Section Assignment 1 - Template Place Perceptions and Perceptual Regions of California The concept of “regions” is used to identify and organize areas of the earth surface that share one or more properties of interest. Perceptual regions (also called cognitive regions by geographers) are based on people’s perceptions and beliefs about the world around them. They typically have vague or imprecise boundaries, and a particular place is considered a “better” example of the region than another place, even though both places are within the region. The place that best represents the region may be called the region’s core. The core is often near the spatial center of the region but need not be. In this assignment, you will delineate some perceptual regions within California. You will also list some of the ideas or images that you associate with the different regions. There are no right or wrong answers. Part 1 1. On the outline map of California, draw a line separating “Southern California” from “Northern California” (not necessarily a straight line). 2. Put a dot or small circle within each of the two regions to show where you think the core of each region is. Remember, this place best represents what the region means, not necessarily its spatial center. Label this as the core on the map. 3. What comes to mind when you think of Southern California? In other words, what characteristics do you associate with the region? List as many characteristics as you can (at least 5). These could be natural or built features, climate conditions, human activities, cultural practices, housing styles, common attitudes, feelings, representative images, sounds, smells, or anything else. 4. List at least 5 characteristics for Northern California. 5. On the same map, add two lines to show the boundaries of the area that you consider to be “Central California”. Use a dashed line or a line of another color. Indicate the core. Does it overlap more with Southern or Northern California? Was it easier or harder to decide where to put the boundary and core for this region than for the first two? Does adding Central California change what you think of as Southern and Northern California? How? Are there characteristics of Central California that come to mind that are different than either Southern or Northern? What are they? Google Maps: California (for reference) Map of California 1. On the outline map of California, draw a line separating “Southern California” from “Northern California” (not necessarily a straight line). Northern california 2. Put a dot or small circle within each of the two regions to show where you think the core of each region is. Remember, this place best represents what the region means, not necessarily its spatial center. Label this as the core on the map. When I think of Northern California I tend to think of San Francisco (pink dot)and when I think of Southern California I think of Los Angeles (blue dot) Southern california 3. What comes to mind when you think of Southern California? In other words, what characteristics do you associate with the region? List as many characteristics as you can (at least 5). These could be natural or built features, climate conditions, human activities, cultural practices, housing styles, common attitudes, feelings, representative images, sounds, smells, or anything else. A. - Southern california: Some of the characteristics I associate Socal with is hot weather, famous people, the hollywood sign, crazy traffic and fast food restaurants. Another thing that comes to mind when I think about Southern california is that it gives off a very stressful vibe. B. Northern california: - Some of the characteristics I associate Northern California with is the Bay area, the Golden Gate Bridge, cold weather, my family and friends. I'm from northern california and I think the climate conditions are one of my favorite things about where i'm from. It's always cold and foggy 4. List at least 5 characteristics for Northern California. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Golden Gate Bridge Cold weather Wine country More forests and tree and less beaches and water around us Yosemite national park 5. On the same map, add two lines to show the boundaries of the area that you consider to be “Central California”. Use a dashed line or a line of another color. Indicate the core. Does it overlap more with Southern or Northern California? Was it easier or harder to decide where to put the boundary and core for this region than for the first two? Does adding Central California change what you think of as Southern and Northern California? How? Are there characteristics of Central California that come to mind that are different than either Southern or Northern? What are they? When I was identifying central california, I simply just labels the area in between northern california and southern california as central. I would say it was easier to decide the boundaries because I went based on what I had left. Now that I labeled that area as central california I believe this location has a mix of characteristics that mention when talking about Northern and southern california. I would say they aren't as hectic as socal but definitely not as laid back as norcal. They fit right in the middle. Part 2 Go to the internet and search for images showing “postcards from Santa Barbara”. Select 10 different postcards of Santa Barbara or the surrounding region; they can be old postcards or modern ones. For each postcard image, write down a single word or phrase that summarizes the content or theme of the postcard. Your themes should include abstract “feelings” or qualities of “ambience,” not just concrete objects and scenes. Examine your list of themes and group them into common or overlapping themes. What are the common themes? How well do they represent your idea or image of the Santa Barbara region? That is, do the postcards overemphasize some things about Santa Barbara? Do they leave out some things you think are important? (1-2 pts based on quality and effort in these answers) Postcards 1 and 2 The colors and contrast on this postcard kind of give it a very lonely ambience. The objects in this postcard seem very stranded. I selected this postcard alongside the first because they both give the same feeling. Alone but peaceful.A very mellow environment with plenty of sky to look at. Postcards 3 and 4 In this postcard it gives of the energy of a very small location. Although when I think of beaches I typically link them to Los Angeles. But the energy im getting is that some beaches are kinda secluded. There is definitely a high emphasis on the sky considering it takes up most of the frame. Similar to this postcard, it also takes place at a beach. In this picture it seems a little bit more busy. The emphasis on beaches seems to be a very common theme. Therefore I want to assume Santa Barbara is known for its beaches. Postcard 5 and 6 In this postcard its gives the vibe that when people retire they go here. Somewhere isolated from the rest of the world. It provides a sense of relaxation. This image actually provides the opposite of the last postcard, at least in my perspective. Everything seems very clustered together and it actually gives off the same vibe as Los Angeles. Postcard 7 and 8 This postcard makes Santa barbara look like a resort. A palace people can go for a vacation and be right along the coast of the sea.It gives a very magical and tropical feel. This postcards gives Santa Barbara a more historical feel.It hints at the mission and maybe emphasis that there is history behind this city. Postcard 9 and 10 This postcard gives Santa Barbara a more tropical and maybe forestry vibe along with including the mission.It included the historical and relaxing aspects of SB This postcard gives santa barbara a tourist vibe. People come here to see the beaches the palm trees.This postcard specifically reminds of the Santa Cruz boardwalk Examine your list of themes and group them into common or overlapping themes. What are the common themes? How well do they represent your idea or image of the Santa Barbara region? That is, do the postcards overemphasize some things about Santa Barbara? Do they leave out some things you think are important? (1-2 pts based on quality and effort in these answers) Some of the common themes that were displayed on all postcards was the inclusion of beaches, tress like palm trees and the vibe that this a location where you can go to relax or simply for vacation. The only thing I noticed that kind of contradicted that is the fact that some of the postcards would give off a more clustered or busy vibe while some didnt.They might have done that to emphasis the different sides of Santa Barbara. Overall the postcards were rather accurate.
