Transcript Chapter 5.3

Chapter 5.3
World Languages and Religions
Pg. 100
Geography of Languages
Language is one of the most important areas
of geography.
Languages have spatial characteristics.
They are spoken in specific regions of the
world.
Languages are broken up into families.
Look at pg. 101.
Continued
The language with the most speakers is
Mandarin Chinese.
Speakers of one language might use a
particular dialect. A dialect is a regional
variety of a language.
English is the most widespread language in
the world. Spread because of British
colonization.
Geography of Religion
A key culture trait that binds many societies
together and gives meaning to peoples lives.
Religions differ from place to place and
produce culture traits that can be mapped.
Example: Religious buildings where types
of behavior are required.
Also conflicts between religious groups.
Continued
Geographers identify three main types of
religions.
Ethnic religions focus on one ethnic group
and generally have not spread into other
cultures. They do not seek to convert
people to their religion. Example:
Hinduism.
Continued
Animist religions – believe in the presence
of spirits and the forces of natures.
Polytheism, or the belief in many gods, is
the key to these religions.
Practiced before many of the more modern
religions.
Universalizing religions
Seek followers all over the world.
They hope to appeal to people all over the world.
More than half of the worlds people follow these
religions.
Each is based on monotheism, the belief in one
God.
Also have missionaries that help spread it to all
parts of the world.
Christianity and Islam
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Provides a rhythm to daily life.
In Islamic countries people stop to pray
several times per day.
Islam places of worship are called mosques.
In some places religion has declined. These
are secular, or non religious places.
Continued
Look at pages 104 - 109