Mr. Boothby KEY
World Geography
Lecture Notes CH I Sec 2
Read pages 7-9 in your textbook before you begin to answer these questions. Remember to always
answer by using complete sentences. Keep this sheet in your notebook!
I. Branches of Geography:
1. What are a few of the topics “geography” covers?
Tourism/ Buildings/ Global Warming/ Travel/ Work/ Map making/ location/ Math/ Science/ English/ Spanish/ French/ etc…
2. What are the five major branches of geography that we will be covering this semester?
Theme 1 Location:Site where it is in Degrees and feet Lat/Long
Theme 2 Place: Characteristics of the Location Hot/Cold/Crowded, etc...
Theme 3 Human-Environmental Interaction: How we change or interact with the land USA=Very Poor
Theme 4 Movement:Where populations go; Many are now immigrating to the USA example:Mexico
Theme 5 Region:An area with common characteristics example; Those that speak Arabic in the Sahel/W
africa.
3. What is human geography? Why is it so interesting to most people (you may think it is
boring)? This is the study of how people and their activities vary from place to place! We will really hit this in question #5! It is
always exciting to study what others do from cannibalism, terrorism, murder, polygamy, polytheism, etc… Sometimes the most
barbaric are the most interesting…like a real life soap opera!!!
4. What are some of the differences cultures can have in relation to human geography?
They can have different Cultural factors as seen in question #5, economy, politics, cities, and general ways of life (also #5)
5. Why do we find the culture of the ebo-tribesman of Africa to be barbaric (This isn’t in
the book)? What are your thoughts on this type of behavior?
This is a very primitive group in Africa that is primarily a hunter/gatherer community. The male goes out and hunts while the female
stays in her hut feeding and raising the children. If the male is deemed gone for an excessive time and the wife wishes to be with
another male she simply places a stick outside the tent!!!
6. What are the primary boundaries for many of the States in the USA?
Rivers, Mountain Ranges, Oceans, Deserts, and other landforms (Oceans of Coarse).
II. Geography as a profession:
7. Why do most professions require an understanding of geography? Give at least 2
examples/ don’t steal the doctor, news reporter, or grocery store ones!)
Truck Driver: Must be able to use a map to find destinations. I did a poor job of this in college refusing to use my maps!!!
Scientists: Need geographic data for a number of reasons including earthquake predictions!
8. Who is cartography and what do cartographers do? Sounds like an exciting job…???
This is the branch of geography that studies and makes maps. I think today this boring but in the 1400’s… a very cool job! Like a
modern NASA Astronaut.
9. What is topography and what is the textbook definition for topographic?
This is the study of surface features. Topographic maps are the ones that have raised surfaces like the globe, showing elevation
(surface). Usually we push them in and destroy the maps!
10. What is meteorology and why are they so accurate all of the time?
This is the field of geography that studies the weather and it is usually not very accurate!
11. Why do business people (especially) need to have great knowledge of geography?
They decide where stores will go, schedules for airlines, and trucking companies, identify new business routes and markets. They
help in times of crisis like with Hurricane Katrina in sending supplies. Plus people will think you are an idiot if you don’t know where
France or Portugal are! Trust me!!!
12. Why are geography teachers some of the most important professional on the planet?
They help to develop an informed public!
13. Geographic _knowledge_ is necessary for good _citizenship_!!!