Introduction to World GeographyPeriods 1, 2, 3, and 4

Ms. Maitland

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Analyze (or describe) this picture

5 Themes of Geography

• Location– Describes where something is

• Place– Describes physical and human characteristics that make the place

unique• Regions

– Areas that share common characteristics• Movement

– Explains how and why people and things move and are connected• Human-Environment Interaction

– Describes relationship between people and their environment

6 Essential elements of Geography

• The World in Spatial Terms

• Places and Regions• Physical Systems• Human Systems• Environment and

Society• The Uses of Geography

The World in Spatial Terms

• Spatial relationships: links people and places have towards one another based on location

• Absolute location is the exact spot a place is found on earth– Longitude: degrees east or west of the Prime

Meridian– Latitude: degrees north or south of the Equator

• Relative location is when you locate a place in relation to another

Places and Regions

• Every place on Earth has unique characteristics

• Places on Earth are grouped into regions to better understand the complexity of Earth

• The defining characteristics of a region can be:– Physical; climate, landforms, soils, vegetation,

animal life– Human; language, religion, political systems,

economics, population

Physical Systems and Human Systems

• Two branches of Geography:– Physical: focuses on earth’s physical features– Human (or cultural): focuses on human activities and their

relationship to the cultural and physical environments• Geographers also study how natural phenomena

affect Earth’s physical features and also how those physical features interact with plants and animals to influence ecosystems

• Another topic of interest: The migration and settlement patterns of people

Environment and Society

• Geographers examine ways people use their environment, how and why they change it, and the consequences of such changes– Mountains– Dams

• Geographers help people make better decisions about how to interact with their environment

Uses of Geography

Research Methods

• Direct Observation• Mapping• Interviewing• Analyzing Statistics• Using Technology– Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Geography and Other Subjects

• Past Environments and Politics• Society and Culture• Economies