introduction to geography - faculty site listing.pptVIP

Introduction to GeographyPeople, Places, and Environment, 4eEdward F. BergmanWilliam H. Renwick Chapter 1: Introduction to Geography Victoria O. Alapo, Instructor Geog 1010 What Is Geography? Geography is from two Greek words, Geo – Earth, and Graphien – to write. It is simply the study of the earth, and everything that goes on, on it. Geography is the one of the oldest and most diverse fields of study. Geography Today Association of American Geographers 55 topical specialties (page 5) Geography asks these questions: Where?, What?, When?, Why?, and Why there? Spatial analysis – has to do with the distribution of a phenomenon in “space” (this doesn’t refer to outer space). Very Geographical concept. Geography Physical – this makes it a natural science. These are the physical xteristics of the envir. Human Cultural – these make it a social science. Human groups and our activities. Cartography – All kinds of mapping. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) – using computers to help make and display maps and analyze data. A sub-branch of Cartography. All these fields are interrelated (see table on page 5). That is Assignment #2. Geography is very useful. History of Geography Classical Western World Eratosthenes (276-194 B.C.). This is actually Egypt (Africa), he worked in the library of Alexandria. See pg 3. He believed the world was round. Hipparchus (180-127 B.C.) – 1st to draw grid lines. History of Geography Non-European World Isaiah (40:22) believed the world was round too! – 700 B.C.! Al-Edrisi (1099-1154) Ibn-Battuta (1304-1378) Ibn-Khaldun (1332-1406) The Tribute of Yu Kangnido, see map on pg 4 (read) Africans traveled a LOT – e.g. Timbuktu (pg 9), Queen of Sheba, Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8), East Africa, etc. “The information that any citizen needs in order to make an informed decision on an important question of the day is largely geographic.” Regions A region is an area that shows similar characteristics. Does not have abrupt boundaries.