Download Geography Ch1

The Elements of Geography
• Geographers are specialists who
describe Earth’s physical and human
features and the interactions of people,
places, and environments.
(pages 19–20)
The World in Spatial Terms
Spatial relations means “relations in
space”: how places, people, and features
of the earth are connected because of
their locations. 
• Absolute location The exact latitude
and longitude at which a place is found
on the globe is its absolute location. 
• Relative location Relative location
describes a place’s location in relation to
another place.
(pages 20–21)
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Places and Regions
• A place is a particular space on Earth
with physical and human meaning. 
• A region, larger than a place, is a group
of places that are united by shared
characteristics. 
• A formal region, or uniform region, is an
area defined by a common characteristic.
(page 21)
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Physical Systems
• Physical systems–volcanoes, floods, and
hurricanes–shape the earth’s surface.
(pages 21–22)
Human Systems
• People affect the earth by settling it,
forming societies, and migrating. 
• People also move goods and ideas
to new places.
(page 22)
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Environment and Society
• People affect the environment by clearing
or planting forests, building industries
and cities, and hunting animals. 
• Features of the environment such as
mountain ranges and deserts often pose
barriers to human migration.
(page 22)
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The Uses of Geography
• Geographers provide important
information about the planet’s physical
features and processes, living things,
and human systems. Such information
describes the planet and contributes to
planning for future needs.
(page 22)
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Branches of Geography
• Physical geography focuses on the
study of Earth’s physical features. 
• Human geography, or cultural
geography, studies human activities
and their relationship to the
environment.
(pages 23–24)
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Geographers at Work (cont.)
(pages 24–26)
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Geography and Other Disciplines
• History and Government Geographers
study history and government to
understand changes that have taken
place over time. 
• Culture Human geographers study
sociology and anthropology to learn how
people have interacted with their
environment over time.
(pages 26–27)
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Geography and Other Disciplines
(cont.)
• Economics Geographers study
economics to understand how the
location of resources affects the ways
people make, transport, and use goods
and provide services.
(pages 26–27)