Transcript World Geography

World Geography
SSWG1
The students will explain the physical
aspects of geography.
Physical Geography
Is the study of how physical characteristics ( land,
climate, bodies of water, animal life and etc).
A place is an are of land that shares common
features or id defined by common
characteristics.
For Example: The Appalachia region is the portion
of the US in North Carolina South Carolina,
Georgia Kentucky, West Virginia and Virginia
that is part of the Appalachian Mountains. )
define by it mountainous surrounding and
distinct mountain culture)
Life
The way people live is often determined by
climate and physical features of their
environment. In the mountains of West
Virginia, coal mining has long been a way
of life for many people because of the
abundant resources of coal in the area.
Human Geography
Human characteristics include language, religion, political
systems and economic systems, population and way of
life.
Population settlement patterns refer to the types of people
who live in a place.
The population of a region and its culture play a key role in
defining a place geographically.
Example: Southeastern US- regions geography id ideal of
raising crops like tobacco, sugar, rice and cotton. Prior to
1865, South relied heavily on African slaves to work
large agricultural plantations that maintained its
economy. Today slavery is outlaw but a good number of
African Americans still in the South and help define its
culture and economy,.
Human Activities
Define a place
Agriculture is prominent in much of the Midwestern
United States because the climate makes it ideal
for farming.
Northeast and parts of the northern Midwest are
know for industries like automobile and steel
manufacturing.
Southern cities continue to grown in importance as
center of international business and banking.
SSWG2
Cultural Aspects of Geography
Culture
Is the system of shared beliefs, values,
customs, behaviors that transmitted from
generation to generation. Some aspects of
culture are religion, language, art, music
clothing and manners.
Example- In many cultures, Senior citizens
are revered and ancestors are even
worshipped.
Nomadic Lifestyles
People of Africa’s desert( Sahara Desert in
Africa) and plains regions have
traditionally led nomadic lifestyles meaning
they often move from location to location
in search of fresh water supplies and
areas for their livestock to graze. Religions
practiced in these desert region often
depict Paradise as a place of abundant
water supplies, because water is so
scarce and valued among such people.
Impact of Culture
People who live on island, near ocean
coasts, or along major rivers, like the Nile
in Africa or the Amazon in South America
usually have culture which rely heavily on
these bodies of water.
Japan tend to rely on a diet that features
large amounts of seafood.
Physical Impacts on Culture
Physical features( water, climate) impact culture
by determining what resources are and what kid
of shelter and clothing will be available.
Climate often determines how people dress, how
much they migrate, what kinds of crops thy can
grown and how much they must modify their
lifestyle based on different seasons of the year.
Cultural Characteristics Define
Place
Customs and Traditions- ways of doing
things passed down form one generation
of a people groups or society to the next.
Examples: wedding rituals, burial
ceremonies, traditional celebration and
holidays, methods of showing respect, the
manner in which business is conducted,
rites of passage from child hood to
adulthood.
Sample Questions WG.1and 2
Lakes, mountains, oil reserves, deserts, and open plains are all
a.
Aspects of culture
b.
Physical characteristics of geography
c.
Human characteristics of geography
d.
Physical characteristics of culture
The way a particular society conducts weddings, expects honorable
people to carry on business, and who it views as the most
important citizens are all examples of
a.
Physical geography
b.
Cultural religions
c.
Customs and traditions
d.
Population settlement patterns
SSWG3
North Africa and Southwest Asia
Together= Middle East
Similarities in climate and culture.
Complex area with a fascinating and violent
history.
Closeness to Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean and
Mediterranean Sea- links three continentsimportant terms of commerce and world tradefought wars in region trying to secure trade
routes and protect themselves
North Africa
Variety of physical features.
Mountains-three main
Deserts ( areas receiving less than 10
inches of rainfall per year) . Saharaworld’s largest desert
Sahel-belt of dry grasslands south of he
Sahara desert
Bodies of Water
Persian Gulf- important for trade and military purposes
Strait of Hormuz-narrow waterway connecting the Persian
Gulf to Arabian Sea-export oil supplies from here-receive
goods from other foreign nations
Mediterranean Sea- largest body of water in the regionaccess to travel and trade
Tigris and Euphrates- important rivers- home to some of
the oldest civilizations ( beginning of civilization) in the
world-important water travel and trade- they meet in IraqNile River- longest rive in the world-flows north provides
water and nutrients to grow crops
Sinai and Suez
Sinai Peninsula- land bridge between North Africa
and Southwest Asia-connects the two regions
Suez Canal- man-made waterway connecting the
Mediterranean and Red Seas-crucial waterway
allowing ships to sail from one sea to the other
without having to go all the way around Arica.trade and travel
Climate
Southwest Asia and North Africa-dry with
deserts ( nomads)
Oasis- fertile areas within desert regions that
provide water and vegetation
The Impact of Religion
Three Major Religions-monotheism- belief in
one gad
Judaism-looks to ancient prophet Abraham
as its founder-oldest-teaches that the
Jewish people are God’s chosen nations
Christianity- founder is Jesus-Bible
Islam- the youngest religion- Mohammed is
the founder- Koran
Conflicts Over Culture
Traditional societies- customs and traditionlawsSome Westernized- not traditional –more
like US
Terrorism-violence against innocent people
in the name of a cause
SSWG4
Sub-Saharan Africa
Portion of the continent below North Africa (highlandsnorth and west and lowlands-north and east)
East African Mountains-farmers depend on mountains for
water from snowfallMount Kilimanjaro-highest mountain
Great Rift Valley- has huge lakes-Lake Victoria-largest lake
and second larges freshwater lake in the world
Nile River
Congo River-major means of travel and trade for interior
Zambezi River- waterfall- Victoria Falls
Climate
Desert Climate- hot and little rain
Semiarid-high temperatures a little more rain
Tropical climate- rainy and dry season
Savanna- flat grassland
Equatorial-high temperatures and rainrainforest.
People
Population distribution- where people live- affected
by physical features and climate
Major cities along waterways and coastal regions
Dry and Rainforests- less people
Urbanization – growth and development of cities
Modernization- process of a society leaving
primitive methods behind to adopt more modern
techniques
More advanced technology, better job
opportunities and the ability to live a more
modern life- attract many people to cities.
The Rest of Asia
South Asia-Bangladesh, Bhutan, India,
Nepal, Pakistan Maldives, Sri Lanka
Southeast Asia-Brunei, Cambodia,
Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar,
Philippines Singapore, Thailand and
Vietnam
Eastern Asia-Japan, China, Korea
WWG5
South Asia
Northern Mountain Rim- include Hindu Kush and
Himalayas ( tallest mountains on earth)-location
of Mt. Everest
Northern Plains – Indus and Ganges run through
plains- agriculture
Deccan Plateau- large portion- rich mineral
deposits- home of elephants
Sri Lanka and the Maldives- beautiful islandsvulnerable to natural disasters
Climate
Three Main Seasons
Cool-high elevations
Rainy-tropical-monsoon season
Hot-tropical –southern India
SSWG5
Southeast Asia
Physical Features
Mainland- Malay and Indochinese
peninsulas
Mekong River-longest river
Land-Locked- surrounded by land- Laos
Archipelagos- group of island in Season (
Singapore, Borneo, Philippines and
Indonesia)
Climate
Two Seasons
Rainy-mid to late summer-farming
Dry
SSWG5
Eastern Asia
Physical Features
China- largest country
Most of China is covered by Himalayas
Plateau of Tibet- highest plateau in the world-northwest part of China
Taklimakan and Gobi desert-northwest part
Major Rivers- Huang He-nickname yellow river-causes floods, Chang
Jiang- longest ,Xi Jiang
Japan- country of islands- four main island0
Mount Fuji- tallest mountain ( Ring of Fire- high volcanic activity)
Korea- peninsula bordering northwest Chins- object of Japanese
military invasion ( because west of Japan) North Korea- communist
and South Korea- capitalist democracy
Climate
China- some part have subtropical while
northern and mountainous areas snowfall
and freezing
China’s major rivers help provide fertile landfarming
Japan- covered in forest and mountainsmonsoons play a major role in the climate
Korea- hot, humid summers and winter that
are cold and day
Population and Climate
Climate and topography affect where people live in a given region and the type
of culture that develops.
The Himalayas, other mountain ranges , and often bodies of water act as
natural barriers that have contributed over centuries to the development of
diverse cultures in various areas. Few people live in mountain areas and
desert areas
Urban areas – developed along coast and rivers – provide trade and travel
Most people who live in Southern and Eastern Asian countries- live in the
countryside
Quality of life in different nation varies greatly
Japan- major capitalist and industrialized nation- wealthy nation
China- cities packed and rural population struggle-is developing at a fast pace
India-country- poor and cities industrialized
South Korea- capitalist nation- prosperous economy
North Korea- poverty and live under totalitarian socialist regime
Practice Questions
The Himalayas are part of the
a.
Deccan Plateau
b.
Island of Southeast Asia
c.
Larges Muslim nation in the world
d.
Northern Mountain Rim
China, Japan and Korea are
a.
The three major countries of Eastern Asia
b.
The three major countries of South Asia
c.
Island nations in Eastern Asia
d.
Nations outside the “Ring of Fire”
Urbanization and modernization means that large populations tend to live in
a. cities
b. rural areas
c. mountainous regions
d. deserts
SSWG6
Europe-second largest continent
Physical Features- surrounded by several major bodies of
water ( Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, and Mediterranean
Sea)
Peninsula -land surrounded on three sides by water)-good
many of them- Iberian ,Scandinavian
Ural Mountains-natural barrier dividing Europe
Most of Europe is mountainous ( Alps and Pyrenees) –
serve as barriers for different cultures
The Great European Plain- rich farmland
Major Rivers- Rhine, Danube, Volga
Climate
Siberian Tundra- region has wide-open
spaced covered with ice and snow by the
year-round freezing temperatures
Alps and Pyrenees- act as natural barrier
between regions of Europe
Winter in high elevation very cold
Coastal areas- milder climate
Population, Economic
Development and World Influence
Europe’s geography has greatly impacted it stability to develop and
influence the rest of the world.
Europe’s mountain ranges serve as a natural barrier, many nations
developed on the same continent. Pyrenees separate the people of
Spain and Portugal form France and Germanic people.
Water serves as a barrier. The UK sits on island just off the coast of
mainland Europe.
Europe- birthplace of industrial revolution
Today Western Europe( nations that remained free of communist rules
after WWII) continues to prosper and be an important center of
international business
Eastern Europe( national that fell under the rule of the USSR and its
communist government after WWII_ has suffered economically.
Ethnically diverse- people from many different background and they all
live close to one another in the cities
Urban areas- large areas where people live and work
European Union
Group of European nations that have joined
ranks to encourage economic and political
progress. Euro-common currency
Practice Questions
Southern Europe is best described as
a. extremely cold
b. similar to Africa’s equatorial region
c. fall of fjords
d. mild and dry
The Pyrenees, Alps and Urals are
a. Important rivers in Europe
b. Major mountain ranges in Europe
c. Key peninsulas in Europe
d. Native Iberian people groups
SSWG7
Latin America-Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean
Physical Features-mountainous region occupy much of Latin AmericaMexico- 2 major mountain ranges- Sierra Madre Occidental and Sierra Madre Oriental
and in between is Mexico’s Central Plateau
Central America- mountain ranges covered in rainforests
South America- Andes- longest series of mountain ranges in the world
Caribbean Islands- volcanoes- openings in the earth’s surface ( usually a mountain)
through which lave, volcanic ash and gases escape
Earthquakes- Latin American prone to earthquakes- tectonic plates shift
Amazon Basin- ( Columbia, South America) largest lowland area on the continent
Amazon River- longest river in the Western Hemisphere
Amazon Rainforest-covers portions of nine countries and represent more that one half of
the world's remaining rainforest.
Major Rivers- Rio Grande ( separate Mexico and US) Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea
Panama Canal- built across the isthmus ( thin stretch of land) of Panama by the US so
ships could travel between Atlantic and Pacific ocean without having to travel around
South America
Deforestation- destruction of rainforests- this is a side effect of every-growing population
and industrial and economic development – causes environment concerns
Climate
Tropical Climate- Equator runs through northern and South Americalarge portion of region are hot and dry and rainy seasons
Atacama Desert- one of the driest place on earth (along Chile’s coast)
Hurricanes- due to warm waters of Caribbean Sea these storms form
over the ocean with winds greater than 75 mph
El Nino- phenomenon usually occurs around Christmas every few yearfeatures warmer than usual ocean currents which form in the Pacific
off the coast of northern South America-currents warm the normally
cool air= tends to change normal weather patterns causing different
part of the globe to be dryer or experience more rainfall than normal
People and Population Distribution
Home to a diverse ethnic population.
Many live today in urban areas
Mexico City – one of the most populated cities in the world
– offers great opportunities for jobs, education, business
and culture
Pollution in Mexico City Area- air trapped and lingers
because of the mountains
Most populated areas rest in the fertile areas of the plains
or along the coasts or waterways
Thick rainforest areas- less dense in population
High rugged mountain terrain- less dense in population
SSWG8
United States and Canada
US and Canada- part of continent known as North America-third largest
continent
Canada- largest country in North America and second larges in the world
Physical Features
Rocky Mountains- stretch over 3,00 miles from the southwestern US to Alaska
Appalachian Mountains- hot as high as Rockies but are much older and feature
beautiful scenic areas
Between Rockies and Appalachia- Great Plains- covers central portion of both
countries
Mississippi River System – larges in North America-includes two longest river in
the US0 Mississippi and Missouri
Mackenzie River- longest in CanadaGreat Lakes ( between US and Canada)
Gulf of Mexico, Chesapeake Bay, Gulf of California, Hudson Bay, St. Lawrence
River, Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea
Climate of Canada and the US
North of Canada and Alaska- tundra- frozen land
South of tundra- thick, evergreen forests
Pacific Coat- wet, climate with chilly winter and comfortable
summers
Pacific Mountains-block moisture and have deserts in
Nevada, Utah, Arizona
Great Plains- hot summers and cold snow-filled winters
Northeastern US- cold, snowy winters and mild summers
Southeast- chilly winters with little snow and hot, humid
summers
Droughts- like Georgia now- period without rain
Population Distribution and
Regional Growth
Most citizens in US and Canada live in urban areas
Many cities grew up along major rivers and along ocean
coasts because of the access to travel and opportunities
for trade and commerce such bodies of water provided.
New York city- largest urban area in US-immigrants came
here
Canada- large cities along Great Lakes area
Northeastern US- more populated than other areas of US
Southern area of US- growing in population( Sun Belt)
Practice Questions
The largest river system in North America is the
a.
Missouri
b.
Mississippi
c.
Mackenzie
d.
Appalachian
Canada is
a.
The largest country in terms of land area in the world
b.
The largest country in terms of population in the world
c.
The largest country in terms of land area in North America
d.
The second largest country in terms of land area in North
American
SSWG9
Oceania
Oceania- Australia, New Zealand,
Antarctica-20,000 island stretching across
the Pacific Ocean
Australia- smallest continent on earth and
country
Antarctica- South Pole- uninhabitable –
buried in ice -70% of the world’s fresh
water
Physical Features
Great Dividing Range- series of mountains and
hilly regions
Great Barrier Reef- lies along northeastern coasthome to multitude of underwater wildlife
New Zealand-consists of two main islands- sandy
beaches, rolling green hillsides, various plateaus
and mountainous regions with peaks covered in
snow
Volcanoes
Climate
Australia-coast- receive rainfall
Mountains prevent much of the moisture
from every reach the dry interior
New Zealand- mild and rain
Island- tropical climate – wet and day
seasons – temperature hot year round
Antarctica – frozen climate
Practice Questions
What two parts of Oceania are sometimes
considered separate form this region
because they are continents?
a. Australia and New Zealand
b. The outback and Great Barrier Reef
c. Antarctica and Tasman
d. Antarctica and Australia