Slide 1:The American Nation Chapter One


Slide 2: The Five Themes of Geography


Location may be absolute or it may be relative :Location may be absolute or it may be relative Absolute – when describing an exact location Latitude – measures distance north and south from the Equator and longitude. Longitude – measures distance east and west from the Prime Meridian which runs through the city of Greenwich, England. Relative – are described by landmarks, time, direction or distance from one place to another and may associate a particular place with another


PLACEWhat kind of place is it?  What do you think of when you imagine China?  Japan?  Russia?  Saudi Arabia? :PLACEWhat kind of place is it?  What do you think of when you imagine China?  Japan?  Russia?  Saudi Arabia? Places have both human and physical characteristics. Physical characteristics include mountains, rivers, soil, beaches, wildlife, soil. Human characteristics are derived from the ideas and actions of people that result in changes to the environment, such as buildings, roads, clothing, and food habits.


HUMAN/ENVIRONMENTAL INTERACTION :HUMAN/ENVIRONMENTAL INTERACTION Humans adapt to the environment Humans modify the environment Humans depend on the environment How do humans and the environment affect each other?  We change the environment and then sometime Mother Nature changes it back.  For example, floods in the mid-West, Hurricanes in Florida, and earthquakes and mudslides in California.


MOVEMENToccurs because people and resources are scattered unevenly around the globe :MOVEMENToccurs because people and resources are scattered unevenly around the globe The movement of people, the import and export of goods, and mass communication have all played major roles in shaping our world.  People everywhere interact.  They travel from place to place and they communicate, exchange ideas, technology as well as goods.


REGION an area that displays a coherent unity in terms of the government, language, or physical characteristics. :REGION an area that displays a coherent unity in terms of the government, language, or physical characteristics. There are three basic types of regions. Formal regions are those defined by governmental or administrative boundaries (i. e., United States, Birmingham, Brazil).  These regional boundaries are not open to dispute, therefore physical regions fall under this category (i. e., The Rockies, the Great Lakes States). Functional regions are those defined by a function (i. e., TVA, United Airlines Service area or a newspaper service area).  If the function ceases to exists, the region no longer exists. Vernacular regions are those loosely defined by people's perception (i. e., The South, The Middle East).


Map Projections :Map Projections Mercator Map – Gives accurate picture of ocean distances and shapes of landmasses. Drawback – distorts landmass size and distance from Equator. Robinson Map – shows correct sizes and shapes of landmasses for most parts of the world. Used by most geographers today.


HOMEWORK :HOMEWORK Answer questions out of student workbook Chapter 1 Section 1 pages 1-3. Due Tomorrow!