What is Geography?

A Close Look at Geography as a Social Science Discipline

Geography is the scientific and systematic study of both the physical and cultural features of the earth’s surface. It is a spatial perspective looking at patterns and distributions on the earth’s surface.

Questions that “Geography” addresses

     Where are things located?

Why are they important?

How are places related?

How are places connected?

How are humans affected by these locations?

Difference between

Physical Geography and Human or Cultural Geography

       Geomorphology-studies the form and structure of the surface of the earth Climatology-involves the study of long term weather conditions on the earth Hydrography-concerns the distribution of water (oceans, rivers, lakes, and their uses) Biogeography-studies the flora (plant life) and the fauna (animal life) Pedology-study the soils Ecology-studies the interactions between life forms and the environment Geoglogy- study of rocks and the earth’s interior

Physical Geography spheres (Lithosphere, Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, and Biosphere) is the study of the four

           Historical Geography Demography and Population Geography Political Geography-nations, boundaries, geopolitics, military movements, treaties, devolution, choke points and imperialism Geography of Religion Geography of Languages Urban Geography-settlements, cities and transportation systems Economic Geography-Industries, economic development and manufacturing regions Agricultural Geography Medical Geography Social Geography Environmental Geography

Human Geography is the study of the spatial differentiation and organization of human activity on the earth’s surface.

History of Geography

“Four Traditions of Geography”  Earth Science Tradition (physical geography approach)    Locational Tradition (use of satellite imaging-mapping) Cultural-Environment Tradition (impact of deforestation) Area-Analysis Tradition (regional patterns of development)

Development of Geographic Thought

“Why Geography Matters” (DeBlij)  Age of Exploration (China, European, Islamic)    Globalization transportation) (expansion of economic and political activities aided by information technology and Devolution (regions within countries demanding autonomy) Supranationalism (E.E.C., A.P.E.C., N.A.T.O.)   Environmental Degradation Remote Sensing (spy satellites-used in Iraq and Afghanistan)

Development of Geographic Thought

  Regional (Latin America, Subsaharan Africa, Southeast Asia) Systematic (Human Geography, Physical Geography, Historical Geography)

Approaches to the Study of Geography

The Importance of Physical Geography to Human Geography

      Humid Equatorial Climates-no dry season, short dry season, and dry winters Dry Climates-semiarid and arid Humid Temperate Climates-no dry season, dry winter, dry summer Humid Cold Climates-no dry season, dry winter Cold Polar Climate (tundra and ice) Highland Climate (vertical)

Koppen Classification System of Climates (based on rainfall and temperatures)

    Greenhouse Effects- “Global Warming” El Nino-areas of regional warming Soils (fertility and degradation) Global Distribution of Precipitation ◦ Monsoons ◦ Intensity-Regularity

Koppen Classification System

   Ecosystems are living communities of plants and animals that share common characteristics—primarily related to climate, soil, and vegetation.

◦ Abiotic Elements-those that are non-living but that affect systems (water, heat, relief, nutrients, rocks, atmosphere) ◦ Biotic Elements-those living elements of the ecosystem (plants and animals) Food Chains (sequences of consumption) Biomes (large subdivisions of terrestrial ecosystems found in the world)

Ecosystems or Ecological Systems

   Major Global Biomes Desertification and the Sahel The Management of Global Ecosystems ◦ Sustainability-main method of management

Other physical interactions

  Tropical Rainforests-removal of trees results in removal of nutrients for soil, less oxygen produced and more CO-2 remains in the atmosphere Acid Rain-sulfur dioxides and nitrogen oxides emitted from power pollutes lakes and rivers (pollution from Britain and Western Europe has damaged Scandanavia and Eastern European countries: also, pollution from the midwestern states had damaged the Great Lakes and Eastern Canada)

Major Physical Problems

 Collecting Data ◦ Field Studies ◦ ◦ ◦ Secondary Sources (censuses, surveys, maps, and photographs) Since WWII (aerial photography, radar, underwater crafts (bathyspheres) and “Remote Sensing” with satellites. Information obtained from the Landsat satellite is used to map land use, manage forested land, estimate crop prodution, monitoring grazing conditions, access to quality water and protect wildlife Global Positioning System-a series of satellites that provide precise information on location, altitude, and time

Tools and Methods of Geographers

 Cartography-the art and science of creating, using and study of mapping ◦ The map is the most important tool of geography ◦ Maps provide a wealth of factual information such as visual comparisons between areas and geographic features of an area

Tools and Methods of Geographers

 Analyzing Geographic Information ◦ Since the 1950’s geographers have made increasing use of quantitative methods and techniques to analyze data ◦ Quantitative methods have been particularly useful in location theory and population distribution

Tools and Methods of Geographers

 Geographic Information Systems ◦ GIS is a computer technology that manages georeferenced information ◦ GIS allows the analysis of mass amounts of data in a two or three dimensional imaging systems

Tools and Methods of Geographers

Types of Maps Topographic

Tools and Methods of Geographers

Types of Maps ◦ ◦ ◦ Thematic Dot maps Choropleth maps Isoline maps

Tools and Methods of Geographers

Types of Maps Physical

Tools and Methods of Geographers

Types of Maps Political

Tools and Methods of Geographers