Chapter 1

Section 1:Exploring Geography

Objectives:

• 1. Explain Absolute and Relative Locations

• 2. Analyze the ways in which the earth is divided

The Elements of Geography

• The root word of Geography comes from the ancient greek word meaning “earth’s description”.

• Geographers describe:– The earth’s physical and human features– The interaction of people, places, and

environments

The elements of Geography

• In their work, geographers consider:– The world in spatial terms (location)– Places and regions– Physical systems– Human systems– Environment and society– The uses of geography

The World in Spatial Terms

• Refers to the links that people and places have to one another because of their location.

• Location is a specific place on the earth, or a reference point. (Location is to geographers and dates are to historians)

• There are two different types of location.– Absolute– Relative

Absolute Location

• The absolute location is the exact spot at which the place is found on the globe.

• To determine the absolute location, geographers use a network of imaginary lines that circle the earth.

Absolute Location

• One line is ______________________, the line circling the earth midway between the north and South Poles.

• The Equator divides the earth into hemispheres, or two halves (Northern and Southern)

• The ____________________, or the 0⁰ north-south line that runs through Greenwich, England, and the 180⁰ north-south line running through the mid-Pacific Ocean also divides the earth into hemispheres (East and West)

Absolute Location

• These lines of demarcation combined with other lines of longitude and latitude cross one another and form a grid system.

• Using the grid, you can name the location of any place on the earth.– This location is generally states in terms of latitude

(degrees north or south of the equator) and longitude (degrees north or west of the prime meridian)

– We’re at approx 41⁰ N and 76⁰W

Relative Location

• Relative Location is a places position in relation to another place. – Example: Harvey’s Lake is Northwest of Wilkes-

Barre– New Orleans is near the mouth of the Mississippi

Places and Regions

• A place is a particular space with physical and human meaning.

• Geographers often group places into regions based upon similarities.

• Geographers identify three types of regions:– Formal (or uniformed) defined by common characteristics– Functional- central place and surrounding areas (ex: LA)– Perceptual- defined by popular images and feelings rather

than data (example: the “heartland”)

Objectives:

• List the different systems

• Evaluate the use and study of geography

Physical Systems

• Physical systems deal with analyzing natural phenomena, such as volcanoes, hurricanes, and floods and how they shape the earth’s surfaces.

• Geographers look at how physical features interact with plants and animals to create, support or change ecosystems.

Human Systems

• Geographers examine how people shape the earth.

• A theme in geography is the movement of people, goods, and ideas.

• Geographers look at how people compete or cooperate to change or control aspects of the earth to meet their needs.

Environment and Society

• Human-environment interaction is when geographers examine the ways people use their environment, how and why they have changed it, and what consequences result from these changes.

• What are some examples of human-environment interaction?

The Uses of Geography

What are some of the uses of geography?- How living things developed in the past- Predict future trends- Determine whether an area is suitable for

habitation- Population trends

Closure

• Write down one new thing you learned today.

Assignment and Assessment

• Section 1 AssessmentPage 22 #1-6