Intro to Geography (Both Powerpoints) Flashcards
What is geography
the environmental and human processes that shape our planet and our lives
how humans interact with their environment
how place matters to environmental, economic and cultural issues
Why study geography?
May help us solve issues
Increase understanding of current events
Useful for interaction with the world
Regions
geographic areas that share unifying characteristics
generalized – not all areas within a region share the characteristics
interdependent - connected to other regions
World Regional Geography
explores relationships within and among world regions
Emerging Region
regions that are increasing in their global significance (Pacific Rim)
Sense of Place
The feeling evoked among people as a result of experiences and memories they associate with a location
Anthropocene
Period of Earth’s history where human activity dominates the earth system
Characterized by deforestation, increased C02 in atmosphere, pollution, loss of biodiversity
Maps
are social products
reflect the knowledge, priorities, interpretations, and intentions of creators
Centering and orientation are map maker choice
Longitude (meridians)
Measures distance East or West of Prime Meridian
Values range from 0°to 180°east or west
Latitude (parallels)
Measures distance North or South of Equator
Values range from 0°to 90°north or south
Intersection of a meridian and parallel determines absolute location of point on earth
Further accuracy achieved by dividing degrees into minutes and seconds
map projection
rendering of the Earth on a flat surface.
has distortion in size of features, shape of features, distance and/or direction.
There are hundreds of map projections
Mercator Projection
Cylindrical
Size of land masses is distorted – especially near the polar regions
Shows compass directions as straight lines– used for ship navigation
Peters Projection•
Cylindrical
Size of land masses is accurate
Shape of land masses is distorted
Peters Projection
Cylindrical
Size of land masses is accurate
Shape of land masses is distorted
Robinson Projection
Pseudo-Cylindrical
Compromise of map distortions
general reference map
Lambert Conformal Conic Projection
Conical
Longitude lines converge at North Pole
Useful for examining mid-latitude regions
Stereographic Projection (North Pole)
Azimuthal
North Pole in center
Useful for examining polar regions
Map Scale
ratio between distance on a map and corresponding distance on the ground
May be displayed as a fraction, text or a bar
Determines the level of detail shown on a map
The smaller the scale (smaller fraction) the less detail shown
Thematic Map
Focuses on a particular topic or subject
Cartogram
Type of thematic map
Size and shape is distorted to emphasize a particular attribute of a place or region
Remote Sensing
gathering data about an object or area as aerial photography or satellite imagery
Often false color
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
combination of hardware, software and geographic data that assists in analysis of geographic information
Combines layers of data from many sources
Show spatial relationships among objects being mapped
Used every day to solve complex issues
Culture
A shared set of attitudes, behavior, symbols and practices of a group pf people
Cultural landscape
combined natural and human features of place that reflect the relationship between people and their environment
Religion
Influences the way different groups of people interact with one another and how they interpret the world
Language
Important component of national/ethnic identity
Can be unifying or divisive
Lingua franca
Endangered languages
Globalization
increasing connections between world regions
result of international commerce, communications, travel, and migration
Potential benefits of globalization
increase in trade and economic success
sharing of knowledge, ideas, technology, and resources
increased cultural understanding
Improvements in health and well-being
Potential challenges associated with globalization
Uneven economic growth (benefits wealthy countries) Increased economic vulnerability Concerns of homogenization cultural imperialism Spread of disease Environmental degradation
Resistance to globalization
Nationalism
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
value of goods and services produced in a country in a particular year
No non-market, overseas investments, quality of life
Human Development Index (HDI)
measures education, life expectancy and standard of living
Development
An in improvement in the economic well-being and standard of living of people
ex. Millennium Development Goals, Sustainable Development Goals
Economic Sectors
Primary activities resource based, extractive
Secondary activities manufacturing/processing
Tertiary activities services
Quaternary activities knowledge, information
Geopolitics
close link between politics and geography
Sovereign state
Power over a territory and people and is recognized by other states
Nation
Group of people sharing common elements of culture (language, religion, etc.)
Nation–state
Homogenous group of people living in a territory
Demography
Study of populations
Most live north of Equator, on 1% of Earth’s land, near water, on fertile soil
India, China, Europe densely populated
Describe the Demographic Transition Model
Stage 1: Brith adn death rates high
Stage 2: Death rates fall, birth rate doesn’t, total pop rises
Stage 3: Birth rates start falling
Stage 4 and 5: Birth/death rates similar, total pop stays the same
Demography of Nigeria, US, and Germany
Nigeria mostly young people
US and Germany more uniform
Weather
Immediate state of temperature and precipitation
Climate
Typical conditions of weather over time
Solar Intensity and latitude
Earth’s shape, tilt and orbit mean that sunlight does not hit all places evenly
Solar radiation varies seasonally and is more intense at low latitudes on southern hemisphere
Differential heating of land and water
Water heats/cools more slowly than land and tends to moderate climate
Global Pressure Systems and Winds
Intertropical Convergence Zone: rain
Subtropical High: dry conditions
Trade Winds: blow east to west
Westerlies: blow west to east
Topography
affects temperatures and precipitation patterns orographic effect (mountain lift and cool air) rain shadow (air gets dry after passing mountain, means no rain)
Köppen system
Wet/Tropical: Warm temperatures year round, high precipitation
Dry/Arid: Little precipitation
Mild/Temperate: Warm to hot summer temperatures; mild winters
Continental: Warm summers; cold winters
Highland: Varies depending on altitude
Polar/Highland: Very cold winters; no real summer
Distribution of Global Climate Regions
West NA, North Africa, parts of Asia, Australia dry
CA, central Africa, SEA wet
Eruope temperate
Near top pole cold
Climate Change
long-term shifts in temperature and precipitation at a global scale
natural and human causes
Greenhouse Effect
Natural
Traps heat from sun
Keeps Earth warm
Enhanced Greenhouse Effect
Anthropogenic greenhouse gases (C02 from burning of fossil fuels)
Carbon Emissions
China is world’s largest emitter of CO2
US among highest per capita CO2 emissions
Effects of climate change
warming of temperatures
shrinking of glaciers and polar icecaps
sea level rise (as a result of melting land ice)
more frequent and/or intense storms
changing precipitation patterns (droughts, floods)
melting permafrost
shifts in seasons (longer summers, shorter winters)
What do the effects of climate change mean for us?
lives threatened forced migration (climate refugees) decreased crop yields (hunger, famine) species loss/extinction increased prevalence of disease
Climate Change Mitigation Strategies
Cap-and-trade Subsidies Mileage standards Carbon tax renewable energy nuclear power sequestration reforestation population growth
Climate Change Adaptation Strategies
Agriculture Structural Concerns Emergency preparedness Reducing risks Promoting development Controlling diseases Enhancing economic progress
type of map
Azimuthal - the image of the Earth is projected onto a flat surface (plane). Parallels are circular; meridians are straight and intersect at the poles.
Cylindrical
Cylindrical to flat
Parallels and meridians are straight lines that intersect one another at right angles
Conical
Conical to flat
Parallels are curved
meridians are straight and intersect at the poles.
azimuthal
Straight to flat
Parallels are circular
meridians are straight and intersect at the poles.
