Transcript Geography of the Americas

Introduction to
World History
Section 1
The Tools of
History
What is Geography?
Geography –
the study of the earth and its
land, water, and plant and
animal life
Vocabulary
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Geography
Continent
Landform
Climate
Vegetation
Question to Ponder:
Why study Geography
in a
World History class?
I. Five Themes of Geography
A. Location
1. Absolute Location
a. Describes the exact position of a
place on earth.
b. Uses latitude and longitude
c. Example:
2. Relative Location
a. Tells where a place is in relation
to other places.
b. Example:
B. Place
1. Describes a location’s features
2. Features
a. Physical Features
i. Occur naturally
ii. Plants and animal life, soil
conditions, and climate
iii. Examples:
b. Cultural Features
i. Created by human beings who live
there
ii. Examples:
C. Human/Environment Interaction
1. Humans have changed the
natural features of the earth to
suit their needs.
2. Examples:
D. Movement
1. Includes movement of people,
goods, and ideas.
2. Immigration – people who enter a
country to settle.
3. Examples:
E. Region
1. Areas that have something in
common
2. Looks at:
a. Physical Characteristics – location,
size, landforms, climate, soil, and
natural vegetation.
b. Cultural Characteristics – language,
religion, government, or history
c. Examples:
II.
Climate and Weather Patterns
Climate – the usual weather pattern of an
area over a long period of time.
Weather – condition of the earth’s
atmosphere over a short period of time.
What affects climate?
A.
B.
C.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Temperature
Precipitation
Latitude
Elevation
Currents
Question to Ponder:
How does climate
affect people’s lives?