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Introduction to Cultural GeographyAlso known as Human Geography

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Physical v. Cultural GeographyPhysical Geography Cultural Geography

Rocks/Minerals Population/Settlements/Urbanization

Landforms Economic and Political Systems

Animal and Plant Life Transportation

Soils Human Migration

Atmosphere/Climate/Weather Social Systems

Environment Recreation

Rivers/Oceans/Other bodies of Water Religion/Belief System

Cultural Geography is the study of the Earth’s human landscape.

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• Definition: Shared patterns of learned behavior that are passed on from generation to generation.

• Components:• Beliefs, Values, Customs• Languages, Ethnicity, Religion• Institutions (Economic, Political,

Educational)• Art, Music, and Technology

CULTURE

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•A field that studies spatial aspects of human cultures.

•Major components focus on: Cultural Landscapes

Culture Hearths Cultural Diffusion Culture Regions

CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY

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Cultural Landscape•The composite of human

imprints on the earth’s surface.• Carl Sauer’s definition: “the forms

superimposed on the physical landscape by the activities of man”

from Recent Developments in Cultural Geography, 1927

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Cultural Diffusion: The spreading of a culture element (ex: technological innovation)

Culture Region: Distinct, culturally discrete spatial

unit; a region where certain cultural norms prevail.

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Ethnicity

Q: What is ethnicity?

A: Common racial, national, tribal, religious, linguistic, or cultural origin or background

An Example of Ethnic and Religious Conflict:

The Balkans: Ethnic war between the Croatian Catholics, the Bosnian Muslims, and the Serbian Orthodox.

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Conclusion• Think about your own culture: your belief system,

institutions that you are part of, technology you use everyday.

• Cultures change over time, but the historical aspects are very important for understanding today’s cultures. Culture must be examined from different perspectives.

• Write a half-page reflection on your own culture present in the home. Identify traditions, religion, language, etc.