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GEOG 247Cultural Geography

Course Introduction IVPhysical Aspects of Culture

Prof. Anthony GrandeHunter College-CUNY

©AFG 2015

Influences on Human Culture: Physical Geography and Cultural Development

Environmental Determinism

Possiblism

Many aspects of the physical (natural) environment influence the development of cultural traits.

– Astronomical Influences• Celestial dome; Earth-Sun relationships including the seasons

– Atmospheric Influences• Weather, climate and associated processes

– Geologic Influences• Surface landforms, soils, mineral deposits and associated

building and reduction processes

– Water Resources• Surface and underground supplies and associated processes

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ASSIGNMENT DUE

First required exercise is due Thursday, February 19, 2015.

Focus is on cultural ecology and the theme “Human Adaption”.

You are comparing two areas with unique physical characteristics with regard to human interaction.

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Observing and Reacting to Natural Events

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People and Natural Events

• Volcanic eruptions

• Lightning

• Thunder

• Droughts

• Earthquakes

• Tsunamis

• Whirlpools

• Sinkholes

• Disease

• Assume a force more powerful than us (the gods) must be angry.

• Feel the need to appease the gods for human frailties and wrong-doings.

• Do things (make sacrifices) to please the gods either after the fact or on-going to prevent new occurrences.

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Astronomical Observations

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Chinese star chart from 940 AD

Astronomy is the oldest of the physical sciences. Came from people’s curiosity about day and night, the sun, the moon, and the stars.

The ancients saw over 1000 stars at night which moved in permanent groups (constel-lations) and seemed to rotate around a fixed point in the sky (today’s north celestial pole.)

Ancient astronomers conducted surveys of the positions and motions of stars and planets. They recorded their data and the data was used to build structures that were aligned with specific astronomical events.

The first known star catalog, containing 800 stars, was created in China in about 350 B.C. by Shih Shen.

OBSERVATION and RECORDING of natural phenomena is a CULTURAL EXERCISE.

Modern simplified sky chart

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AZTEC CALENDAR

The Aztecs developed a detailed stone solar calendar to let them know when to plant and harvest crops, as well as pray to the gods.

All rituals and sacrifices were governed by this calendar.

The 365-day calendar, divided into 18 months of 20 days. Each month is divided into four five-day weeks.(The five leftover days were considered unlucky days!)

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Replica of an Aztec calendar on exhibit at Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum, Chicago.

Hindu System of Astrology

The 27 “Nakshatras” in the Hindu astrologic system (outer

ring) are constellations each of which represents 13.3º of the zodiac disc. The inner circle represents the 12 solar months.

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Astronomical Lore

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MODERN EXPLANATION The Earth revolves around the Sun. Revolution + Inclination +Parallelism = SEASONS

All cultures have attempt-ed to explain astronomical events, as the movement of the sun and the moon, solar and lunar eclipses, grouping of stars, align-ments and annual events.

Myths and legends came about to explain phenom-ena that were observed but could not be rational-ized at the time.

ORION Constellation

10The Archer (Arabia)

Atmospheric Influences

WEATHER: The state of the atmosphere at any one point in time.Weather influences people’s daily lives.

People can influence local weather by altering the natural landscape, esp. with regard to temperature and moisture.

CLIMATE: The average of all weather events at a particular location over a long period of time (50+ yrs).

Climate influences people’s response to regional conditions; responses becomes part of their identity.

Climates develop and change naturally but can be altered by the works of people.

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CLIMATE

Factors of both Earth-Sun and Earth Environment influence climate development .

- latitude - solar energy

- moisture - wind direction

- topography - ocean conditions

Climates influence life and culture on earth.

- soil development, vegetation, biomes

- physical adaptations of animals

- culture traits of people (clothing, architecture, cuisine)

- development of technology (to deal with climate)

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Incorporating Climate into Cultural Studies

• Climate maps show the geographic distribution of averaged data.

• Climographs give us a snapshot of individual locations.

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WORLD CLIMATE MAP

14Each colored climate region has a unique combination of temperature, precipitation and hours of sunlight.

Climate Classification System

MODERN

• Four temperature-based groups:

– A group: tropical (winterless)

– C group: subtropical (mild winter)

– D group: continental (severe winter)

– E group: polar (summerless; extremely cold)

• One moisture deficiency-based group:

– B group: arid and semi-arid (evapotranspiration exceeds precipitation)

• One elevation-related group: H group: highlands (vertical zonation of climate along steep slopes)

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ANCIENT GREEK

Comparison of World Climate, Soils and Vegetation

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VERY SIMILAR TO EACH OTHER but not exact!

CLIMATES

SOILS

VEGETATION

CLIMOGRAPHS

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Each CLIMATE REGION has distinct patterns of TEMPERATURE and PRECIPITATION

When temperature and precipitation patterns are combined we get a “snapshot” of a location’s climate.http://www.jsu.edu/dept/geography/mhill/webdes/bottom.html

Traditional Architecture

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Hot and wet Hot and dry

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Traditional Architecture

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Predominant cold wind direction

Cold and wet designs

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Geologic Influences

TECTONIC (building)

1. Folding

2. Faulting

3. Volcanism

GRADATIONAL (reducing)

1. Mechanical and chemical weathering (in place)

2. Mass wasting (by gravity)

3. Agents of Erosion(erode → transport → deposit

take → move → place )

Running water

Moving ice

Wind

Wave action

Longshore currents20

NATURAL PROCESSES1. Mass movements (gravity)

2. Earthquakes (tension release)

3. Volcanism (heat, pressure)

4. Subsidence (sinking)

All the processes affect people.Attempts are made to explain them and then deal with them.

Folk Lore Explained

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Intoxicating fumes escaping from fault lines put the Oracle into a trance who then seemed to speak with the voice of the gods.

Landforms and Land Use

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Each topographic region has unique features. Each has advantages and disadvantages to human land use. They have influenced people’s decision-making and helped to create, with the addition of climate, cultural landscapes.

Landforms and Land Use

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Why do people need to study (measure, monitor, map

and analyze) topographic regions?

Selective land use

Avoidance of harmful natural processes

Planning future activities

Insurance coverage

WHY?

Because of the possible effect on people.

Landforms and Land Use

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When doing a landscape analysis, we look at the following physical factors:

1. Elevation (height above sea level)

2. Relief (vertical difference in elevation)

3. Slope angle (horizontal difference in elevation)

4. Valley shape (work of running water and gravity; V-shape or U-shape)

5. Climate conditions (climate and vegetation zones change with elevation)

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_________________________

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1. Elevation (height above sea level)

2. Relief (vertical difference in elevation)

3. Slope angle (horizontal difference in elevation)

4. Valley shape (work of running water and gravity; V-shape or U-shape)

5. Climate conditions (climate and vegetation zones change with elevation; vertical zonation)

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LANDFORMS

angle

Landforms and Land Use

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When doing a landscape analysis, we look at the following human factors:

1. Unifier or barrier (people interacting with each other)

2. Assimilation or distinction (culture development)

3. Transportation and communication (ease/cost)

4. Population density (concentrations of people; development of cultural traits)

5. Economic utilization (perception and interaction with nature; farming, grazing, industry, mining, recreation, etc.; division of land)

6. Hazards (awareness; natural and man-made)

Valley in Swiss Alps

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Plains of Kansas

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Ganges River Delta

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Rocky Shoreline

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Plateau of Ethiopia

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BIOMES

Zones of LifeBiomes (ecoregions) are unique combina-tions of climate, water, flora, fauna and soils.

They are composed of many ecosystems.

People become part of these ecosystems, interacting with the parts.

They take; they change; they have made and continue to make an impact.

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COLDDRY

HOTWET

HOTDRY

VERY COLD + DRY

MODERATE TEMP + PRECIP

HOT + DRY

HOT +

WET

HOT with WET & DRY SEASONS

BIOMESTropical Savanna

The tropical savanna of Africa is believed to be the world’s oldest human-used biome.

Year-round warmth, flat land, ample food supplies (from hunting and gathering) and available fresh water.

People followed the animals during the seasonal cycles.

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Tropical-Wet Biomes

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Layers of a tropical rainforest Forest floor of a tropical jungle

Deciduous Forest Biome

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Tundra Biome

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Distribution of the Earth’s Water

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Water is an integral part of all the earth’s biomes. Freshwater is most important.

ALL WATER JUST FRESHWATER JUST EASILY

USEABLE FRESHWATER

Water Resources on Land

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Other than air people need water for survival before food.

A dependable source of fresh clean water makes a population grow and thrive.

Technology has allowed to store water behind dams, pump water out of the ground and transport it long distances.

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Using Water

Human Imprint: Field Patterns

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Desert Agriculture traditional and modern

What’s the premise for the circular shape?

Share your findings from Assignment 1

Unique physical areas:

1. High altitude plateau or mountain basin

2. Hot summer desert area

3. Middle latitude plains or steppes

4. River delta or area of coastal barrier islands

5. Steep-sloped (rugged) landform area

6. Sub-polar region

7. Tropical rainforest region

ASSESSMENT/spatial analysis:

• location on earth

• traditional/historic ethnic geog. of the area

• cultural identification including language and religion

• traditional housing, dress, food

• governing status

• aspects of acculturation and assimilation over time

• accessibility to the outside world and movement within the area

• economic base/livelihood

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NEXT

POPULATION

chapter 3

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