Chapter 1 (Rubenstein 11 - PowerPoint Presentation

Chapter 1(Rubenstein 11th ed.) Basic Concepts of Geography

Key Issue 1 How Do Geographers Describe Where Things Are? A map of the US based on movie titles & state location

MapsGeography = Greek wordGeo = earth; graphy = to write Geography is the study of where things are found on the Earth’s surface and why they are at that location Map of Chicago’s neighborhoods Street map of Chicago

MapsGeographers think SPACIALLY Where are things located on the Earth and why? Maps are a geographer’s basic & most important tool A map is a 2D model of the EarthCartography = study of mapmaking Maps serve 2 purposes: 1. Reference tool Where is the lake? How do I get to Joan’s house? What is the route for the fire escape? 2. Communication tool – primary use for modern maps How much land is used for cattle farming? How did each county vote in the local election? Where do most college graduates live in the US?

Maps Public transportation in Hong Kong

Map Scale1st question to ask: how much detail to include in your map? All maps are of Saint Viator High School

Map ScaleScale can be presented in 3 ways on a map Ratio or Fraction Expressed as: 1:b or 1/b 1 unit : b number of units (1 ft = 1 mile, 1 inch = 10 miles, 1 meter = 49 meters, etc) 1:10,000; 1/10,000; 1:8500; 1/65Written Scale Describes distance in words “1 inch equals 10,000 ft”; “1 cm equals 1 mile” Graphic Scale A bar line that shows distance

Map ScaleMatch the scale to the correct term Graphic Written Ratio/Fraction

Map Scale

Small Scale Large Scale

Spatial Associations @ Various Scales Spatial Association at Various Scales Death rates from cancer in the U.S., Maryland, and Baltimore show different patterns that can identify associations with different factors.

Spatial Associations @ Various Scales 2012 Presidential Election County Results Blue = Obama Red = Romney Why is IL a “blue” state? More counties voted for Romney.

ProjectionEarth = sphere; Globe = sphere Pros: accurately represent places on the earth Cons: can’t add much detail, size and shape Earth = sphere; Map = flat Pros: can add much detail, very portableCons: image distortion Projection = the scientific method of transferring locations on earth to a flat map Distortion = inaccurate depiction of a place on a map You Tube – West Wing “Why are we changing maps?”

ProjectionThere are 4 types of distortion Shape Distance Size Direction

U.S.-centered world map

Asia-centered world map

Geographic GridMeridians = lines drawn from one pole to the other; run north-south; meet @ poles Measured in longitude (max = 180 o ) Prime Meridian = 0o longitude Parallels = lines drawn parallel to the equator; run east-west; never touch other parallels Measured in latitude (max = 90 o )Equator = 0o latitudeLatitude & longitude measured in: DegreesMinutesSeconds What is at: N 42o 5’ 40” W 87 o 58’ 11”

Geographic Grid360 divided by 15 = 24 Each meridian = 15 o wide 24 total meridians around the EarthGreenwich Mean Time (GMT)Prime Meridian Reference point for all time on Earth 1 meridian = 1 hour International Date Line Move forward or back 24 hrs (depending on route of travel) Located at 180o longitude

Contemporary toolsGIScience = geographic information science Uses satellites to obtain info about Earth GPS = Global positioning system GIS = Geographic Information System Computer system that stores & analyzes data Used to produce accurate maps Info collected can be stored in layers (roads, names, water, etc.) Mashup = mixing of layers of GIS info

Key Issue 2Why Is Each Point on Earth Unique?

PlacePlace = specific point on Earth distinguished by a particular characteristic Location = the position something occupies on the Earth’s surface 3 ways to indentify location Place name SiteSituation

Place NameToponym = name given to a place on Earth St. Louis, Rocky Mountains, Gobi Dessert, Andalusia, Oakton St. Names determined by any number of factors Famous person (Martin Luther King High School) Connection to area ( Dunton St. – William Dunton = founder of Arlington Heights) Natural landmarks (Nile Delta)Conquest (Constantinople / Istanbul)Origin of settlers (Witwatersrand = rocky hills near Johannesburg, South Africa; Dutch name)

SituationSituation = location of a place in relation to other places Allows comparisons between unfamiliar places with familiar ones Allows understanding of importance of a location. * See Site & Situation PowerPoint

SiteSite = physical characteristic of a place Climate, topography, soil, vegetation, latitude, elevation Site factors influence settlement locations protection? trade routes? natural resources? Humans can modify a site Northerly Island in Chicago is a man-made peninsula.

RegionRegion: an area defined by one or more distinctive characteristics A place can be included in more than one region Can be applied to any area smaller than the planet Ex: Latin America, Bible Belt, Wrigleyville Cultural landscape: combination of cultural features (ex: language, religion), economic features (ex: agriculture, industry), & physical features (ex: climate, vegetation) There are 3 types of regions: Formal Functional Vernacular

Formal RegionAlso called “uniform region”Area where everyone shares one or more distinctive characteristics Can be cultural (ex: common language), economic (ex: production of one product – Detroit & cars), or environmental (ex: same climate) Some regions the characteristic may be predominant, not universal. (see pg. 16 election map for example)

Functional Region Also called nodal regionArea organized around a node or focal point Central focused and importance diminishes further from epicenter Ex: radio station reach – Chicagoans care about WSCR 670 AM sports talk but even though you can hear the broadcast in Indianapolis & St. Louis, those residents don’t care as much about Chicago sports

Map of WSCR broadcast range

Vernacular RegionAlso called perceptual regionArea people believe exist as a part of cultural identity Drawing a mental map of a place

Divide the US based on your impressions

CultureCulture: beliefs, customs, traditions, social structure, and tangible items of a group of people Has two different meanings: To care about: to worship To take care of: to look after something What people care aboutIdeas, beliefs and values Ex: language, religion, politics, race, social status What people take care of Production of material Ex: food, clothing, art

Spatial AssociationRegions A wide lens in viewing an area may not be accurate in describing a region

Key Issue 3Why are Different Places Similar?

Scale: From Local to GlobalScale: relationship between portion of Earth being studied and the Earth as a whole Globalization: force or process that involves the entire world & results in making something worldwide in scope

Globalization of the EconomyExample: 2008 recession 1 st global recession Housing prices increaseBanks giving loans @ low interest ratesBanks giving loans to high-risk applicants Wealthy bought 2 or 3 homes as investments

Globalization of the EconomyPeople stopped buying homesPeople couldn’t keep up with mortgage payments Value of homes drops Selling a home for less than purchase price People not buying furniture, tvs, pools, shower curtains, etc. Companies that make household items lose money and fire workers to keep from going bankrupt

Globalization of the EconomyGlobalization led by transnational corporationsGlobalization leads to specialization Each place contributes a specific part based on local assets (ex: natural resources, labor, research, transportation, etc.) Ex: Nike HQ: Oregon Shoes made in Asia Charities in Africa Sponsors soccer teams Sold worldwide FC Barcelona jersey

Globalization of Culture