Ms. Costa

By PresenterMedia.com

What is geography?

Objective: To define and analyze geography at the local, regional and global level. Also, to comprehend how geographers see the world and the tools they use to accomplish their task.

The study of the world, its people and the landscapes they create. Landscape: is all the human and physical features that make a place unique.

Geography is…

Geographers…As Scientists:

Observe physical features and try to make connections They want to know why mountains formedWhat creates tornadoes? look at data, measure things and make conclusionsLook at and interpret satellite images

As Social Scientists:

Work With people and their lives, environment and relationships. Social science studies people and the relationships among them

As a major city, London is also a

region- at this level a geographer might

study the city’s population or transportation

systems

Global Level London is one of the world’s

main financial centers. Here a

geographer might study how London’s economy affects the

world.

Geography at 3 Levels:

A busy neighborhood in London would be

a local area. Geographers might

study foods, housing, or clothing.

Geographers want to figure out why people live and work they way they do Want to help people improve their lives

They could help town officials figure out where to build a school or shopping center

They help people in a city or town plan for future changes

Defining Geography at the Local Level

Geography at the Regional Level:

A region is a part of the world that had one or more common features that distinguish it from surrounding areasRegions defined by

physical characteristics like mountain ranges, climates, or plants native to that area. (The Rocky Mountains', The Sahara)

Other regions defined by human characteristics – religion, language, or history *** Regions vary in size can be small as a section of NYC to as large as “The Americas”

Geography at the Global Level:

Some geographers want to study beyond regional level – want to learn how people interact globally in the worldFind relationships among people who live far apart DO this by examining how a country’s exports are used in another country – global interdependence

A Map is a flat drawing that shows all or part of the Earth’s surface

A Globe is a spherical shaped model of the entire planet.

A Geographer’s Tools:

Maps: Globes: Satellite Images:

Geographers use Satellite Images to see what an area looks like from above Earth- this helps them create accurate maps.

What is Geography? Review:

1. A social scientist studies the human and physical features that make a place unique.True False  2. Geography is the study of the world, its people, and the landscapes they create.True False  3. Some geographers want to know how the world works, while others want to study people and the relationships among people.TrueFalse  

4. Geographers study issues on three levels: the local level, the state level, and the country level.True False   5. A region is a part of the world that has one or more common features that distinguish it from surrounding areas.TrueFalse   6. Maps, globes, and satellite images help geographers study the planet.True False