The Basics of Geography

Chapter 1

What Is Geography?

• The study of the distribution and interaction of physical and human features on the earthDistribution – location, quantityInteraction – impact, affect/effect, adaptationPhysical features – plants and animals (flora &

fauna), landforms, climateHuman features – people, culture, economic

activity

The Five Themes

• Theme #1 Location (Where is it?)Absolute Location – exact place found using grid

system of latitude and longitude

Equator Prime Meridian

The Five Themes

Relative Location – describing the location relative to its surrounding environment

“Ellison High School is located in Killeen, Texas, off of Highway 190 on the corner of Trimmier and Elm streets”

The Five Themes

• Theme #2 Place (What’s it like?)Includes physical features such as climate,

landforms, and vegetationIncludes Human features such as people, culture,

houses, citiesPlace is not always constant – it may change over

time

The Five Themes

• Theme #3 Region (How are places similar or different?)Regions have characteristics that unify themFormal Region – defined by a limited number of

related characteristicsFunctional Region – organized around a set of

interactions and connections between placesPerceptual Region – a region in which people

perceive, or see, the characteristics of the region in the same way

The Five Themes

• Theme #4 Human –Environment Interaction (How do people relate to the physical world?)People learn to use what the environment offers

and/or change the environment to suit their needs

People learn to adapt to conditions they cannot control

The Five Themes

• Theme #5 Movement (How do people, goods, and ideas move from one location to another?)Linear Distance – how farTime Distance – how long Psychological Distance – How people view

distance

The Geographer’s Tools

• Maps and GlobesGlobe – three-dimensional representation of the

earth’s surfaceMap – two-dimensional representation of a

selected part of the earth’s surfaceCartographer – map makerMap Projection – a way of drawing the earth’s

surface by presenting the round earth on flat paper

The Geographer’s Tools

• MapmakingSurveying – observing, measuring, and recording a

section of the earth’s surfaceSatellites, Global Information System (GIS), Global

Positioning System (GPS)Finding Location

oGPSoCompasso Theodolite

The Geographer’s Tools

• Types of Maps • Physical

The Geographer’s Tools

• Political

The Geographer’s Tools

• Qualitative

The Geographer’s Tools

• Cartogram