Geog 100 Chapter 1

Question 1

Human Geography studies..?

Answer 1

Spatial organization, spatial patterns, human activity and the relation w/ environment.

Question 2

Human Activity is..? How can it be organized?

Answer 2

Anything + everything humans do, believe, make, feel and know. Can be organized as political, economic, cultural.

Question 3

Spatial Patterns and Organizations are..?

Answer 3

The arrangement of natural and man-made objects and human activities on the Earth.

Question 4

4 Aspects of Spatial Patterns/ Organizations

Answer 4

1) Distribution of population, industry and cities (land use)
2) Movements between places (people, goods, money)
3) Hierarchies between places (why is one place more powerful politically, economically?)
4) Interaction between places

Question 5

3 Basic tools of Geography?

Answer 5

1) Observation (Quantitative [remote sensing, satellites] and Qualitative [ethnographies])
2) Visualization/ Representation (maps, graphs)
3) Modelling (Geographic Info System + other computer based models)

Question 6

Our world is being increasing characterized by…? (4)

Answer 6

1) Instant global communications
2) International relations
3) Local changes due to global events and decisions.
4) Common global problems of environmental degradation.

Question 7

Location?

Answer 7

Nominal- Expressed in terms of names given to regions and places.
Absolute- Fixed mathematically through coords.
Relative- Situation of a place in relation to another place.

Question 8

Distance?

Answer 8

Absolute- Physical measurement (km)
Relative- A place can be closer in time even if it is farther in absolute distance (planes, traffic)
Cognitive- How far a place seems to be in your mind.

Question 9

Space?

Answer 9

3D realm in which material objects and human activities are located. A factual physical space, and an abstract social space.
Absolute- mathematical, measurable.
Cultural- Places where the inhabitants share many cultural attributes in common.
Cognitive- Defined by values, feelings, beliefs, perceptions, districts regions, may be imaginary space only within minds.

Question 10

Place?

Answer 10

Space filled with meaning. Objective (mathematical) and subjective (personal) ie, A house vs, my house.

Question 11

Region?

Answer 11

Formal- Uniform in terms of specific characteristic (Scottish Highlands).
Functional- Functions as a unit, due to political, economic, transport structures.
Vernacular- People consider it a region (mental map)

Question 12

Spatial Interaction?

Answer 12

Movements and flows involved in human activity.(freight shipment, travel, money…

Question 13

Scale? (4)

Answer 13

Various scales of analysis for geographers: Global, National, Regional, Local

Question 14

Spatial diffusion?

Answer 14

The way things spread through space, over time. Commonly seen as an ‘S’ curve. (Culture, disease, technology)