Chapter 1 study guide Flashcards
what two questions do geographers ask?
- where are people and activities found on Earth?
- why are they found there?
give a definition for geography in your own words
the study of where things are found on Earth’s surface and the reasons for the locations
what are the two major branches of geography?
human geography and physical geography
what are the two main features of “human geography”?
cultural and economy
what is the most important tool of geographers?
a map
why is every “place” so unique?
every place is distinguished by a particular characteristic. every place occupies a unique location, or position, on Earth’s surface
give an example of a map that would have smaller scale
a map showing the entire United States
give an example of a map that would have larger scale
a map showing a neighborhood in a city
give an example of “scale” relating to globalization
the position of Earth being studied and the Earth as a whole
why are geographers so interested in “connections”?
it explains how people living in 2 different areas do the same thing for a living
define a “region” and give 2 examples of them
an area of Earth defined by one or more distinctive characteristics
example: North America and Latin America
what do “cartographers” do?
do fieldwork to collect and verify data used in creating maps
name 2 purposes a map
- as a reference tool to identify an object’s absolute and relative locations
- as a communications tool to convey the distribution of human activities or physical features
name one contribution each of the following people made to geography
a. Aristotle - who was the first to demonstrate that Earth was spherical on the basis of evidence
b. Thales - who applied principles of geometry to measuring land areas
c. Eratosthenes - the inventor of the word geography, who accepted that Earth was round, calculated its circumference within 0.5 percent accuracy, accurately divided Earth into five climatic regions, and described the known world in one of the first geography books
d. Ptolemy - who wrote the eight-volume Guide to Geography, codified basic principles of mapmaking, and prepared numerous maps that were not improved upon for more than 1,000 years
e. Phei Hsiu - the father of chinese cartography, produced an elaborate map of China in A.D. 267
f. Ibn-Battutah - a moroccan scholar, who wrote Rihla based on three decades of journeys covering more than 120,000 kilometers through the Muslim world of Northern Africa, Southern Europe, and much of Asia
g. Mercator - a flemish cartographer who invented a system of setting lines of latitude and longitude on charts of the spherical Earth, the “Mercator Projection”, which has become a standard for maps into modern times
what is “fractional/ratio scale?
displays scale in a fraction such as 1/1,000
what is written scale?
displays scale in a written form such as 1 in. equals 1 mile
what is graphic scale?
consists of a bar marked on the map to show equivalent distance on the Earth’s surface
what is “projection” in geographical terms?
the scientific method of transferring locations on Earth’s surface to a flat map
name 4 problems with distortion when we try to represent the earth on flat surface
- the SHAPE of an area can be distorted, so that it appears more elongated or squat than it is in reality
- the DISTANCE between two points may become increased or decreased
- the RELATIVE SIZE of different areas may be altered, so that one area may appear larger than another on a map while it is in reality smaller
- the DIRECTION from one place to another can be distorted
what are the problems with distortion when using a:
a. Robinson Projection - by allocating space to the oceans, the land areas are much smaller than on interrupted maps of the same size
b. Mercator Projection - relative size is grossly distorted toward the poles, making high-latitude places look much larger than they actually are
why was the Land Ordinance of 1785 so significant?
it divided the U.S. into 2 townships
what is a “township”?
square with 6 miles on each side with 36 sections
what is a “range”?
2nd number corresponding with its location East or West of the principle meridian
is the township and range system found anywhere today? where?
yes, it is found in locations of highways across the Midwest
what is “GIS”?
a geographic information system captures, stores, queries, and displays the geographic data
how does GIS work and who uses it and why is it so valuable?
GIS produces maps that are more accurate and attractive than those drawn by hand. Geographers and mapmakers use it. It is valuable because it is more accurate and it can construct more complex maps and measure changes over time in the characteristics of places
what is “remote sensing” and how does it work?
remote sensing is the acquisition of data about Earth’s surface from a satellite orbiting Earth or from other long distance methods. Remote sensing satellites scan Earth’s surface and transmit images in digital form to a receiving station on Earth’s surface
what is “topographic map” and how is it used?
a topographic map is a detailed and accurate two-dimensional representation of natural and human-made features on the Earth’s surface. It is used for camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, urban planning, resource management, and surveying
what is GPS and who uses it?
GPS is a system that determines the precise position of something on Earth. GPS is used by pilots of aircrafts and ships and vehicles
how can GPS be so precise?
GPS uses satellites to figure out the distance to each, and use this information to pinpoint its own location
what is “toponym”?
a toponym is the name given to a place on Earth
what are some of the factors taken into accounts when naming places?
named after famous individuals, significant events, physical features of an area, or a chosen religion
what is the difference between “site” and “situation”?
site is the physical character of a place and situation is is the location of a place relative to other places
give 3 examples of site factors
climate, topography, and elevation
give 3 examples of situation factors
personal, environmental, and emotional
where is the “prime meridian”?
the prime meridian passes through the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, England
how is “longitude” determined?
longitude is determined by a numbering system
where is the “International Date Line”?
follows 180 degrees longitude
what is Greenwich Mean Time?
the time at the prime meridian, which is the master reference time for allpoints on Earth
when it is 2:00 PM in Fort Myers on January 30th what time is it in Sydney, Australia?
January 31st 4:00 AM
what is meant by a “sense of place”?
a feeling for the features that contribute to the distinctiveness of a particular spot on Earth - perhaps a hometown, vacation destination, or part of a country
define a “formal region” and give 3 examples NOT in the book
an area within which everyone shares in common one or more distinctive characteristics
examples: common language, common political system, and particular vegetation
define a “functional region” and give 3 examples NOT in the book
an area organized around a node or focal point
examples: transportation, communication, and economic activities
define a “vernacular region” and give 3 examples NOT in the book
an area that people believe exists as part of their cultural identity
examples: New York City, The South, and New England
how do physical features of a region influence human activities?
if the physical features won’t allow them to build on a spot then they won’t want to live there
what is culture?
the body of customary beliefs, material traits, and social forms that together constitute the distinct tradition of a group of people
what are the fundamental elements of culture?
social organization, customs and traditions, religion, language, arts and literature, forms of government, economic systems
what is meant by “Scale: From Local to Global”?
geographers think about scale at many different levels
what is spatial association?
the relationship between the distribution of one feature and the distribution of another feature
explain the idea of cultural landscape?
a combination of cultural features such as language and religion, economic features such as agriculture and industry, and physical features such as climate and vegetation
what is the difference between “Distribution” and “Density”?
distribution is the arrangement of a feature in space and density is the frequency with which something occurs in space
what is the difference between “Density” and “Concentration”?
density is the frequency with which something occurs in space and concentration is the extent of a features spread over space
name 3 properties of distribution
density, concentration, and pattern
what is meant by “Space-Time Compression” and give 2 examples?
space-time compression to describe the reduction in the time it takes for something to reach another place
example: TV Networks and cellphones
with whom, when and where did geography as a discipline originate?
Eratosthenes, 276-ca. 195 B.C., Ancient Eastern Mediterranean
why does every map have some degree of distortion?
the earth is round and it is hard to draw a map on a flat piece of paper
what map projection is directionally correct and good for ocean navigation, but has some extremely distorted regions?
Robinson Projection
what is absolute location? Give an example of absolute location
a latitude and longitude (global location) or a street address (local location)
example: Paris, France is 48 degrees North latitude and 2 degrees East longitude
what is relative location? Give an example of relative location?
described by landmarks, time, direction or distance from one place to another
example: go 1 mile West on main street and turn left for 1 block
what is environmental determinism?
a nineteenth and early twentieth - century approach to the study of geography which argued that the general laws sought by human geographers could be found in the physical sciences
what is possibilism?
the theory that the physical environment may set limits on human actions, but the people have the ability to adjust to the physical environment and choose a course of action from many alternatives
what is cultural ecology?
the geographic study of human - environment relationships
what kind of region reflects personal or popular impressions of territory and spatial divisions?
vernacular region
what is diffusion?
the process by which a feature spreads across space from one place to another over time
explain contagious diffusion and give an example
contagious diffusion is the rapid, widespread diffusion of a characteristic throughout the population
example: new music or an idea goes viral because web surfers throughout the world have access to the same material simultaneously
explain expansion diffusion and give an example
expansion diffusion is the spread of a feature from one place to another in an additive process
example: Islam spread from its hearth to other areas around and outside of its hearth
explain hierarchical diffusion and give and example
hierarchical diffusion is the spread of an idea from persons or nodes of authority or power to other persons or places
example: hip-hop or rap music is an example of an innovation that originated in urban areas, though it diffused from low-income African Americans
explain relocation diffusion and give an example
relocation diffusion is the spread of an idea through physical movement of people from one place to another
example: spread of Christianity, when people moved and brought it with them
explain stimulus diffusion and give an example
stimulus diffusion is the spread of an underlying principle even though a characteristic itself apparently fails to diffuse
example: innovative features of Apple’s iPhone and iPad have been adopted by competitors
how are economic and cultural globalization different from each other?
cultural globalization is the transmission of ideas, meanings, and values around the world in such a way as to extend and intensify social relations. Economic globalization is the increasing interdependence of world economies as a result of the growing scale of cross-border trade of commodities and services, flow of international capital and wide and rapid spread of technologies
give some examples of cultural globalization
fast food restaurants, service stations, and retail chains
give some examples of economic globalization
McDonalds, Chico’s, and Apple Products
what is transnational corporation?
a transnational corporation conducts research, operates factories, and sells product in many countries, not just where its headquarters and principal shareholders are located
list the common practices of a transnational corporation
exploiting the distinctive economic assets of different countries and regions, organizing production according to a spatial division of labor, placing earnings in offshore bank accounts to avoid paying taxes, and moving factories from high wage regions to low wage regions
what is a hearth?
hearth is a place from which an innovation originates
what does the concept of sustainability encourage?
it encourages to use Earth’s resources in a way to make sure there is some for the future
what are the 3 pillars of sustainability?
environment, society, and economy
what various methods will supposedly help sustain the environment for future generations?
recycling paper and plastic, developing new industrial processes, and protecting farmland from urban sprawl
Globe Grid: describe the properties, key reference point, draw and label diagram, explain difficulties cartographers have in displaying globe grid on a map
- all meridians are of equal length
- all meridians converge at the poles and are true north-south lines
- all lines of latitude are parallel to the equator and to each other
- parallels decrease in length as one nears the poles
- meridians and parallels intersect at right angles
Key References:
- North and South poles
- Equator
- Prime meridian
cartographers have difficulties displaying globe grid on a map because you can’t draw arcs on a flat piece of paper
compare and contrast vernacular region, formal region, and functional region, use examples for each
vernacular region - an area that people believe exists as part of their cultural identity
example: New York City
formal region - an area within which everyone shares in common one or more distinctive characteristics
example: common language
functional region - an area organized around a node or focal point
example: transportation
globalization: causes, explain two different types of globalization, positive and negative consequences of globalization
- improved communications
- improved transport
- free trade agreements
- global banking
- the growth of MNCs
economic globalization - the increasing economic interdependence of national economies across the world through a rapid increase in cross-border movement of goods, service, technology, and capital
cultural globalization - a phenomenon by which the experience of everyday life, as influenced by the diffusion of commodities and ideas, reflects a standardization of cultural expressions around the world
Positive:
- global market
- competition
- culture
- legal effects
- stable security
Negative:
- environmental damage
- fluctuation in prices
- job insecurity
map projections: compare and contrast mercator projection, robinson projection, and the peters projection. give advantages and disadvantages of each projection
mercator projection - a projection of a map of the world onto a cylinder in such a way that all the parallels of latitude have the same length as the equator
Advantage:
- shape distorted very little
- direction is consistent
- map is rectangular
Disadvantage:
- relative size is grossly distorted toward the poles
robinson projection - a projection that attempts to balance several possible projection errors
Advantage:
-useful for displaying information across the ocean
Disadvantage:
- by allocating space to the oceans, the land areas are much smaller than on interrupted maps
peters projection - focuses on keeping land masses equal in area
Advantage:
- areas of equal size on the globe are also equally sized on the map
Disadvantage:
- suffers extreme distortion in the polar regions
