Studying Geography

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Studying Geography

• Preview
• Section 1 Themes and Essential Elements
• Section 2 Skill Building Using the Geographers
  Tools
• Chapter Wrap-Up

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Section 1 Themes and Essential Elements

• Read to Discover
• What are the two main branches of geography?
• How do we use geography?
• What are some ways we can organize our world and
  the study of geography?

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Section 1 Themes and Essential Elements
Question What are the two main branches of
geography?
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Section 1 Themes and Essential Elements
Human Geography
Physical Geography
Both
Studies distribution and characteristics of the
worlds people (where people live and what they
do) Examines how people make and trade things
that they need to survive
Focuses on Earths natural environments,
including landforms, water features, plants,
animals, and other physical features Studies
the processes that shape physical environments
Studies how people interact with their
environments
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Section 1 Themes and Essential Elements

• We Use Geography
• In GovernmentFor mapmaking and planning
• In BusinessFor marketing and development
• In SchoolsFor education
• Every DayTo find our way in town or on trips,
  when we watch the news and weather, when we read
  about other countries, when we make decisions
  about locations for events or businesses

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Section 1 Themes and Essential Elements
Organizing the World by Regions

• FormalHas one or more common features that make
  it different from surrounding areas
• FunctionalDifferent places that are linked
  together and function as a unit
• PerceptualReflects human feelings and attitudes

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Section 1 Themes and Essential Elements
Organizing the Study of Geography
Organizing the Study of Geography

• By Five Themes
• LocationExact or relative spot of something on
  Earth
• PlacePhysical and human features of a location
• Human-Environment InteractionWays people and
  environments interrelate with and affect each
  other
• MovementHow people and things change locations
  and the effects of these changes
• RegionGeographic areas with one or more shared
  characteristics

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Section 1 Themes and Essential Elements

• By Six Essential Elements
• The World in Spatial Terms
• How to use maps and other tools
• How to use mental maps to organize information
• How to analyze the spatial organization of
  people, places, and environments
• Places and Regions
• The physical and human characteristics of places
• How people create regions to interpret Earth
• How culture and experience influence peoples
  perceptions of places and regions

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Section 1 Themes and Essential Elements

• By Six Essential Elements
• Physical Systems
• Human Systems
• Environment and Society
• The physical processes that shape Earths surface
• The distribution of ecosystems on Earth
• The characteristics, distribution, and migration
  of human populations
• The complexity of Earths cultural mosaics
• The patterns and networks of economic
  interdependence on Earth
• The patterns of human settlement

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Section 1 Themes and Essential Elements

• By Six Essential Elements
• Physical Systems
• Human Systems
• Environment and Society
• The forces of cooperation and conflict
• How human actions modify the physical environment
• How physical systems affect human systems
• The distribution and meaning of resources
• The Uses of Geography
• Apply geography to interpret the past
• Apply geography to interpret the present and plan
  for the future

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Section 2 Skill Building Using the
Geographers Tools

• Read to Discover
• How do geographers and mapmakers organize our
  world?
• What kinds of special maps do geographers use?
• How do geographers use climate graphs and
  population pyramids?

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Section 2 Skill Building Using the
Geographers Tools
Geographers and Mapmakers Organize

• By drawing lines on the globe
• By identifying hemispheres, landmasses, and
  bodies of water
• By making and using maps

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Section 2 Skill Building Using the
Geographers Tools
Question What are characteristics of the three
map projection types?
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Section 2 Skill Building Using the
Geographers Tools
Map Projection
Disadvantages
Advantages
Used by navigators because it shows true
direction and shape
Exaggerates landmasses at high latitudes
Cylindrical
Not as accurate for areas that extend mostly
north to south
Conic
Accurate for areas with long east-west dimensions
Used by pilots and navigators because it shows
true direction and area sizes
Flat-Plane
Distorts shapes
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Section 2 Skill Building Using the
Geographers Tools
Special-Purpose Maps

• Climate and Precipitation MapsShow weather
  patterns and atmospheric conditions
• Population and Economic MapsShow the
  distribution of people, natural resources, and
  land usage patterns
• Elevation Profiles and Topographic MapsShow
  physical features of the land

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Section 2 Skill Building Using the
Geographers Tools
Important Geographic Characteristics

• Climate graphs show average temperatures and
  precipitation in a place.
• Population pyramids show percentages of males and
  females by age group in a countrys population.
  They help us understand population trends.

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Chapter Wrap-Up Understanding the Main Ideas

1. What are two main branches in the study of
   geography?
2. What six essential elements help us organize the
   study of geography?
3. How are the three kinds of regions defined?
4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the
   three main map projections?
5. What are six kinds of special-purpose maps?