available to a culture.range of choices available to a culture.

Choices that a society makes depends on Choices that a society makes depends on its members’:its members’:

1.1. Things needed by that societyThings needed by that society2.2. Technology availableTechnology available

Today , it is Today , it is possiblepossible to do many things to do many things that are at odds with the environment – that are at odds with the environment – examples?examples?

Case Study in Case Study in Possibilism:Possibilism:New Orleans, LouisianaNew Orleans, Louisiana

Guesses as to how this city is an Guesses as to how this city is an example of Possibilism?example of Possibilism?

““City in a Bowl”City in a Bowl”

Why this locality?Why this locality?

Lake Lake Pontchatrain Pontchatrain to the Northto the North

Mississippi to Mississippi to the Souththe South

What makes this city What makes this city unique?unique?

Originally a Spanish cityOriginally a Spanish city

Ceded to the French in Ceded to the French in 17631763

Louisiana Purchase in Louisiana Purchase in 18031803

Haitian Revolution in Haitian Revolution in 18041804

Current DemographicsCurrent Demographics

As of 2000 – 484,674 As of 2000 – 484,674 people:people: 67.25% African 67.25% African

AmericanAmerican 28.05% Caucasian28.05% Caucasian 2.26% Asian2.26% Asian 3.06% Latino3.06% Latino

When you think of When you think of New Orleans what do New Orleans what do

you think of?you think of?

Hurricane Hurricane Katrina 2005Katrina 2005

What went wrong?What went wrong?

To see the sufferation sicken meTo see the sufferation sicken meThem suit no fit meThem suit no fit meTo wine election they trick weTo wine election they trick weAnd they don’t do nuttin’ at all.And they don’t do nuttin’ at all.

~Damian Marley, ~Damian Marley, Welcome Welcome to Jam-Rockto Jam-Rock

Saturday, August 27Saturday, August 27

5 PM: Gov. Blanco & 5 PM: Gov. Blanco & Mayor Nagin warn Mayor Nagin warn residents of the storm. residents of the storm. Nagin declares a state of Nagin declares a state of emergency, but stops short emergency, but stops short of calling a mandatory of calling a mandatory evacuation.evacuation. WHY?WHY?

10 PM: NHC predicts that 10 PM: NHC predicts that entire Gulf Coast is in entire Gulf Coast is in danger.danger.

Sunday August 28Sunday August 28 1240 AM: Katrina rated 1240 AM: Katrina rated

Category 4Category 4 What does that mean?What does that mean? Hurricane PAMHurricane PAM

8 AM: Superdome is opened 8 AM: Superdome is opened as a shelter of last resort?as a shelter of last resort?

Why do they have to do this?Why do they have to do this? Poverty rate in NOLA: Poverty rate in NOLA:

23.2% (about twice that 23.2% (about twice that of the nation – of the nation – USA USA TodayToday))

What ended up happening What ended up happening here?here?

5 PM: First signs of storm 5 PM: First signs of storm rains on fringerains on fringe

Monday, August 29Monday, August 29 MIDNIGHT: Beachside residents MIDNIGHT: Beachside residents

report foot of water in homes.report foot of water in homes.

3 AM: 173 AM: 17thth St. Canal begins to St. Canal begins to breachbreach What does that mean?What does that mean? Army Corps of EngineersArmy Corps of Engineers

814 AM: Industrial Canal 814 AM: Industrial Canal breaches – flooding Lower 9breaches – flooding Lower 9thth Ward (6-8 ft. of flooding)Ward (6-8 ft. of flooding) Why is this ward important?Why is this ward important?

645 PM: Coast Guard begins 645 PM: Coast Guard begins rescues with rescues with onlyonly 7 helicopters 7 helicopters

8PM: Gov. Blanco pleads for 8PM: Gov. Blanco pleads for help from Pres. Bushhelp from Pres. Bush

Tuesday, August 30Tuesday, August 30 By end of day: 20,000 in By end of day: 20,000 in

SuperdomeSuperdome

6 AM: Area surrounding 6 AM: Area surrounding Superdome has 3 ft. of water.Superdome has 3 ft. of water.

10 AM: Sandbags being used 10 AM: Sandbags being used to aid breachesto aid breaches

1053 AM: Nagin declares 1053 AM: Nagin declares mandatory evacuation.mandatory evacuation.

407 PM: House Speaker tells 407 PM: House Speaker tells Pres Bush: Pres Bush:

“ “the People of Mississippi are the People of Mississippi are flat on their backs. They are flat on their backs. They are going to need your help.” going to need your help.”

Why didn’t Why didn’t people leave?people leave?

Wednesday, August 31Wednesday, August 31 78,000 of NOLA residents 78,000 of NOLA residents

are living in sheltersare living in shelters

Superdome = 26,000Superdome = 26,000

9 AM: Gov. Blanco 9 AM: Gov. Blanco continues to call Pres.continues to call Pres.

11 AM: Superdome is 11 AM: Superdome is closed, people go to closed, people go to Convention CenterConvention Center

NOON: Water finally stops NOON: Water finally stops risingrising

3 PM: Pres. Bush meets for 3 PM: Pres. Bush meets for only only one hour in D.C. to one hour in D.C. to discuss disasterdiscuss disaster

Thursday, September 1Thursday, September 1 4,000 People stranded 4,000 People stranded

on I-10: many are on I-10: many are elderly and elderly and withoutwithout Rx. Rx.

Convention Center = Convention Center = 15-20,00015-20,000

2 AM: 12 AM: 1stst Evacuees to Evacuees to Houston arriveHouston arrive

2 PM: Mayor Nagin 2 PM: Mayor Nagin delivers ultimatum to delivers ultimatum to rest of the country on rest of the country on CNNCNN

Mayor Nagin on CNNMayor Nagin on CNN

““I need reinforcements. I need troops I need reinforcements. I need troops man. I need five hundred buses, man. I need five hundred buses, man. This is a national disaster. man. This is a national disaster. I’ve talked directly with the I’ve talked directly with the President. I’ve talked to the head of President. I’ve talked to the head of Homeland Security. I’ve talked to Homeland Security. I’ve talked to everybody under the sun.”everybody under the sun.”

Friday, September 2Friday, September 2 National Guard troops = National Guard troops =

19,500; 6500 in NOLA19,500; 6500 in NOLA

455 AM: Gould CNN 455 AM: Gould CNN correspondent calls it a correspondent calls it a “genocide” and says: “genocide” and says: “Okay, so we got to sit by “Okay, so we got to sit by and watch 4 or 5 more and watch 4 or 5 more elderly sick people die or elderly sick people die or some—another baby die, some—another baby die, or whatever, while they’re or whatever, while they’re making up their minds to making up their minds to come in.”come in.”

230 PM: Pres. Bush 230 PM: Pres. Bush makes it to NOLAmakes it to NOLA

Saturday, September 3Saturday, September 3 Katrina has impacted Katrina has impacted

90,000 sq. mi. – size of 90,000 sq. mi. – size of Great BritainGreat Britain

215 AM: Evacuation 215 AM: Evacuation of Superdome almost of Superdome almost completecomplete

NOON: Buses arrive NOON: Buses arrive to Convention Centerto Convention Center

547 PM : Superdome 547 PM : Superdome is empty.is empty.

FEMA?FEMA?

What is it or what was it What is it or what was it supposed to do?supposed to do?

Ethel FreemanEthel Freeman

Paper Paper AssignmentAssignment

Although Possibilism allows for humans to Although Possibilism allows for humans to virtually build anything anywhere, is it virtually build anything anywhere, is it really worthwhile for the city of New really worthwhile for the city of New

Orleans to rebuild the levees/city after the Orleans to rebuild the levees/city after the wreckage of Hurricane Katrina – why or wreckage of Hurricane Katrina – why or

why not?why not?

Lil Wayne &Lil Wayne &Hollygrove, NOLAHollygrove, NOLA

Interview with Tony Zumbado – Interview with Tony Zumbado –

CNN correspondentCNN correspondent