Q1 Notes

Geography

Definition: The study of the world; its people and the landscapes they create.

Landscapes: A place’s landscape is all the human and physical features that make it unique.

Examples to define:

• River
• Lake
• Canyon
• Valley
• Ocean
• Sea
• Archipelago
• Island
• Gulf
• Bay
• Peninsula
• Coast
• Plain
• Forest
• Hill
• Mountain
• Volcano
• Plateau
• Isthmus
• Straight
• Oasis
• Desert
• Delta
• Glacier

The 5 themes of Geography

I. Location (Position on the earth’s surface-2 examples)

A. Absolute (the exact location)

1. Address

2. Longitude and latitude

The steps to finding latitude and longitude

Latitude (Always goes first)

Longitude (Always last)

Finding a coordinate marked on the map:

Latitude

• Put your finger on the coordinate and run your finger across the line until you get to the number. (that is the first part of your answer)
• Find the equator ( 0 degrees latitude)
• Is your coordinate above (north) or below (south) the equator
• Put the N or S next to your number (you are halfway there)

Longitude

• Put your finger back on the coordinate and run your finger up or down the line until you get to the number. (that is the first part of your answer)
• Find the prime meridian ( 0 degrees longitude)
• Is your coordinate to the right (east) or to the left (west) of the prime meridian
• Put the E or W next to your number (you did it)

Looking to place a coordinate on the map

• The first line you are looking for is latitude, so it will run across the map
• If the first coordinate is North, the number will be above the equator; if it is south the number will be below the equator.
• For the second coordinate west is to the left of the prime meridian, and east is to the right of the prime meridian.
• Place your coordinate where the two lines intersect

B. Relative (relationship of a place to other places)

1. North of…..

2. 1 block from….

3. Near the …..

II. Place (described by physical and human characteristics that make it unique)

A. Physical (includes landforms, climate, and animal life)

1. Desert

2. Redwoods

3. Sierra Nevada Mountains

4. The Serengeti

B. human (includes bridges, houses, and parks)

1. Disneyland

2. The Biltmore Castle

3. The Golden Gate Bridge

III. Human/Environment interaction (3 different examples)

A. Humans relying on the environment

1. Fields to grow

2. Water to drink

B. Humans modifying environment for needs

1. Dams

2. Tunnel

C. Nature affecting human life

1. Tornadoes

2. hurricanes

3. forest fires

4. earthquakes

5. snow storms

6. Floods

IV. Movement (from one area to another)

A. People

1. jobs

2. travel

3. living in a better environment

B. materials

1. where are things made

2. how does that affect jobs here

C. Forced movement

1. Slavery

2. War/political persecution

D. ideas (big part of history)

1. word of mouth

2. writing (letters and books)

3. telephone

4. computer

V. Region (large area that shares similar features)

A. Physical

1. Corn belt (area suitable for growing corn)

b. Human

1. Bible belt (shared culture)

2. Political regions (election)

Pre-History

Nomads

Hunter/gatherers with no permanent home

Social Structures

• Nomadic Clans
  • Moved from place to place
  • Valued the best providers
  • Each clan member contributed to the clan

Political Systems

Monarchy (Rule by a single person)

• Nomadic leader
  • Strongest
  • Smartest
  • Responsible for the entire clan
• Established rules
  • Protected clan
  • Punishment for wrongdoers

Economic Systems

• Subsistence
  • Supporting life
    • Hunting
    • Gathering
  • Each member contributed
  • Nothing went to waste

Religion

• Polytheism (belief in many gods)
  • Belief in a controlling power
  • Explained the unexplainable
    • Shaman
    • Stories
    • Explanations
  • Creation stories