9 -3 Geo Engage n n Quick review

9 -3 Geo Engage n n Quick review: What does TODALSIGS stand for? What are the 6 elements of Geography? What is the difference between a physical and political map?

8/31 Geo Engage n n Quick review: What is scale? How do you find it? When is the test?

6 Elements Many geographers use the six essential elements to organize their study. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. The World in Spatial Terms Physical Systems Human Systems Environment and Society Places and Regions Uses of Geography

1 - The World in Spatial Terms n n Geographers look at where things are on the Earth’s surface. Changes in settlement patterns over time are also important.

The World in Spatial Terms It tells us where this place is in relation to other places? Or, its LOCATION

The World in Spatial Terms “Where are we? ” n Absolute Location: • Latitude and longitude (global location) • Sugar Land is located at 29°N, 96°W • Street address (local location)

Tropic of Cancer, 23 1/2ºN Tropic of Capricorn, 23 1/2ºS North Pole, 90ºN South Pole, 90ºS Arctic Circle, 66 1/2ºN Antarctic Circle, 66 1/2ºS

Practice n What major city has the following coordinates? n n 41ºN, 73ºW (USA) 33ºN, 13ºE (Africa) 33ºS, 71ºW 34ºS, 150ºE Name the global address of: n n n Hanoi, Vietnam Athens, Greece Sugar Land, TX

Practice Using an atlas, select a city outside of the United States and write down its absolute location. Then, describe its relative location.

The World in Spatial Terms n Relative Location: • Described by landmarks, time, distance from one place to another, etc. Sugar Land is southwest of Houston n College Station is 1 hr 45 min away n Israel is next to Lebanon & Jordan n

2 - Physical Systems We study the 4 physical systems: Earth’s atmosphere, land, water and life…and the interaction between them all Physical processes shape and change Earth’s physical features and environments. Climate and weather affect humans. Ecosystem: all of an area’s plants and animals together with the nonliving parts of their environment.

2 - Physical Systems n n Natural events and human activity change ecosystems. All of life depends on these ecosystems…

Physical Systems: How did Hurricane Katrina influence New Orleans’ population and economy?

3 - Human Systems n n Human systems include population distribution, growth and movement Population growth is affected by a population’s age, birthrate, death rate, and life expectancy. how crowded a place is when they study population density. One specific type of movement is urbanization

Human Systems Houston traffic They also study migration or the movement of people.

MOVEMENT n Movement of people, goods, and information & ideas n Through travel, trade, internet, political events, etc.

Transportation of humans Immigration/Migration What are some push factors? What are some pull factors?

4 - Environment and Society n n how people interact with the environment. Human activities can have positive and negative affects on the environment. #1 #2 #3 List 2 ways Humans adapt to environment Name 2 ways Humans modify the environment Name 2 ways Humans depend on environment Pollution in Houston, Texas on a clear day.

Environment and Society

Environment and Society Resources are very impt. to study in relation to people. Oil Fields in West Texas Population , demands on resources.

9/1 Geo Engage 5 - Places and Regions A place has physical and human characteristics that make it special. n n Physical Characteristics: n Mountains, rivers, wildlife, beaches, etc. Human/Cultural Characteristics: n #1#2#3 - Buildings, roads, clothing, food, people, language, religion, etc Describe Texas’ physical characteristics Describe New York’s cultural characteristics What physical, cultural, and human characteristics of Sugar Land make it unique/different? Palo Duro Canyon

PLACE “What is it like? ”

PLACE People then develop an image of the place based on experience à What do you imagine when you think of China? Saudi Arabia? à

What physical features of Sugar Land make it a unique place? What cultural/human characteristics are unique to Sugar Land?

REGION “How are places similar or different? ” n definition = area of earth’s surface with similar characteristics n Geographers categorize regions in 3 ways: A. formal regions B. functional regions C. perceptual/vernacular regions

REGION Formal (uniform) regions: n Defined by gov’t. (USA, Brazil, Texas) n Or physical features (Rockies, Great Lake States) n Or common characteristic (Corn Belt, Rust Belt)

REGION n Functional regions: organized around a set of interactions and connection between places (usually characterized by a hub, or central place, and links to the central place) a newspaper’s distribution route n

REGION n Vernacular/Perceptual regions: people perceive the characteristics of the region in the same way (loosely defined) n The Middle East (what countries are actually included? Is it linked b/c of oil? Islam? ) n Bible Belt – southeastern states in U. S. = strict Protestants n

Perceptual Region n The states in dark red are almost always included in modern day definitions of the Southern United States, while those in medium red are usually included. Those cross-shaded are sometimes included due to their historic connections to the South.

6 - Uses of Geography n n n Historians use geography to understand history. Not only do they look at when things happened, but where and why they happened. Geography helps people understand the present as well as the past.

Uses of Geography Geographers use many tools including maps, charts, and graphs. Hightech tools such as satellites provide detailed images Computer databases, like Geographic Information Systems, (GIS) store huge amounts of data. Satellite image of Texas, Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico

REVIEW n n n 6 elements Landforms TODALSIGS Types of Maps Latitude/Longitude and coordinates • Absolute location • Tropics, circles, poles, prime meridian n n Relative Location Place and Region

International Date Line

If bored… n Draw a picture of a geographic landform created from YOUR NAME or MY NAME.