What is Geography?A Close Look at Geography as a Social Science Discipline

Geography is the scientific and systematic study of both the physical and cultural features of the earth’s surface. It is a spatial perspective looking at patterns and distributions on the earth’s surface.

Questions that “Geography” addresses

Where are things located?Why are they important?How are places related?How are places connected?How are humans affected by these

locations?

Difference between Physical Geography and Human or Cultural Geography

Physical Geography is the study of the four spheres (Lithosphere, Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, and Biosphere)

Geomorphology-studies the form and structure of the surface of the earth

Climatology-involves the study of long term weather conditions on the earth

Hydrography-concerns the distribution of water (oceans, rivers, lakes, and their uses)

Biogeography-studies the flora (plant life) and the fauna (animal life)

Pedology-study the soilsEcology-studies the interactions between life

forms and the environmentGeoglogy- study of rocks and the earth’s interior

Human Geography is the study of the spatial differentiation and organization of human activity on the earth’s surface.

Historical GeographyDemography and Population GeographyPolitical Geography-nations, boundaries, geopolitics,

military movements, treaties, devolution, choke points and imperialism

Geography of ReligionGeography of LanguagesUrban Geography-settlements, cities and transportation

systemsEconomic Geography-Industries, economic development

and manufacturing regionsAgricultural GeographyMedical GeographySocial GeographyEnvironmental Geography

History of Geography

Development of Geographic Thought

“Four Traditions of Geography”Earth Science Tradition (physical

geography approach)Locational Tradition (use of satellite

imaging-mapping)Cultural-Environment Tradition (impact of

deforestation)Area-Analysis Tradition (regional patterns

of development)

Development of Geographic Thought

“Why Geography Matters” (DeBlij)Age of Exploration (China, European, Islamic)

Globalization(expansion of economic and political activities aided by information technology and transportation)

Devolution(regions within countries demanding autonomy)

Supranationalism(E.E.C., A.P.E.C., N.A.T.O.)

Environmental DegradationRemote Sensing(spy satellites-used in Iraq and

Afghanistan)

Approaches to the Study of Geography

Regional(Latin America, Subsaharan Africa, Southeast Asia)

Systematic(Human Geography, Physical Geography, Historical Geography)

The Importance of Physical Geography to Human Geography

Koppen Classification System of Climates (based on rainfall and temperatures)

Humid Equatorial Climates-no dry season, short dry season, and dry winters

Dry Climates-semiarid and aridHumid Temperate Climates-no dry season,

dry winter, dry summerHumid Cold Climates-no dry season, dry

winterCold Polar Climate (tundra and ice)Highland Climate (vertical)

Koppen Classification System

Greenhouse Effects- “Global Warming”El Nino-areas of regional warmingSoils (fertility and degradation)Global Distribution of Precipitation

◦Monsoons◦Intensity-Regularity

Ecosystems or Ecological Systems

Ecosystems are living communities of plants and animals that share common characteristics—primarily related to climate, soil, and vegetation.◦Abiotic Elements-those that are non-living but that

affect systems (water, heat, relief, nutrients, rocks, atmosphere)

◦Biotic Elements-those living elements of the ecosystem (plants and animals)

Food Chains (sequences of consumption)Biomes (large subdivisions of terrestrial ecosystems found

in the world)

Other physical interactions

Major Global BiomesDesertification and the SahelThe Management of Global Ecosystems

◦Sustainability-main method of management

Major Physical Problems

Tropical Rainforests-removal of trees results in removal of nutrients for soil, less oxygen produced and more CO-2 remains in the atmosphere

Acid Rain-sulfur dioxides and nitrogen oxides emitted from power pollutes lakes and rivers (pollution from Britain and Western Europe has damaged Scandanavia and Eastern European countries: also, pollution from the midwestern states had damaged the Great Lakes and Eastern Canada)

Tools and Methods of Geographers

Collecting Data◦Field Studies◦Secondary Sources (censuses, surveys, maps, and

photographs)◦Since WWII (aerial photography, radar, underwater

crafts (bathyspheres) and “Remote Sensing” with satellites. Information obtained from the Landsat satellite is used to map land use, manage forested land, estimate crop prodution, monitoring grazing conditions, access to quality water and protect wildlife

◦Global Positioning System-a series of satellites that provide precise information on location, altitude, and time

Tools and Methods of Geographers

Cartography-the art and science of creating, using and study of mapping◦The map is the most important tool of

geography◦Maps provide a wealth of factual information

such as visual comparisons between areas and geographic features of an area

Tools and Methods of Geographers

Analyzing Geographic Information◦Since the 1950’s geographers have made

increasing use of quantitative methods and techniques to analyze data

◦Quantitative methods have been particularly useful in location theory and population distribution

Tools and Methods of Geographers

Geographic Information Systems◦GIS is a computer technology that manages

georeferenced information◦GIS allows the analysis of mass amounts of

data in a two or three dimensional imaging systems

Tools and Methods of Geographers

Types of Maps

Topographic

Tools and Methods of Geographers

Types of Maps

Thematic◦Dot maps◦Choropleth maps◦Isoline maps

Tools and Methods of Geographers

Types of Maps

Physical

Tools and Methods of Geographers

Types of Maps

Political