TWO BRANCHES OF GEOGRAPHY

o        physical / environmental geography - the natural features of the earth

o        human / cultural geography - human culture and its impact on the earth

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

the scientific method

Observe phenomena that stimulates a question or problem

Offer an educated guess (hypothesis) about the answer

Design an experiment to test the hypothesis

Predict the outcome of the experiment

Conduct the experiment and observe the outcome

Draw conclusions and formulate rules based on the experiment

Earth is a closed system / sphere that we divide into 4 sub-spheres.

atmosphere

composition

climate vs weather

energy, heat & temperature

pressure & wind

moisture

storms & disturbances

climatic zones

hydrosphere

water properties

water distribution

water cycle – oceans, evaporation, sublimation, evapotranspiration, atmosphere, condensation, precipitation, ice & snow, snowmelt, runoff, stream flow, surface water, infiltration, ground water, discharge, springs

biosphere

ecosystems

actors that influence ecosystems

biogeochemical cycles

lithosphere

soil

earth’s structure

plate tectonics

landforms

geological hazards

HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

Two ways to study

by region

Areas of the earth’s surface marked by certain properties

Devices that enable us to make spatial generalizations

Based on criteria we establish

Criteria can be human or physical properties or both

All regions have Area, Boundaries, Location

by concept / theme

Physical (environmental) geography - more problem oriented

atmosphere – atmospheric hazards, global warming

hydrosphere – distribution, use, flooding, oceans

biosphere – deforestation, desertification, food resources

lithosphere – geological hazards

Cultural (coherence and diversity) geography

learned, shared behavior … way of life

cultural diffusion

cultural conflict

    language

    ethnic culture

    religion

Demography (population and settlement)

population size & distribution

population growth & change

demographic transition model

migration patterns

settlement patterns

urbanization

Political (geopolitical) geography

nation-states

boundaries

colonialism

fragmentation & unity

international & supranational organizations

Economic (development) geography

more / less developed

core-periphery model

indicators or economic development

indicators of social development

sustainable development

MAP YOUR OWN DATA LINKS (links for F2F sections only)

My Maps

Google Account

Google My Maps User's Guide

Damaged Road Signs

Who's to Blame for Bush?

Road Kill Around Delaware OH

Bob Marley's 1980 Uprising Tour

Leisure Activities of My High School Years

Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Map of California

Haunted Places in Ohio

OWU Professors

The Police Reunion Tour 2007-2008

Plane Crashes from the Past 30 Years in the US

Where is the Internet?