unit 1-nature of geo thinking Flashcards
Def Geography
study people, places + environment
explore, describe + explain world we live in
(natural environ. , human activity, why occur in specific locations + how interact one another)
define Geographers
examine earth surface, natural + human processes that shape it, r.ships b.tween people + environment + interactions
- Geographical phenomenon- define
- interesting facts / events can be observes + studied, unusual / difficult to explain
- whats present + where it is
e. g distribution of volcanoes surround pacific ocean
physical geography (natural science) human geography ( social science
studies characteristics- physical environment (climate, soil, vegetation)
studies group people + activities ) lang, industry, buildings
cartography
mapmaking
remote sensing
mapping earth from satellites + aircraft
- 3 types of regions:
formal: uniformity in 1 / more physical / cultural feature ( e.g climate type, lang area)
functional : interactions amongst places (e.g trade / communications)
vernacular: ‘everyday lang’ (popular perception by people within / outside them
*spatial analysis
patterns in distribution of people, environment / processes + interaction b.ween places / regions
*spatial distribution
position, placement / arrangement throughout space
distribution of phenomenon (factors)
- density: frequency / occurrence- phenomenon in relation to area (number per km2)
- concentration : distribution-phenomenon within area (can be concentrated together / dispersed
- pattern: geometric arrangements-objects within area
[trellis pattern: right-angled]
[dendritic pattern: tree like]
- Diffusion- define + name types
item / feature that’s spread across space
- relocation ( people / things move b.ween 2 points)
- contiguous / contagious ( 1 place to next though contact e.g virus)
- system- define
name types of spheres
interdependent group-items that interact regular way to form unified whole
- atmosphere-(AIR) layer gases around earth. movement air causes weather / climate
- hydrosphere- (WATER) lakes, sea, rivers on earths surface
- lithosphere- ( ROCK)- solid earth. stone
- biosphere- (LIFE)- all living organisms on earth
types maps:
conformal maps: distort size but preserve shape
equal area maps: preserve size but distort shape
topographic maps: show elevation, terrain features (roads, buildings, power lines)
GPS:
global positioning system (precise position of something on earth)
map scale
size map compared to actual size on earth
3 ways map scales can be presented:
1) ration / fraction (numbers) 1:10 000 ( 1 unit of map = 10 000 units on ground
2) written scale (words) (1 centimetre equals 10 kilometres)
3) graphic scale (barline) (use rule-distance (cm/mm) on map, hold ruler against bar line. read number of bar line)
Projection + its types
transfer locations on earths surface to flat map
types: cylindrival, conic, azimuthal
- projection distortions
1) shape (appears distorted compared to reality)
2) distance (distance between 2 points= increased / decreased)
3) relative size (1 area appears larger but in reality = smaller)
4) direction (distorted from 1 place to another)
Toponym
name given to place on earth
API
applications processing interface (links database to software)
space time compression
reduction in time for something to reach another place
e.g using boats to aeroplane for transport
spatial interaction
places connect through each other through network
distance decay
interaction b.ween groups + contact diminish as distance increases + eventually disappear
ecosystem
group living organisms + spheres in which they interact
ecology
scientific study of ecosystem
cultural ecology
study human- environment r.ships
how adjust to environment + how modify it
spatial location
describe= place, features, facilities, regions to absolute (numbers CT is 33~54’’17s) / relative locations (words CT is located 2km)
why locations on earth = unique + how interrelated
4 marks
- each place =distinct site + situation features (soil, climate, water etc,)
- many places = NB- accessible to other places
- connections b.ween places result= spatial interaction
- characteristics from 1 place spreads to another (diffusion)
interaction b.ween biosphere + abiotic physical system
4 marks
living organism in biosphere interact with:
- lithosphere (rock / earth): where plants + animals live, get food + shelter
- hydrosphere (water): where drink water+ physical support from aquatic life
- atmosphere (air): provides air- animals + protects against sun
therefore a piece soil has: minerals from lithosphere moisture form hydrosphere pocket air from atmosphere plant +insect matter from biosphere
spatial association
joint covariance - 2 / more phenomenon across space
global spatial distribution
climate, precipitation, temp, soil, biomes & population
spatial variation
how phenomenon VARIES across space
- not all places have same climate / population varies from area to area
- some areas warm (SA) / cold (ENGLAND)
- soil types, weather & habits cause variations in areas
human environment interaction
4marks
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINISM : physical enviro caused by social development
(e.g temp Europe caused better health conditions + lower death rates)
POSSIBILISM: physical environment may limit some human actions but person has ability to adjust to enviro
(e.g people chose crops by because it thrives in their environment)
example continuous spatial distribution
example discrete spatial distribution
climate regions
weather stations / school / dam
CLIMATE varies due to factors:
high / low pressure zone heat exchange from ocean currents mountain distribution pattern-winds altitude
