Unit 1: Thinking Geographically (copy)

Regions are categorized into three groups

formal, functional, and vernacular

place

A specific point on earth with human and physical characteristics that distinguish it from other places

formal regions

areas of space that has 1 or more shared traits (physical trait-mountain range. cultural trait--shared lang.)

functional/nodal regions

areas that have a central place, or node, that is a focus or point of origin (ie. airline flight routes. metro system)

vernacular regions

An area that people believe exist as part of their cultural identity

absolute location

a point or place on the map using coordinates such as latitude and longitude

relative location

the location of a place compared to a known place or geographic feature

site

absolute location + physical characteristics. (ie. Riyadh, saudi arabia.)

situation

the place’s location in relation with surrounding features. (ie. transportation routes.)

distance decay

the farther away different places are from a place of origin, the less likely interaction will be with the original place

friction of distance

movement incurs some form of cost, in the form of physical effort, energy, time; costs are proportional to the distance traveled

Time-Space Compression

Time-space compression refers to the set of processes (new tech, communication) that cause the relative distances between places to grow smaller.

core and periphery relationships

Core countries are dominant capitalist countries that exploit peripheral countries for labor and raw materials. Peripheral countries are dependent on core countries for capital and have underdeveloped industry

mental map

the cognitive image of landscape in the human mind

large-scale map

Zoomed in map; more detial

small-scale map

Zoomed out map; less detail

Thematic Maps

Show data; thematic map displays spatial patterns and relationships between them (choropleth maps)

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

incorporates one or more data layers in a computer program capable of spatial analysis and mapping

Global Positioning System (GPS)

utilizes a worldwide network of satellites, which emit a measurable radio signal; shows exactly where you are

political regions

boundaries are finite and well-defined (country)

choropleth map

a thematic map that expresses the geographic variability of a particular theme using color variations

isoline map

calculates data values between points across a variable surface (color blending)

dot density map

uses dots to express the volume and density of a particular geographic feature

cartograms

distorts size based on value of variable

map projection

creates different levels of accuracy in terms of size and shape distortion for different parts of the Earth

aerial photographs

images of the Earth from an aircraft, printed on film, but digital camera usage is on the increase

remote-sensing satellites

use a computerized scanner from satellitesGloba to record data from the Earth’s surface (remote areas)

Mercator Projection

Distorts poles of the globe, map Europe look more powerful. good for navigation.

Relative Distance

distance measured in other ways like time or money. (ie, a 7 around hrs,)

Absolute Distance

Direction that can be measured with standard units of length

Reference Map

Shows generalized sources of geographical data, like oceans, cities, borders, roads, ect

Spatial Patterns

The placement of objects on Earth’s surface and the space between the objects

Globalization

how trade and technology have made the world into a more connected and interdependent place.

Environmental Determinism

theory that environment causes social development or the idea that natural environment influences people

Possibilism

theory that people can adjust or overcome an environment.

Local Scale

city, town county, neighborhood

Sub-national Regional

Smaller parts of a nation (states, provinces)

National

Comparing Countries

Regional

Comparing Regions (North America ect)

Global

Comparing whole globe, usually no bor

physical geography

the study of the distribution of landforms on Earth (ie, plants, animals, climate, etc.) (ex. movement of glaciers.)

human geography

the study of events/processes that have shaped interactions that humans have with the Earth. (ie. hierarchies of any sort & the impact they have on the environment.)

spatial perspective

WHERE an event occurs and WHY it occurs there. (ex. human societies build up in specific places.)

ecological perspective

human - environment interactions that show humans dependence on their ecosystems.

environment= living things, ecosystems, human societies

how can a place change ? (and define place)

place is the **physical** and **human** features of a location.

a place can change as humans change (ie. emigration) or as the environemtn changes (ie. natural disasters.)

Density

the number of things in a certain area

pattern

how things are arranged in a speicifc area.

sustainability

the efficient use of resources to preserve them for the future as well.

region

area of earth with distinct characteristics that set it apart from other places

vernacular region

a region defined by people’s perception. (ie. midwest us. people perceive it as there are alot of farms, polite ppl, and it isn’t diverse.)

wallerstain world system theory

there is interdependence between countries and that has led to the creation of a world system with a unified economy and divisions in labor.

geo inquiry process

5 step methos to analyze complex issues at multiple scales, local, regional, and global. it can also help make connections within that issue, identify patterns, and draw conclusions.

step 1 geo inquiry process

ask-explore the issue that addresses the where why and why care? make a research question.

step 2 geo inquiry process

collect-collect data to answer question

step 3 geo inquiry process

display--display the data to make it easier to understand.

step 4 geo inquiry process

create-create a geo inquiry story to answer question and walk ppl through issue

step 5 geo inquiry process

act-urge ppl to act on issue.

topography

the shape/features of land and surfaces

absolute diraction

cardinal direction

gall-peters

shows good direction. country area relativley precise. distorts shape and continents appear elongated.

robinson

globe appearance. little distortion of size and shape, imprecise measrements. extreme distortion and poles-flat poles.. compressed at equator.

azimuthal

presenting direcion. no country seen as center as its presented from north pole. distorts shape and only shows 1/2 of the earth.ref