Transcript 76

Unit 1:
Nature &
Perspectives
a bit out of order:
Site & Situation

Site
• Refers to a physical description of
a place
• This can involve absolute location,
and physical characteristics of
place
• These are things that are unlikely
to change, such as geological
formations, soil, or structures.
Site & Situation

Situation
• Situation refers to a description of
a place, based on its relationship to
something else
• This can involve relative location,
and other cultural elements.
• Situation is dynamic, and can
change when something else
changes.
Slide #1 Site factors
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Describe Site factors of the city:
Physical character of the place
Include some characteristics such as:
climate, water sources, topography,
soil, vegetation, latitude and
elevation (not all)
Why was this a good location for this
settlement? (based on site factors,
be as specific as possible)
Any modifications to improve the
location?
Slide #2: Situation factors: location
of a place relative to other places

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List three significant relative
locations
Other Ideas:
• What is important about its location
based on the surrounding area?
• What formal regions is it a part of?
• What functional regions is it a part of?
• What is the perception of this city?
Slide #3 Give the name of the city
List the absolute
Location
 List population of
the city
 List the area of the
city
DUE Fri. 8/28 by
11:59 PM via
EMAIL
Dallas.killingswort
[email protected]
m
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IMAGE
Grading Requirements
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Must have three slides only
Have all students names and period on
email subject line…NOT in PowerPoint.
No paragraphs or complete sentences
• Do not cut and paste from internet
• Put in your own words
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Use correct grammar (usage of words,
capitalization, etc)
5 point deduction for EACH
infraction
Historical Foundations
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Evidence of early maps:
• Babylonians- earth as flat circular disk on
clay tablets
• Pre-Columbian maps in MX- footprints to rep.
roads
• Inuit/Eskimos- coastal maps
• Incas- relief maps of stone and clay
• Chinese- lit. refers to maps 7th century BCE
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Plato- 1st to say world is round
Aristotle- proved it w/ Earth’s shadow
crossing the moon
CARTOGRAPHY
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Hipparchus- 1st grid system, but
lines followed natural features
Eratosthenes:
• 1st to coin term “geography”
• Determined Earth’s circumference
using the angle of the sun and two
points on Earth

99.5% correct!
• Divided Earth into 5 climate
regions
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14th century- Marco Polo inspired others
16th century- Mercator Projection for
mariners
17th century- continents/oceans correctly
displayed
19th century• Nat’l Geographic Society formed
• Metric System simplified, universal
• Prime Meridian estab.
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20th century
• Aerial photographs, remote sensing, GIS,
GPS, etc.
Modern Tools

Remote Sensing- acquisition of data
about Earth’s surface from a satellite
orbiting
• Used primarily for environmental
applications
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Global Positioning Systemdetermines precise location of
something on Earth
• Used primarily of navigation
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Geographic Information Systems
Map Scale

Map scale – tells us relationship between distance on
map and distance on earth’s surface
• Ratio scale = ratio of map distance to earth
distance.
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1:10,000 means that one inch on the map equals 10,000
inches earth’s surface; one centimeter represents 10,000
centimeters so how many feet on earth is 1:24,000 inches
on a map?
Recall a small fraction has a large denominator so that
1:100,000 is a smaller scale than 1:25,000.
• A large-scale map depicts a small area with great
detail.
• A small-scale map depicts a larger area with little
detail. Distortion is especially severe here.
Spatial Scale
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Using scale politically:
• Local based movements rescale
Zapatistas in MX created jumped
scale by protesting NAFTA, using the
internet for campaigns…moved from
local to global
• Sometimes global generalizations
can negate regional/local views
Distortion
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Distortion occurs when a threedimensional object (Earth), is put on
a two-dimensional map
• The larger the scale, the less distortion
(zoomed in)
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City maps have little distortion
• The farther one goes from the Equator,
the greater the distortion
Thematic Maps
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A thematic map depicts a single feature:
• climate, population, landform or land use.
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Types of thematic maps:
• Isoline – connects points of equal value
• Choropleth – puts features into classes and
then maps classes for each region
• Proportional symbol – size of the symbol
corresponds to the magnitude of the
mapped feature http://flutracker.rhizalabs.com/
• Dot – each dot represents some frequency
Dasymetric
Quick Map Quiz
• After each map, list what type of map it
is, what is the variable that is represented
(what kind of information we could use that
map for/what kind of conclusions could we
make based on the map data)
• Some maps it will be easier to tell what
kind than to know what kind of
information.
Back to reality
Place
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What is a place like?
• Feelings that contribute to the
distinctiveness of a spot on Earth
1. Toponym- place’s name
•
Named for person, religion, history,
prospective goals, etc.
2. Site & Situation- physical characteristics
of itself and “neighbors”
3. Location- where is it (absolute & relative)
•
Time Zones
Tropic of Cancer,
23 1/2ºN
Tropic of Capricorn,
23 1/2ºS
North Pole, 90ºN
South Pole, 90ºS
Arctic Circle,
66 1/2ºN
Antarctic Circle,
66 1/2ºS
Absolute location is a latitude and longitude
(a global location) or a street address (local
location).
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Latitude runs across the globe and
is determined by how many
degrees north or south of the
Equator (0) the location is.
Longitude runs up and down the
globe and is determined by how
many degrees East or West of the
Prime Meridian (0) the location is.
• Hudson Falls, NY 43° N latitude
and 73° W longitude
• Paris, France is 48° N latitude
and 2°E longitude
Relative locations are described
by landmarks, time, direction or
distance from one place to
another and may associate a
particular place with another.
Could you give me directions
to the mall from here?
Time Zones
What is a time zone?
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A time zone is a region of the Earth
that has adopted the same standard
time, usually referred to as the local
time.
Most time zones are one hour apart,
and follow the UTC (Coordinated
Universal Time) match with
Greenwich Mean Time
• Est. 10/13/1884 @ Internat’l Meridian
Conf. in Washington, DC
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Standard time zones: geometrically
dividing the Earth's 24 sections,
bordered by meridians each 15°
apart (Fleming)
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The local time in neighboring
zones would differ by one hour.
• However, due to geographical and
political reasons, not all countries
practice this.
• Daylight savings is also a factor.
Before Time Zones
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Solar Time (high noon)
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Mass transit (19th c.) railway time
• Not good for locals
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Time zones = universal pattern +
approx. solar time
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The increase in worldwide
communication has further increased the
need for people to have an
understanding of time zones.
Why would a Houstonian not schedule a
telephone conference with Japan at 2:00
pm, Houston time?
Time Zone Anomalies
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France previously used GMT, but was
switched to CET (Central European
Time) during German occupation
during World War II and did not
switch back after the war.
China has only one time zone.
There are 40 time zones instead of
24.
Regions
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“Sense of place” for a larger area
• Attachment to Houston? Texas? The
South?
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Landscape- cultural or natural
• Attributes that influence the overall
appearance of an area
“Culture is the agent, the natural area the
medium, the cultural landscape is the
result”- Carl Sauer
Cultural Ecology
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Regions can be defined by humanenvironment relationships cultural
ecology
• Von Humboldt & Ritter:
environmental determinism
Cultures are a direct result of where they
exist
• Huntington: climate is a major
determinant of civilization (NW
Europeans are more productive b/c in
moderate climate)
Cultural Ecology
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Determinism rejected by modern
geographers
Possibilism- environment may limit
but people have ability to adapt and
modify
• Choose which crop grows best in your
climate (rice vs. wheat)
• Terracing/Air Conditioning
• Culture differences
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Formal regions are those
defined by governmental or
administrative boundaries
• These regional boundaries are not
open to dispute, therefore physical
regions fall under this category
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Functional regions are those
defined by a function
• If the function ceases to exists, the
region no longer exists.
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Vernacular regions are those
loosely defined by people's
perception; part of cultural
identity
REGION
Formal (uniform) regions:
• Defined by govn’t. (USA, Brazil, Texas)
• Or physical features (Rockies, Great
Lake States)
• Or common
characteristic
(Corn Belt,
Rust Belt)
REGION
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Functional regions: organized
around a set of interactions and
connection between places (usually
characterized by a hub, or central place, and
links to the central place)
• a newspaper’s
distribution route
REGION
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Vernacular/Perceptual regions:
• people perceive the characteristics of the
region in the same way (loosely defined)
• The Middle East (what countries are actually
included? Is it linked b/c of oil? Islam?)
• Bible Belt – southeastern states in U.S. =
strict Protestants
Perceptual Region
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The states in dark
red are almost
always included in
modern day
definitions of the
Southern United
States, while
those in medium
red are usually
included. Those
cross-shaded are
sometimes
included due to
their historic
connections to the
South.
Quick Map Quiz
After each map, list what type of REGION
you think is being portrayed.
Globalization
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The increasing
interconnectedness
of different parts of
the world through
common processes of
economic, political,
and cultural change.
Economic
globalization is
happening fastest.
Core-Periphery
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Core
• U.S., Europe,
Japan, Australia
• Wealthy
• Powerful
• Controls Media
and Finance
• Technologically
advanced
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Periphery
• Less Developed
• Poor
• Dependent upon
Core countries for:
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Education
Technology
Media
Military Equipment
Globalization
(new link)
“The Other Side of
Outsourcing”- Thomas
Friedman
Spatial Interaction
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Movement of goods, ideas, & people=
expression on the interconnectedness of
places
Spacial Interaction depends on:
• Distances (measured physical space)
• Accessibility (ease of reaching location)
• Connectivity (degree of linkage in network)
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Kant- Geography: space :: History: time
• Answer the “why of where” (ex: Cholera
outbreak)
Acculturation
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Acculturation –
when smaller/weaker
groups take on traits of
the larger/dominant
culture.
• Can be 2-way process
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EX: Aztecs acculturated
into Spanish culture, but
some Aztec traits
remained and became
Spanish culture in area
Various Native Americans in
European attire
Assimilation
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Addresses the theoretical completion of the
acculturation process.
• cultural or behavioral assimilation- which is
essentially the acculturation part of the process
• structural assimilation- the acceptance by the
entering culture of the value system of the host
group, the uniting of the ethnic aspects of the two
groups, and the incorporation of the new group
within the occupational structure of the host.
• Degree of assimilation can be measured by
intermarriage rates and aerial segregation
Pitzl, Gerald R. "assimilation." World Geography: Understanding a Changing World. ABC-CLIO,
2012. Web. 3 Sept. 2012
BARRIERS TO DIFFUSION
• TIME and DISTANCE DECAY –
farther from the source & the more time it
takes, the less likely innovation adopted
• CULTURAL BARRIERS –
some
practices, ideas, innovations are not
acceptable/adoptable in a particular culture
– e.g. pork, alcohol, contraceptives…
• PHYSICAL BARRIERS –
physical
barriers on the surface may prohibit/inhibit
adoption
Distance Decay Graph
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Learn to think
about distance
decay in a “spatial”
context
Think of distance
decay in terms of
an ‘x’ and ‘y’ axis
Tobler’s 1st Law of Geography
All things are related. However, all
other things being equal, those
things that are closest together are
more related.
Space-Time Compression
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STC- with
technology,
distance (time)
b/w places has
• we know what is
happening far
away, and we know
sooner
• Diffusion &
acculturation
Diffusion
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Diffusion is the movement of any
characteristic (expansion or relocation)
• A hearth is where the characteristic began
Diffusion
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Expansion Diffusion• Spread of an innovation/idea thru a population
in an area in such a way that the # of those
influenced grows continuously larger, resulting
in an expanding area of dissemination.
• People stay put, idea moves
• Types:
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Hierarchical
Contagious
Stimulus
(de Blij/Murphy – 7th ed., page R-20)
Kinds of Expansion Diffusion
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Hierarchical Diffusion – spread of
an idea through an established
structure usually from people or
areas of “power” down to other
people or areas
• Start with social elite/politicians then to
others phones, computers
• Start with urban then to rural  hip-hop
Kinds of Expansion Diffusion
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Contagious Diffusion – spread of
an idea/trait through a group of
people or an area equally without
regard to social class, economic
position or position of power
• Influenza, colds, etc
• Silly Bandz
• STD prevention WITHIN United States
• Facilitated by internet
Diagram of Contagious & Hierarchical
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‘A’ is contagious
diffusion. Notice
virtually all
‘adopt.’
‘B’ is hierarchical
diffusion. Notice
the leapfrogging
over some
areas.
Kinds of Expansion Diffusion
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Stimulus Diffusion – the spread of
an underlying principle even though
the characteristic itself does not
spread.
OR
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Stimulus Diffusion - involves the
transfer of an underlying concept or
idea, without the specific
accompanying traits due to some
cultural or other barrier to the
movement of the idea
An example of Stimulus Diffusion
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McDonald’s spread
to India  Hindus
do not eat beef 
Indian McDonald’s
serve veggie
burgers
The idea was
acceptable, but not
in its original form
DIFFUSION
• Relocation DiffusionSequential diffusion process in which the
items being diffused are transmitted by
their carrier agents as they evacuate the
old areas and relocate to new ones.
 Most common: the spreading of
innovations by a migrating population.
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(de Blij/Murphy – 7th ed., page R-26)
Kinds of Relocation Diffusion
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Migrant Diffusion- when an innovation
originates and enjoys strong, but brief,
adoption there. The innovation may
travel long distances (& be thriving), but
could be faded out back at the point of
origination
• Ex: influenza in China will reach the U.S., but the
epidemic could be over in China by the time it
takes hold in the U.S.
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‘A’ is relocation
diffusion as the
person goes.
‘B’ is expansion
diffusion as the
idea/trait moves or
transports.
One more look…Wal-Mart as both
contagious and reverse hierarchical
diffusion – WHY?
Distribution
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The arrangement of a phenomenon
across Earth’s surface
Everything on the Earth’s surface has
a physical location and is organized
in space Distribution
• Density- frequency something occurs in
space
• Concentration- extent of spread of
space
• Pattern- geometric arrangement of
objects in space
Density
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Can be used with any
object and any area
Arithmetic- total # of
objects in an area
• Large population does not =
high density!
• China vs. Belgium
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Physiological- total # of
ppl per arable land
Agricultural- total # of
farmers per farmland
• Reveal a country’s efficiency
Concentration
Must have same # of
objects & same area
before comparing
 Clustered- objects
close together
 Dispersed- objects are
far apart
Ex: Neighborhoods;
American Baseball
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Franchises Clustered
Pattern
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Can be irregular or
geometric
• Linear
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Houses, train stops, gas
stations on highway
• Square/rectangular
(rectilinear)
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Grid pattern of streets
• Centralized
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Ethnic neighborhoods
• Random
Diversity in Space
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Gender, ethnicity, sexuality are part of
cultural identity affects spatial
interaction
• Mom’s activity space vs. father’s
• Ethnic city neighborhoods & buses
• City/area reputations for
openness/acceptance