2. Geography and Culture

Today’s Objective

• Interpret the influence geography has on a culture.

Geography can impact nearly every aspect of culture:

1. Beliefs1. Many religious beliefs stem from

early issues w/ environment, etc1.Rain dances (native americans)2.Yin and yang (taoism)3.Water as cleansing and holy

(christianity)

2. Values1. Water (in droughts)2. Sun (cold areas)

3. Rules of Conduct1. Americans shower every day2. Indians shower 2-3x per week3. Middle ages bathing was a few x

per year

4. Material Objects1. Americans: steel buildings2. Aborigines: straw huts3. Ancient Egyptians: pyramids

5. Language1. Inuit's- 20+ words for snow2. US-several words for bodies of

water

How would the geography effect you?

<Play how geography defines a culture video>

Activity

• Turn in video worksheets