Cultural Geography

Concepts of Culture

Cultural Traits - a single attribute of a culture

Folk Culture

Traditional ways of life

Often celebrated as part of a national or ethnic heritage

Usually only still followed in more isolated rural community

Pop Culture

Pop culture is spread by the media◦ TV◦ Movies◦ internet

Global uniformity

Anglo America Latin America Europe Russia & former

Soviet Union Middle - East

Sub-Saharan Africa

South Asia Southeast Asia East Asia Oceania

Cultural Regions and Realms

Anglo-America

US & Canada◦ British origins◦ Immigrant

traditions◦ Similar economic

development◦ Skylines of

concrete and steel

Latin America

Mexico and Central America

The Caribbean South America Most of the region

shares a language and a religion

Spanish colonial period creates similarities

Europe

West & North◦ More developed

Eastern Europe◦ Transition & tension

Mediterranean◦ Tradition v. industry

European Union Christian tradition

Russia and Eastern Europe Different

orientation than the rest of Europe

Multi-national societies

Struggles with Russian dominance

Ukraine, Caucasus

Middle East

SW Asia, North Africa, Cent. Asia

Arid Climates Oil production

region Tension between

religious groups Battle between

modern & traditonal

Sub-Saharan Africa

Dominated by tropical climates

Poaching v. Preservation

Borders set by European countries

Tribe v. Country A mix of traditional

and colonial Struggles for

development

South Asia

Traditionally dominated by Indian cultural ideas

Birthplace of religions

Religious and ethnic differences cause tension

East Asia

Generally modern high-tech economies

Hearth of cultures (Eastern philosophies)

Lots of tension because of historical Chinese dominance

Southeast Asia

Peninsulas and archipelagos

Mainland is mostly Buddhist

Islands are mostly Islamic

Hindu and Christian pockets

Oceania

Australia New Zealand Pacific Islands

◦ Micronesia◦ Melanesia◦ Polynesia

Language Religion Social Groupings Gender Traditions of Government Economic Activities

Elements of Culture

Language

A common language is a unifying factor

Language families are made up of languages with similar roots

Religion

Religion helps provide a sense of identity

Religion influences the arts and architecture

Major World Religons

Christianity Islam Hinduism Buddhism Judaism

Religion

Universalizing Religions – can appeal to anyone◦ Christianity◦ Islam◦ Buddhism

Ethnic Religions – generally only for those born into it◦ Hinduism◦ Judaism

Social Groupings

Culture can be based on socio-economic status

Culture is also based on ethnicity

Gender

Gender roles vary from culture to culture

Gendered space makes for different realities within cultures

Traditions of Government The traditions of

government in a country help define cultural traditions

democracy dictatorship

Economic Activities

The activities the national economy is based on will impact culture.

More developed countries usually abandon traditional ways of life