Introduction: Geography and
Human Geography
Chapter 1
The mission of Human Geography?
The two halves of Geography?
Human Geography Subfields
• Cultural
• Population
• Medical
• Economic
• Political
• Behavioral
• Linguistics
• Urban
• Environmental
Physical Geography
• Climatology
• Agronomy
• Environmental Science
• Biomes
• Meteorology
• Geology
• Astronomy
Spatial Perspective
• The common bond between human and
physical geography
• The way places and things are laid out or
organized and arranged on Earth’s surface
• Studies patterns and distributions when
trying to answer the question: How has a
particular arrangement come about?
• Not always evident
Application of the Spatial
Perspective
Human Geography
Mapping the distribution of diseases like AIDS
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Origin
Diffusion
Physical Geography
Alfred Wegener
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•
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All landmasses were one in the beginning
Based on the spatial layout of the physical world
Led to the discovery of plate tectonics and crustal
spreading
Traditions of Geography
Dr. William D. Pattison
University of Chicago
1964
Earth Science Traditions
• Reflects work in the natural or physical
world of geography
• Studies process, cycles, patterns and
systems that alter the physical world
• Develops predictions from analysis
created from field observations (i.e., soil
fertility, climate change, river dynamics,
etc.)
Earth Science Tradition
Example 1
• Flooding patterns of
the Mississippi River
Question: If the river
floods every 100
years and crests at 25
feet;
• How will humans be
affected?
• What can be done to
prepare for or repair
this problem?
Example 2
• The destruction of the
rain forests
Questions: If the rain
forests are cut down at
an average rate of
1000 acres per day:
• How will humans be
affected
• How will this contribute
to the economic
development of a
nation?
Cultural-Environment Tradition
• Studies the relationship between humans
and their physical environment
• Studies the impact people have on the
environment
• Often falls to criticism by the antienvironmentalists and various industries
Example: Drilling for oil in the Arctic
National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)
Location Theory Tradition
• Focuses on the spatial study and the
spatial relationships of geography
• Data (Quantitative) centered
- Satellite data
- electronic sampling
- surveys
- research
• Questions: Why is something where it is?
• Examples: Location of the Woodfield Mall,
Flyer’s Stadium
Area Analysis Theory Tradition
• Studies areas and regions (Descriptions)
• Studies physical areas and regions
(desert)
• Studies cultural areas and regions
(Palestine)
Example:
Analyze the issues of an area or a region;
pollution, war, poverty, etc.