Geo Journal 1 (ISN) Pick a place in the world that you have visited (local, international). If you have not traveled to another place, choose a special place close to home. Answer in your student section: What did you see in that place? What was the landscape like? What was the weather like? What were the people like? What was the vegetation (plants, flowers, trees) or animals like? Geography Study of the earth’s physical features & living things-humans, animals, plants-that inhabit the planet looks at where all elements are located & how they are related to one another Geographers are specialists who describe earth’s physical, human features, & interactions of people, places, & environments For example, geographers may study volcanoes & why they erupt or analyze a city’s location in relations to climate, landscape, & available transportations. Continent-one of the seven large landmasses on earth Ocean- one of the four major bodies of salt water © CSCOPE 2008 5 Themes of Geography 1.) Location 2.) Place 3.) Movement 4.) Human-Environment Interaction 5.) Region Remembering the 5 themes If you can’t remembering what they are just ask MR. HELP!!! – Movement R – Regions HE – Human Environment interaction L – Location P - Place M LOCATION Where are we? Absolute Location Exact spot at which a place is found on the globe (longitude, latitude, equator, hemisphere(s) Paris France is 48o North Latitude and 2o East Longitude. The White House is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Relative Location Described by landmarks, time, direction or distance. From one place to another. Go 1 mile west on main street and turn left for 1 block. Equator-line circling the earth midway between North & South Poles, divides the earth into hemispheres Hemispheres- two halves (Northern & Southern) (Eastern & Western) Lines of Latitude & Longitude Latitude Lines of parallels that circle earth’s equator Measures distance from north or south in degrees North Pole 90° N (North) South Pole 90° S (South) Longitude Lines of meridians that circles the earth from pole to pole Measures distance east & west Prime Meridian at 0° longitude PLACE What is it like there, what kind of place is it? Human Characteristics What are the main languages, customs, and beliefs. How many people live, work, and visit a place. Physical Characteristics Landforms (mountains, rivers, etc.), climate, vegetation, wildlife, soil, etc. MOVEMENT How are people, goods, ideas moved from place to place? Human Movement Trucks, Trains, Planes Information Movement Phones, computer (email), mail Idea Movement How do ads move from place to place? TV, Radio, Magazines HUMAN-ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION Study of interrelationship between people & physical environment We depend on it. We modify it. People depend on the Tennessee River for water and transportation. People modify our environment by heating and cooling buildings for comfort. We adapt to it. We adapt to the environment by wearing clothing suitable for summer (shorts) and winter (coats), rain and shine. Regions Earth is divided into regions Each region has its own characteristics Either physical or human characteristics 3 Common Forms of Regions Formal Functional Perceptual Formal Region Most important region Formal Region has clear boundaries and is usually defined by a single characteristic Ex: Low rainfall, climate, religion, common government Any distinct area based on one characteristic (physical or human) Sometimes called Uniform Region Functional Region Area defined by one function that may cross political boundaries Often organized around a focal point such as a city or metropolitan Ex: a drainage basin of a great river connection several states Perceptual Region Based on peoples attitudes and emotions about a place Reflects feelings such as physical features, formal political boundaries & economic centers Ex: “The Big Apple” (New York City), El Chuco Town (El Paso) VIDEO: FORMAL, FUNCTIONAL AND PERCEPTUAL REGIONS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LVXiM_u_UM