Transcript Spencer daun SKyLAIr WEISBROD Linda do Skylar baumann

Geography: Its Nature and
Perspective
SPENCER DAUN
SKYLAIR WEISBROD
LINDA DO
SKYLAR BAUMANN
Geography as a field of inquiry
 Geography is the study of
phenomena patterns and their spatial
distribution
 Human Geography: study of how
people make places, organize space
and society, interactions with others
in places across space, and how we
make sense of ourselves
 Physical Geography: the study of
physical phenomena on Earth
Evolution of key geographical concepts and
models associated with notable geographers
 Christaller commenced the coining city models (Hierarchy of
Settlements and their Service Areas, Sector, Concentric, Multiple
Nuclei) from developing the central place theory.
 Rostow formed the Drive To Maturity concept to set a standard for
determining a state's development phase
 Location theories evolved to explain industrial locations, focusing
on variable costs and the friction of distance, a few of the
geographers include Weber (least cost theory), Hostelling (location
interdependence), and Losch (manufacturers chose locations to
maximize profits).
Key concepts underlying the geographical
perspective:
 Location: how the geographical position of people
and things on Earth's surface affects what happens
and why
 Space: social relations stretched out
 Place: uniqueness of a location
 Scale: representation of a real-world phenomena
at a certain level of reduction or generalization
 Pattern: the design of a spatial distribution
 Regionalization: distinguishing of regions such
that there is little variation within each region
while each region is sharply distinct from the
others
 Globalization: the set of processes that are
increasing interactions, deepening relationships,
and heightening interdependence without regard
to country borders
Key Geographical skills: How to use and think
about maps and spatial data
 Geography is essentially concerned
with the ways in which patterns on
Earth's surface reflect and influence
physical and human processes.
Maps and spatial data are
fundamental to the discipline, and
learning to use and think about them
is critical to geographical literacy.
The goal is achieved when you learn
to use maps and spatial data to pose
and solve problems, and when they
learn to think critically about what is
revealed and what is hidden in
different maps and spatial arrays.
Understand and Interpret Implications of
Associations Among Phenomena in Places
 All places on the surface of the earth
have distinguishing human and
physical characteristics that interrelate
with each other. Place is frequently
used to talk about the physical
landscape, the physical environment,
or the cultural environment, but in fact
all of these elements interact with each
other and give character to a place.
Recognize and Interpret at Different Scales
Relationships Among Patterns and Processes
 In essence, this is a
restatement of how to
analyze and understand
patterns within places.
It is also important for
geographers to
understand major
processes and how they
affect global conditions
and individual places.
Define Regions and Evaluate the Regionalization
Process
 It has been said that making
regions is the highest form of
geographer's art. Indeed,
classifying places is difficult, but
nonetheless we all use the idea of
regions every day. We speak about
places such as the Great Plains,
the Caribbean, Europe, or subSaharan Africa. These all are
regions. In the past, geographers
believed there were natural and
God-given regions, and the task of
geography was to discover those
regions.
How to Characterize and Analyze Changing
Interconnections Among Places
 People make places as they travel, migrate, interact,
and live. Geographers use scales to understand the
interconnections. Using a scale to analyze, you can
make different observations at a different level.
(Local, regional, national, and global.)
Geographic technologies, such as GIS, remote
sensing, and GPS
 Geographers use these technologies
to explore linkages among people
and places. To understand the
environmental change overtime,
geographers monitor the Earth's
surface from a distance by using
remote sensing. Geographic
information systems have increased
accessibility over the past two
decades. GIS is useful for both
human and physical geographic
research. It's used to analyze data,
in the process, creating new insight
into geographic patterns and
relationships.
Sources of Geographical Ideas and Data
 GIS, remote sensing, and GPS is known as the "field." All this
technology helps geographers study and better understand
the people and places around us.
 Census Data is an important resource for understanding places.
It separates geographic areas into blocks, block-groups,
and tracts.
 Satellite Imagery is a type of GIS that can enhance GIS mapping.
Satellite images can improve mapping applications to
achieve multi-layered results.
Works cited:
 AP Central Website
 AP Human Geography Textbook
 http://www.satimagingcorp.com/svc/gismapping.ht
ml
 http://www.satimagingcorp.com/svc/gismapping.ht
ml
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spatial_data_
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Map#Geographic_ma
ps