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Introduction to World Introduction to World GeographyGeography

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• Geography is the study of everything on Earth.

Geographers look at where things are and why they are there.

• Physical and Human Geography are the two main branches of geography.

What is Geography????

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Physical v. Human Physical v. Human GeographyGeography

Physical Geography is the study of the Natural Landscape of the Earth while Cultural Geography is the study of the Human Landscape of the

Earth.

Physical GeographyPhysical Geography Human GeographyHuman Geography

Rocks/MineralsRocks/Minerals Population/Settlements/Population/Settlements/UrbanizationUrbanization

LandformsLandforms Economic and Political Economic and Political SystemsSystems

Animal and Plant LifeAnimal and Plant Life TransportationTransportation

SoilsSoils Human MigrationHuman Migration

Atmosphere/Climate/WeatherAtmosphere/Climate/Weather Social SystemsSocial Systems

EnvironmentEnvironment RecreationRecreation

Rivers/Oceans/Other bodies Rivers/Oceans/Other bodies of Waterof Water

Religion/Belief SystemReligion/Belief System

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What types of jobs do What types of jobs do geographers have (in the geographers have (in the

U.S.)?U.S.)?Location AnalystsLocation Analysts, for:, for:

franchises (like “Burger King”)franchises (like “Burger King”)stores (like big department stores)stores (like big department stores)public facilities (like new schools)public facilities (like new schools)

GISGIS (computer mapping) (computer mapping) Urban and Regional PlannersUrban and Regional Planners

Real Estate and Residential Development AnalystsReal Estate and Residential Development Analysts

Transportation and Tourism Planners and AnalystsTransportation and Tourism Planners and Analysts

University and public school teachersUniversity and public school teachers

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Taxonomy: kingdom, phylum,Class, order, family, genus, species

Biologists

Geologists Geological time

Historians Eras, ages, periods

Geographers Geographic Regions

CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS

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►physical (natural) characteristicsphysical (natural) characteristics landforms, climate, vegetationlandforms, climate, vegetation

►human (cultural) characteristicshuman (cultural) characteristics language, religion, ethnicity, populationlanguage, religion, ethnicity, population

GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS: What defines a region?

Regions are based on Spatial Criteria (what is there and why)

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► Classification of Regions are based upon physical features Classification of Regions are based upon physical features and human characteristics.and human characteristics.

Examples: The United States is in the North American Examples: The United States is in the North American Region. However, the U.S. has several sub-regions: Region. However, the U.S. has several sub-regions: Northeast, Midwest, South, etc.Northeast, Midwest, South, etc.

► Region & Sub-region boundaries are based on criteria we Region & Sub-region boundaries are based on criteria we establish. establish.

► Criteria can be:Criteria can be: Human (cultural) propertiesHuman (cultural) properties

Physical (natural) characteristicsPhysical (natural) characteristics

or Bothor Both

SUB-REGIONS

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►Region that has one or more common Region that has one or more common features that make it different from features that make it different from surrounding areas. surrounding areas.

►Example: Great Lakes RegionExample: Great Lakes Region

►Example: Piney Woods Example: Piney Woods

of East TX.of East TX.

FORMAL REGION

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►Made up of different places that are Made up of different places that are linked together by one focal point. linked together by one focal point.

FUNCTIONAL REGION

Examples:Examples: Metropolitan Metropolitan Area and the Mississippi Area and the Mississippi River System. River System.

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Perceptual Region

►Region which reflect human feelings and attitudes. The problem is people feel differently about the same things. Based more on opinion than fact.

►Lets continue for an example.

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The School Cafeteria

►Is the school cafeteria divided into regions?

►Walls separate it from the rest of school – formal region.

►Tables, trash cans, area to buy food – functional region.

►Does the cafeteria have a perceptual region?

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►Where do you sit and why?►Do you sit where you do based on

common interests, gender or another reason?

►Where are the teachers?►Does everyone feel the same about

the seating arrangements?

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Maps and More MapsMaps and More Maps► Types of maps and projectionsTypes of maps and projections

Physical mapsPhysical maps Cultural mapsCultural maps Political mapsPolitical maps Population mapsPopulation maps And more..And more..

► Why do geographers use each type map?Why do geographers use each type map?

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The Grid SystemThe Grid System

► LatitudeLatitude: drawn in an east-west direction that measure : drawn in an east-west direction that measure distance north and south of the equator.distance north and south of the equator.

► LongitudeLongitude: drawn in a north-south direction that : drawn in a north-south direction that measure distance east and west of the Prime Meridian.measure distance east and west of the Prime Meridian.

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Important Lines of Lat. & Important Lines of Lat. & Long.Long.

►Equator: divides the Earth into the Equator: divides the Earth into the Northern & Southern Hemispheres, Northern & Southern Hemispheres, located at 0˚ latitudelocated at 0˚ latitude

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Important Lines of Lat. & Important Lines of Lat. & Long.Long.

►Prime MeridianPrime Meridian: Divides the Earth into : Divides the Earth into the Eastern & Western Hemispheres, the Eastern & Western Hemispheres, located at 0˚longitudelocated at 0˚longitude

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Latitude ZonesLatitude Zones

►Lines of Latitude determine different Lines of Latitude determine different types of climates. types of climates. Low LatitudeLow Latitude

Middle LatitudeMiddle Latitude

High LatitudeHigh Latitude