Geography 12 Mr. Rae

Unit 1: The Nature of GeographyAnd Global Citizenship

What is Geography?•Geography is the study of the Physical, natural and human elementsOf the global environment

•The fundamental question to ask in Geography is:

•Why are things located where they are?

The study of Geography is concerned with:

•Interrelationships and interdependencies among human and naturalelements

•Similarities and differences among things, places and processes

•The spatial distribution of particular phenomena

•The temporal distribution of particular phenomena

The Five Themes of Geography1. Location – Location of a place can be described as :•Relative Location – What it is close to (in north America on the PacificCoast, near Vancouver)Or …Absolute Location – Grid reference of Latitude and Longitude.

2. Nature of Place•The physical, natural and human characteristics that make a placeunique

3. Relationships between Places•The nature of interactions between physical, natural and human environments and the consequences of those interactions for peopleand places

4. Regions•Areas that have similar characteristics, basic units of geographic study

5. Movement•The interactions, interrelationships and interdependencies of peopleand places around the world – Movement can involve ideas, information,communications as well as physical movement of people and goods

Nature of Environment•Environment means surroundings; from the French word “environs”meaning “around”

•The global environment is an all inclusive, interacting and interdependent system•It has structure and organization, and all of its components are connected•A change in one part of the system has the potential for causing change somewhere else in the system•No event takes place in complete isolation•Humans have a very powerful impact on the environment

•The global environment has four components: The Lithosphere, the Hydrosphere, the Atmosphere and the Biosphere

The Lithosphere•Is made up of all the soils and rocks of the Earths crust and uppermost mantle

The Hydrosphere•The Hydrosphere includes all the water in the world, in every form – Liquid, solid and gaseous

•The Hydrosphere is unique to planetEarth

The Atmosphere•The Atmosphere is a region of gases that extends above the Earth protecting us from the Sun’s radiation and incoming objects. It also functions as an insulating “blanket” to keep Earths temperatures consistent

The Biosphere• The Biosphere extends from the sea floor up to about 8 km into the atmosphere•It includes the interaction of all the other spheres and all biotic and abiotic factors

Key Concepts of Ecosystems•An ecosystem is a biological community, or system, formed by the interaction of living things in a particular environment with one another and their non-living habitat

•An ecosystem is made up of abiotic (non-living) and biotic (living)components•Abiotic components include:

•An energy source•The climatic conditions at the physical location

•The chemicals in the soil air and water that are essential nutrientsfor life

•Biotic components include:

•Producers-green plants and bacteria that produce organic food substances

•Consumers-herbivores and carnivores

•Decomposers-bacteria and fungi thatbreak down dead plant and animal tissue

Global Citizenship•Human culture has developed over time. The four stages of humanculture help to describe these developments

Stage 1 – Hunting and GatheringPopulation:•People living together in small scattered groupsDistinguishing features:•Small groups subsist by hunting birdsand animals, by fishing and bygathering seeds, fruits and plant roots. •They move from place to place following their food supply•Live in caves/tents and use hides and bark as clothing•Very few tools and used fire for cooking

Stage 2 – Agrarian (8000bc to present)Population:•Concentrated along river valleys and broad plains were the soil is rich and fertileDistinguishing features:•Cultivation of native plants, later cross-breeding plants to develophardier,more productive seeds•Domestication of animals such as dogs,sheep, goats and horses•Clearing land for crops, terracing fields and diverting rivers for irrigation•Some early forms of mining•There was a development of law,writing and government during this stage

Technology:•Technology that contributed to the development of agrarian societiesinclude the wheel, the plough, the loom, firearms and navigationaldevicesNatural Resources:•Major natural resources are readilyavailable and accessible•There is fertile soil for crops, making pottery and building materials•There is wood for fires, tools ships, wagons and shelters•There is ample water for irrigationEnergy:•Energy is mainly from renewable resources such as water, wind and human and animal power

•Stage 3- Industrial (began in the 18th century)Population:•During this stage the population increases at a faster rate than before•There is rapid growth of cities and urban populationDistinguishing features:•Widespread use of machinery to do work formerly done by humansand animals•Controlled use of fire (combustion) in manufacturing and transport•There is mass production of goods, a worldwide transportation network, political and economic contacts and conflict and war ona global scale. Based on water, coal, then oil. Electricity used from

Technology:

•Major technological advances in this stage includethe steam engine, cars, planes, electricity, TV,phones, synthetic fibers, fertilizers, pesticides,steel, concrete, plastics and medicinal drugs

Natural Resources:•Exploitation of major natural resources involves machinery and expenditure of energy (fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas)•Also exploited are timber, minerals, metals and chemicals•Agricultural lands need fertilizers and drinking water has to be treated before useEnergy:•Major energy sources are non-renewable fossil fuels

Stage 4 Post Industrial (began in the last quarter of the 20th century)Population:•Global population increasing at an exponential rate. Nearly all habitable or arable land is occupied or used•Growth of mega cities

Distinguishing features:•Instant communications possible all over the globe

•Almost universal awareness of dominant cultural features

•Worldwide economic and political system

•Declining number of people employed in agriculture and industry

•Increasing cost of maintaining agricultural productivity

•Growing awareness of threats to the global system

Technology:•Major inventions include more refined computers, satellites, remotesensing systems and robots

Energy:•Heavy reliance on non-renewable fossil fuels•Some interest in developing alternative fuel sources

Third Industrial Revolution•Many scientists and futurists see the future as relying on renewable• sources of energy like solar, wind, geothermal, tidal and these being• shared through a smart power grid similar to the way information• today is shared through the internet.

•The terminology of third industrial revolution refers to the 1st •Industrial revolution as based on coal and the 2nd based on oil.