The Six Essential
Elements of
Geography
What is Geography?
 The study of the
physical, biological &
cultural features of
the Earth’s surface.
What is perspective?
 The way a person looks
at something.
 Geographers use spatial
perspective. Spatial
perspective looks for
patterns in where things
are located on the Earth
& how they are arranged
and then geographers
try to explain these
patterns.
The Two Branches of
Geography
 Human Geography looks at the
distribution & characteristics of the
world’s people.
 Physical Geography focuses on Earth’s
natural environments, which includes
landforms, atmosphere, animals, plants,
soils, & the processes that affect them.
Subfields of Geography
 Cartography – map makers
 Meteorology – weather forecasters
How do we study
Geography?
 We organize information by regions, or
areas that share one or more features
that make it different from the
surrounding areas.
 Ex. Cities, states, countries, continents,
etc.
 Regions are defined by their human &
physical characteristics.
The 6 Essential Elements
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
The World In Spatial Terms
Places & Regions
Physical Systems
Human Systems
Environment & Society
Uses of Geography
#1 The World in Spatial
Terms
 How to acquire, read, &
process information from
maps to report
information.
 Examples?
#1 World in Spatial Terms
 How to use mental
maps to organize
information about
people, places, and
environments.
 What are mental
maps?
#1 World in Spatial Terms
 How to analyze the spatial organization of
people, places, and environments on Earth's
surface.
#2 Places & Regions
 Looks at the physical & human characteristics
of places.
#2 Places & Regions
 How people create
regions to
understand the
Earth’s complexity.
#2 Places & Regions
 How culture and experience influence
people's perception of places and
regions.
BIBLE BELT
#3 Physical Systems
 The physical
processes that shape
the patterns of
Earth's surface.
#3 Physical Systems
 The characteristics and spatial distribution of
ecosystems on Earth's surface.
#4 Human Systems
 The characteristics, distribution, and
migration of human populations on
Earth's surface.
 Why do people live where they do?
#4 Human Systems
 The characteristics,
distributions, and
complexity of Earth's
cultural.
 Looks at language,
religion, music, dance,
etc.
 Where are these cultures
located?
 How do they help make
up the Earth’s culture?
#4 Human Systems
 The patterns and
networks of
economic
interdependence on
Earth's surface.
#4 Human Systems
 How forces of cooperation and conflict among
people influence the division and control of
Earth's surface.
#5 Environment & Society
 How human actions
modify the physical
environment.
#5 Environment & Society
 How physical systems affect human
systems.
#5 Environment & Society
 The changes that occur in the meaning,
use, distribution, and importance of
resources.
#6 Uses of Geography
 How to apply geography
to interpret the past.
 “You can’t understand
history without
understanding
geography.”
 To apply geography to
interpret the present and
plan for the future.
#6 Uses of Geography

What are some

uses of Geography?
1. ________________
2. ________________
3. ________________ 1.
2.
3.
What are some
professions that
incorporate
Geography?
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