Geography for Life
What is Geography?
Geography is the study of
WHAT IS WHERE and HOW
IT GOT THERE.
What is Geography?
Geography is a representation of the whole known world
together with the phenomena which are contained therein.
Ptolemy, Geographia 2nd Century A.D.
Geography is the science of place. Its vision is grand, its
view panoramic. It sweeps the surface of the Earth,
charting the physical, organic and cultural terrain, their
areal differentiation, and their ecological dynamics with
humankind. Its foremost tool is the map.
Leonard Krishtalka, Carnegie Museum of Natural
History, 20th Century A.D.
What is Geography?
Geography is the study of what is
where and why it’s there.
Okay, but what exactly is it?
Well, it’s a way of thinking about intellectual problems, both natural and
societal, which emphasizes the importance of spatial relationships..
Take any social, environmental, or physical question or problem and ask
yourself whether there is a spatial aspect to it. Chances are that space
and place play a role in the explanation and distribution of that
question.
For example:
Why are so many plant and animal species becoming extinct at the end
of the twentieth century?
Why does Africa seem to have so many political conflicts/wars?
Why is corn such an important part of a traditional Mexican diet?
Why are some beer brands known as India Pale Ales?
Divisions of Geography
Geography is a bridge between the natural and social sciences.
Geography is a holistic or synthesizing science, combining
elements of many disciplines.
• Physical Geography Human Geography
• Rocks and Minerals Population
• Landforms Settlements
• Soils Economic Activities
• Animals Transportation
• Plants Recreational Activities
• Water Religion
• Atmosphere Political Systems
• Rivers and Other Water Bodies Social Traditions
• Environment Human Migration
• Climate and Weather Agricultural Systems
Geotechniques
• GIS, GPS, Remote-Sensing, Cartography
The Five Themes of Geography
Human features
Place Physical features
Region united by similar physical conditions
Region United by common cultural traits
People adapt to the environment
Interaction People change the environment
Absolute location (latitude and longitude)
Location Relative location (in relation to another place)
Travel from place to place
Movement Exchange of goods and ideas
Population Concentrations
The Geography of Breakfast
• a geographic thinking demonstration
Take a minute to write down everything ate for breakfast or lunch today
Breakfast Foods
Food Place of Origin Current Production
coffee Ethiopia Lowland Tropics
oranges South Asia, India US, Mediterranean
pork China, South Asia Worldwide
wheat Near East US, Russia, Argentina
tea China Asia, South Asia
oats Near East Temperate Climates
pepper South America Americas, Asia
COFFEE PRODUCTION
Top Ten Coffee Growing Countries (Yellow)
First domesticated in Ethiopia, coffee has come to be a major
export crop for colonial countries and continues to provide much of
the export income in these less developed countries. In Uganda, 70-
80% of export revenue is generated by coffee. Many issues are
raised by the continuation of such colonial economics.
CHOCOLATE
Chocolate was “discovered” for Europe by Christopher Columbus,
but it’s commercial possibilities were recognized by Hernan
Cortez who was served a drink made from cocoa beans by
Moctezuma, leader of the Aztecs (whom he later executed).
The cacao tree, like coffee, grows only in the tropics. Today it
is grown primarily for export to the U.S. and Europe.
Coffee Consumption (per capita)
#1 Norway: 10.7 kgs
#2 Finland: 10.1 kgs
#3 Denmark: 9.7 kgs
#4 Sweden: 7.8 kgs
#5 Netherlands: 7.1 kgs
#6 Switzerland: 7 kgs
#7 Germany: 5.7 kgs
#8 Austria: 5.5 kgs
#9 Belgium: 5 kgs
#10 France: 3.9 kgs
#11 Italy: 3.2 kgs
#12 United States: 3 kgs
Effects of the Seasons
Daylength
Tilt of the earth on its axis.
• The earth is tilted 23.5º from
perpendicular to the plane of the ecliptic.
• Tilt is currently constantly toward Polaris
Animation
Geographic Information Science
•
(GIS)
A GIS is "an organized collection of computer hardware, software,
geographic data, and personnel designed to efficiently capture,
store, update, manipulate, analyze, and display all forms of
geographically referenced information."
Famous Geography Students
Prince William of Wales – Majored
in Geography at University of Saint
Andrews, Scotland
Michael Jordan – Majored in
Cultural Geography at University of
North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Mother Teresa - Taught Geography
and History in Calcutta for 15
Years
Jobs in Geography
Aerial Photo Interpreter Facilities Planner Land Developer
Site Researcher Agricultural Extension Agent Forestry Technician
Land Economist Soil Conservationist Air/Water Quality Control
Manager
Geographer Land-Use Analyst Surveyor
Cartographer Geographic Area Specialist Location Expert
Systems Analyst Cartography Compiler Geographic Attache'
Map Analyst Teacher Climatologist
Geographic Information Map Curator/Librarian Traffic Manager
Systems
Coastal Zone Manager Geophysics Assistant Map Editor
Transportation Analyst Community Developer Hazardous Waste Planner
Market Research Analyst Transportation Manager Computer Mapper
Health Services Planner Natural Resources Spec. Travel Agent/Specialist
Computer Programmer Health Services Organization Outdoor Guide
Manager
Urban/Regional Planner Demographer Hydrologist
Park Ranger Weather Forecaster Earth Scientist
Industrial Developer Peace Corp Volunteer Wildlife Manager
Ecologist Industrial Planner Property Manager
Writer/Author Editor Intelligence Agent
Public Utilities Specialist Zoning Investigator Env. Impact Analyst
International Business Rep Real Estate Environmental Quality Specialist
Fieldwork:
Geographers as
Contemporary
Explorers
Ecuador
India
Quito, Ecuador
Northern Baja Rest Stop
Taos, New Mexico
Thailand
Guarding the Great Wall of China
Trim Castle, Ireland