Geographic Thinking

geographic pattern

a similarity between places

Geographic Information System (GIS)

a computer-based system for creating maps and analyzing patterns using many layers of data

spatial thinking

thinking about the space on Earth's surface, including where places are and why they are there

absolute location

the exact point where a place is located

Global Positioning System (GPS)

a satellite system that geographers use to find absolute location

relative location

where a place is in relation to other places

Location

provides a way of locating places

Place

the characteristics of a location

Human-Environment Interaction

how people affect the environment and how the environment affects people

Movement

How people, ideas, and animals move from one place to another.

Region

a group of places that have common characteristics

The world in spatial terms

geographers use tools such as maps to study places on Earth's surface

Places and Regions

Geographers examine the characteristics of places and regions

Physical Systems

Geographers examine Earth's physical processes, such as earthquakes and volcanoes

Human Systems

Geographers study how humans live and what ystems they create, such as economic systems

Environment & Society

Geographers explore how humans change the environment and use resources.

The Use of Geography

Geographers interpret the past, analyze the present, and plan for the future.

continent

a large landmass on Earth's surface

Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, South America, and Antarctica

terrace

a flat surface that is built into a hillside.

North America

contains the United States, Canada, & Mexico

Central America and the Caribbean

islands of the Caribbean countries that connect North/South America

South America

All of the countries including Brazil and the Amazon Rainforest

Europe

includes 29 countries and has 24,000 miles of coastline

Russian the the Eurasian Republics

Countries that were once part of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republic

Southwest Asia and North Africa

Africa and Asia

Sub-Saharan Africa

includes Africa south of the Sahara desert

South Asia

India

East Asia

China

Southeast Asia

Indonesia, a country of over 17,000 islands

Australia, the Pacific Realm, and Antarctica

includes Pacific island nations, Australia, and New Zealand

geographers study

the location of places and the people who live there

places in a region are linked by

trade, culture, and other human activities