Thinking Geographically

Thinking Geographically

Geography as a Field of Inquiry

  • Questions Explored:
      1. What is Human Geography?
      2. Who is the father of geography?
      3. Who is the father of history?
      4. What are the concepts of geography?

What is Human Geography?

  • Definition:
      - Human Geography is the study of spatial variation in the patterns and processes related to human activity.

Who is the Father of Geography?

  • Eratosthenes:
      - Recognized as the father of geography due to his significant contributions:
        1. First to use the term geography.
        2. First to compute the circumference of the Earth using a unit called stades.
        3. First to calculate the tilt of the Earth's axis as 23.5°.
        4. Invented the system of latitude and longitude.
        5. First to measure the equatorial circumference to be 25,000 miles.

Who is the Father of History?

  • Herodotus:
      - An ancient Greek scholar regarded as the father of history due to his early works in historical documentation, including creating the first map.

The First Map by Herodotus

  • Elements included:
      - Various tribes such as Celts, Androphagi, and Scythians.
      - Geographic features including the BLACK SEA and ATLANTIC SEA.
      - Noted locations such as Carthage and Nineveh.

Cartography

  • Definition:
      - Cartography is the art and science of making maps, central to the study of geography.

Core Geographic Concepts

  • Main Concepts Explored:
      1. Space
      2. Site
      3. Place (Location)
      4. Scale
      5. Region

Detailed Examination of Core Concepts

Space

  • Definition:
      - Space is the extent of area occupied by something, including both physical and cultural objects.
      - Relative Space:
        - Concerns the position of one entity in relation to another; it is dynamic.
        - Example: Living next to a school defines relative positioning.
      - Absolute Space:
        - A measurable area with defined boundaries.
        - Example: Living at 34.729° N, 86.585° W indicates precise latitude and longitude.

Site

  • Definition:
      - Refers to the physical location of a place.
      - Situation:
        - Refers to the location based on its relation to other places.
      - Example: The site of Aswan is on the banks of the Nile River in southwestern Egypt.

Place

  • Definition:
      - Encompasses location, meaning, identity, and human experiences associated with a location.

  • Example:
      - Paris, France, is regarded as a cultural and historical landmark, known for places like the Eiffel Tower.

  • Attributes of places include:
      1. Location, direction, and distance attributes.
      2. Temporal changes.
      3. Interrelations with other places.
      4. Physical and cultural aspects.
      5. Groupability into regions based on similarities and differences.

Location

  • Definition:
      - The exact position of something on Earth's surface; identified using absolute or relative location.

  • Components:
      - Latitude: Measurement north and south of the equator based on equidistant lines called parallels.
      - Longitude: Measurement east and west of the Prime Meridian expressed in degrees of meridians.

  • Example: 123 Main Street, New York, NY as an absolute location.

Scale

  • Definition:
      - Scale reflects the size of a unit on a map as a ratio to the same unit on Earth’s surface.

  • Example of a verbal scale: 1:250,000 specifies that 1 unit on the map corresponds to 250,000 of the same units in reality.

  • Importance: Enables comparison of local, regional, and global practices in various contexts.

Types of Regions

Type of Region

Definition

Examples

Formal (Uniform)

A region with high consistency in a cultural or physical attribute.

French-speaking region of Canada, Political boundaries

Functional (Nodal)

A region with a central node or hub surrounded by interconnections related to trade and transport.

Metropolitan area of Chicago, Port of New Orleans

Perceptual (Vernacular)

A region defined by feelings, with subjective boundaries.

Bible Belt, Rust Belt, Chinatown

Geographic Skills

  • Five Key Geographic Skills in AP Human Geography:
      1. Concepts and Processes:
         - Analyze and compare geographic theories, concepts, and models.
      2. Spatial Relationships:
         - Describe spatial patterns and relationships in various contexts.
      3. Data Analysis:
         - Identify and interpret quantitative data from maps and charts.
      4. Source Analysis:
         - Analyze qualitative data from diverse visual imagery.
      5. Scale Analysis:
         - Explain spatial relationships across different scales of analysis.

Map Utilization

Types of Maps

  • Maps Displaying Data:
      1. General-Purpose Reference Map:
         - Displays area features like highways and topography.
      2. Thematic Map:
         - Displays a specific type of information, varied by design such as graduated maps or choropleth maps.

  • Map Projections:
      - Projections minimize certain attributes but may distort others:
        1. Mercator Projection: Good for navigation.
        2. Peters Projection: Good for representing size equality.
        3. Goodes Homolosine Projection: Effective for thematic representation.
        4. Azimuthal Projection: Suitable for polar area studies.

  • Why Change Maps?
      - The Mercator projection distorts land sizes, reinforcing colonial worldviews. Newer projections aim to provide a fair perspective.

Models and Maps

  • Definition:
      - Models are simplified representations that help simplify real-world complexities. Maps serve as two-dimensional models depicting spatial information.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

  • Definition:
      - A system that combines mapping software with a database to analyze geographic data.

  • Importance in Geography:
      - Useful for studying regional social and economic problems and analyzing human-environment interactions.

Human Geography Concepts

Spatial Interaction

  • Definition:
      - The relationships within a community influenced by types of interactions.

Diffusion

  • Definition:
      - Movement of people, ideas, customs, and information across spaces.

  • Types of Spatial Diffusion:
      1. Relocation Diffusion: Transfer of an idea or trait to a new area.
      2. Expansion Diffusion: Spread of ideas through various channels, including:
         - Hierarchical Diffusion: From higher authorities to lower.
         - Contagious Diffusion: Rapid spread through proximity.
         - Stimulus Diffusion: Fundamental principles spread while specific traits may change.

Density

  • Definition:
      - Measurement of the number of items within a specified area, indicating distribution.

  • Example of significance in areas like People’s Republic of China.

Settlement Forms

  • Types of rural human settlements include:
      1. Nucleated or Cluster Settlements:
         - Houses grouped around a central feature (like towns).
      2. Dispersed Settlements:
         - Buildings spread out, typically associated with agricultural areas.

Review Questions

  1. Chinatown is an example of a:
       - (A) functional region, (B) nodal region, (C) perceptual region, (D) formal region, (E) uniform region.

  2. The map created by Lewis and Clark could be called a:
       - (A) thematic map, (B) choropleth map, (C) graduated-circle map, (D) general-purpose map, (E) topographic map.

  3. For the location of a city building in Seattle, Washington, you would need a:
       - (A) large-scale map, (B) small-scale map, (C) topographic map, (D) graduated-circle map, (E) choropleth map.

  4. Human geography studies:
       - (A) physical processes of Earth, (B) who lives where and how, (C) psychology of humans through maps, (D) culture minus environmental influences, (E) human evolution.

  5. Spread of Christianity in South America initially occurred through:
       - (A) stimulus diffusion, (B) relocation diffusion, (C) contagious diffusion, (D) hierarchical diffusion, (E) force.