Physical Geography Lecture 01 - What Is Geography 092616
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The document is an introduction to physical geography, explaining its definition, history, and importance in understanding spatial relationships. It covers key concepts such as location, place, movement, human-environment interactions, and region, emphasizing geography's holistic nature and its connections to other scientific disciplines. Additionally, it discusses the subdivisions of geography, including physical, human, and technical geography, along with relevant systems concepts.
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Systems ScienceSystems Science
What is a “system”?What is a “system”?
AA systemsystem is “a set of things, structures,is “a set of things, structures,
processes, [or] activities…[that are] associatedprocesses, [or] activities…[that are] associated
and interconnected, forming and functioning as aand interconnected, forming and functioning as a
complex whole through a regular set ofcomplex whole through a regular set of
relations….”relations….”
--Audrey N. Clark’s--Audrey N. Clark’s Dictionary of GeographyDictionary of Geography](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/pglecture01-whatisgeography092616-161002231746/85/Physical-Geography-Lecture-01-What-Is-Geography-092616-37-320.jpg)
Physical Geography Lecture 01 - What Is Geography 092616
- 1. 11 Welcome toWelcome to Physical GeographyPhysical Geography Angela Orr, InstructorAngela Orr, Instructor Topic: What is Geography?Topic: What is Geography?
- 2. What is Geography?What is Geography?
- 3. What is Geography?What is Geography?
- 4. What is Geography?What is Geography?
- 5. What is Geography?What is Geography?
- 6. What is Geography?What is Geography?
- 7. Geography is aboutGeography is about EVERYTHING.EVERYTHING.
- 8. The most importantThe most important question inquestion in GeographyGeography
- 9. Why is it there?
- 10. Where did “Geography” come from?Where did “Geography” come from? Geo-Geo- comes from the Greekcomes from the Greek “ge” = “Earth”“ge” = “Earth” geoidgeoid geologygeology geometrygeometry -graphy comes from Greek “graphe” = “writing” or “description”
- 11. Who were the first geographers?Who were the first geographers? Mesopotamian landMesopotamian land ownership map on aownership map on a clay tabletclay tablet
- 12. Egyptian gold mine map on papyrusEgyptian gold mine map on papyrus
- 13. ► Expansion of the Chinese empireExpansion of the Chinese empire resources, cultures, wealth, areas of potential politicalresources, cultures, wealth, areas of potential political threats or alliances, etc.threats or alliances, etc. ► In Asia, academic knowledge was highly-prizedIn Asia, academic knowledge was highly-prized ► Japan, Korea, and ChinaJapan, Korea, and China engaging in extensive trade long before Europeanengaging in extensive trade long before European explorersexplorers A Brief History of the EarlyA Brief History of the Early Development of GeographyDevelopment of Geography
- 14. ► Greece and RomeGreece and Rome Development of geometric principlesDevelopment of geometric principles Eratosthenes, Hipparchus, Strabo andEratosthenes, Hipparchus, Strabo and PtolemyPtolemy ► The 8 Pillars of IslamThe 8 Pillars of Islam Pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca (in whatPilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca (in what is, today, Saudi Arabia) at least once in ais, today, Saudi Arabia) at least once in a lifetimelifetime From Africa to Spain to India and throughoutFrom Africa to Spain to India and throughout Southwest AsiaSouthwest Asia A Brief History of the EarlyA Brief History of the Early Development of GeographyDevelopment of Geography
- 15. Immanuel Kant—18th Century philosopherImmanuel Kant—18th Century philosopher
- 16. Immanuel Kant—18th Century philosopherImmanuel Kant—18th Century philosopher Categories of Academic Disciplines:Categories of Academic Disciplines: 1. Systematic Sciences—orderly, methodical, subject1. Systematic Sciences—orderly, methodical, subject matter is easily classifiedmatter is easily classified (Physics, Geology, Botany, Zoology, etc.)(Physics, Geology, Botany, Zoology, etc.) 2. Temporal Sciences—the dimension of time2. Temporal Sciences—the dimension of time (History, Archaeology, Paleontology)(History, Archaeology, Paleontology) 3. Spatial Sciences—the dimension of space3. Spatial Sciences—the dimension of space (Geography, Geophysics, Astronomy)(Geography, Geophysics, Astronomy) The map is a geographer’s primary spatial toolThe map is a geographer’s primary spatial tool
- 17. The FundamentalsThe Fundamentals Every study of Geography incorporates one orEvery study of Geography incorporates one or more of the following 5 Fundamentalmore of the following 5 Fundamental Concepts in Geography:Concepts in Geography: 1.1.LocationLocation 2.2.PlacePlace 3.3.MovementMovement 4.4.Human-Environment InteractionsHuman-Environment Interactions 5.5.RegionRegion
- 18. The 5 Fundamental SpatialThe 5 Fundamental Spatial Concepts of GeographyConcepts of Geography 1.1. Location—Location—study ofstudy of wherewhere something is foundsomething is found in Earth spacein Earth space
- 19. 2.2. PlacePlace—study of the—study of the site and situationsite and situation characteristics of a particular portion of spacecharacteristics of a particular portion of space The 5 Fundamental SpatialThe 5 Fundamental Spatial Concepts of GeographyConcepts of Geography
- 20. The 5 Fundamental SpatialThe 5 Fundamental Spatial Concepts of GeographyConcepts of Geography 2.2. PlacePlace—study of the—study of the site and situationsite and situation characteristics of a particular portion of spacecharacteristics of a particular portion of space ““Sense of Place” is an important geographicalSense of Place” is an important geographical conceptconcept
- 25. sense of place an artist’s interpretation
- 26. Sense of Place some “imaginary” places GLADIATOR JIMMY BUFFETT THE PERFECT VACATION “MARGARITAVILLE” ?
- 27. The 5 Fundamental SpatialThe 5 Fundamental Spatial Concepts of GeographyConcepts of Geography 3.3. MovementMovement—study of—study of thethe circulationcirculation ofof objects, people, andobjects, people, and ideas, and theirideas, and their distributiondistribution (spatial(spatial patterning) on Earth’spatterning) on Earth’s surfacesurface
- 28. 28 The 5 Fundamental SpatialThe 5 Fundamental Spatial Concepts of GeographyConcepts of Geography 4.4. Human-EarthHuman-Earth InteractionsInteractions—study—study of how humansof how humans perceive, use, andperceive, use, and alter the planet, andalter the planet, and how the environmenthow the environment affects and changesaffects and changes humans, in returnhumans, in return
- 29. 5.5. Region—Region— study of an area on Earth’s surface that exhibitsstudy of an area on Earth’s surface that exhibits some form of spatial cohesion reflected by asome form of spatial cohesion reflected by a homogeneityhomogeneity of specific features or functionalof specific features or functional linkages to a central nodelinkages to a central node (WHAAAA???)(WHAAAA???) The 5 Fundamental SpatialThe 5 Fundamental Spatial Concepts of GeographyConcepts of Geography
- 30. Homogeneity of specific features Functional linkages to a central node
- 31. Geography is holisticGeography is holistic ► Interested inInterested in interrelationshipsinterrelationships ► Informed by manyInformed by many other sciencesother sciences Geography is actuallyGeography is actually the Mother of manythe Mother of many other fields of scienceother fields of science ► Test your professor:Test your professor: Name a field whichName a field which cannot in some way becannot in some way be studied by a geographerstudied by a geographer
- 32. The Subdivisions of GeographyThe Subdivisions of Geography Geography can be divided into any number ofGeography can be divided into any number of subfields. The main divisions are:subfields. The main divisions are: Physical GeographyPhysical Geography ►Biogeography is sometimes considered a part ofBiogeography is sometimes considered a part of physical geographyphysical geography Human GeographyHuman Geography Geomatics (Technical Geography)Geomatics (Technical Geography)
- 33. Physical GeographyPhysical Geography Physical geographyPhysical geography is the study of Earth’sis the study of Earth’s natural systems, their spatial distributions, andnatural systems, their spatial distributions, and interactions. It is the study of the natural andinteractions. It is the study of the natural and human-induced processes that shape thehuman-induced processes that shape the surface of our planet.surface of our planet. Subfields include geomorphology, climatology,Subfields include geomorphology, climatology, hydrogeography, etc.hydrogeography, etc. Maintains connections with other physicalMaintains connections with other physical sciencessciences
- 34. BiogeographyBiogeography ►The study of the spatial distribution of plantsThe study of the spatial distribution of plants and animals.and animals. Subfields include phytogeography,Subfields include phytogeography, zoogeography, pedology (cross-over withzoogeography, pedology (cross-over with physical geography), etc.physical geography), etc. Often considered a subfield of PhysicalOften considered a subfield of Physical GeographyGeography
- 35. ►The study of how people use the land, howThe study of how people use the land, how they perceive it and relate to it; the spatialthey perceive it and relate to it; the spatial variations between human groupsvariations between human groups Subfields include: cultural geography, economicSubfields include: cultural geography, economic geography, urban geography, political geography,geography, urban geography, political geography, ethnic geography, geodemography, religiousethnic geography, geodemography, religious geography, geolinguistics, proxemics, etc.geography, geolinguistics, proxemics, etc. Maintains connections with all other socialMaintains connections with all other social sciencessciences Human GeographyHuman Geography
- 36. Geomatics/Technical GeographyGeomatics/Technical Geography ►All of the technical specialties within the fieldAll of the technical specialties within the field which assist geographic studies.which assist geographic studies. Cartography (GIS)Cartography (GIS) Remote sensingRemote sensing Statistical studiesStatistical studies Maintains connections with informationMaintains connections with information technologies, mathematics, computer sciences,technologies, mathematics, computer sciences, etc.etc.
- 37. 38 Systems ScienceSystems Science What is a “system”?What is a “system”? AA systemsystem is “a set of things, structures,is “a set of things, structures, processes, [or] activities…[that are] associatedprocesses, [or] activities…[that are] associated and interconnected, forming and functioning as aand interconnected, forming and functioning as a complex whole through a regular set ofcomplex whole through a regular set of relations….”relations….” --Audrey N. Clark’s--Audrey N. Clark’s Dictionary of GeographyDictionary of Geography
- 39. 40 Systems ScienceSystems Science ► Flow system—matter and/or energy moving aroundFlow system—matter and/or energy moving around Open system—has inputs and outputsOpen system—has inputs and outputs Closed system (also called aClosed system (also called a cyclecycle)—constantly transforming and)—constantly transforming and reusing what’s already there; nothing ever leavesreusing what’s already there; nothing ever leaves
- 40. 41 Systems ScienceSystems Science ►FeedbackFeedback Positive feedbackPositive feedback ►When the result of a process causes conditionsWhen the result of a process causes conditions which strengthen that process and increasinglywhich strengthen that process and increasingly amplify its resultsamplify its results Feedback from an amplifierFeedback from an amplifier Arctic ice meltingArctic ice melting Negative feedbackNegative feedback ►When the result of a process causes conditionsWhen the result of a process causes conditions which weaken the process and reduce its effectswhich weaken the process and reduce its effects An air conditioning systemAn air conditioning system More water in Earth’s atmosphere creating more cloudsMore water in Earth’s atmosphere creating more clouds that reflect and scatter sunlightthat reflect and scatter sunlight
- 41. 42 Systems ScienceSystems Science ►Time cyclesTime cycles--systems operate on all--systems operate on all different scales, including time scales, largedifferent scales, including time scales, large and smalland small 42
- 42. 43 Systems ScienceSystems Science ►Earth’s systems areEarth’s systems are always attempting toalways attempting to achieveachieve equilibriumequilibrium, in, in which exchanges ofwhich exchanges of matter and/or energymatter and/or energy are equal, in and outare equal, in and out ►Equilibrium is difficult toEquilibrium is difficult to attain and even moreattain and even more difficult to maintain overdifficult to maintain over long time cycleslong time cycles 43
- 43. 44 Systems ScienceSystems Science ►Sometimes a series of slight changes mightSometimes a series of slight changes might result in a larger change that pushes theresult in a larger change that pushes the system over asystem over a thresholdthreshold, a point at which, a point at which the same state can no longer be maintainedthe same state can no longer be maintained 44
- 44. 45 Earth’s 4 SpheresEarth’s 4 Spheres Biosphere Lithosphere Atmosphere Hydrosphere
- 48. 49 The Lone Cypress Pebble Beach, CA Biosphere
- 49. 5050 Congratulations!Congratulations! You just finished Lesson #1…. Are you ready for some review questions to test how well you’ve understood everything we’ve covered so far?
- 50. 51 Quick ReviewQuick Review 1.1. What is the most important question inWhat is the most important question in Geography?Geography? 2.2. Who were the first geographers in theWho were the first geographers in the Western tradition? Was theirs the onlyWestern tradition? Was theirs the only culture to produce good geographicculture to produce good geographic studies?studies? 3.3. Which of the Categories of AcademicWhich of the Categories of Academic Disciplines does Geography fit into?Disciplines does Geography fit into? 4.4. Name the 5 fundamental spatialName the 5 fundamental spatial concepts of geography. What one wordconcepts of geography. What one word or phrase defines each of these?or phrase defines each of these?
- 51. 52 Quick ReviewQuick Review 5.5. What does it mean when we describeWhat does it mean when we describe Geography as being holistic?Geography as being holistic? 6.6. What is a system?What is a system? 7.7. What is the difference between an openWhat is the difference between an open system and a closed system?system and a closed system? 8.8. What is the difference between positiveWhat is the difference between positive feedback and negative feedback?feedback and negative feedback? 9.9. Name Earth’s four “spheres”.Name Earth’s four “spheres”.
Editor's Notes
- #15: The Greeks codified it, broadened it, deepened it, named it, lived it These were the first geographers in the Western tradition, and their ideas have been handed down over thousands of years The real reason we follow in the Greeks’ footsteps? The ideas contained in their works survived and were translated into other languages
- #26: Every artist sees a landscape in a different way. Each brings to the canvas a sense of the place they are trying to interpret.
- #27: -Filmmakers must also understand sense of place--every film has a setting, right? I like to think of film as VISUAL GEOGRAPHY. -Even musicians can give you a sense of a place. Where is “Margaritaville”? -In creating ads, advertising agencies play on your sense of place to build an image, a feeling. Often these places are “imaginary”--based on real places, but not actually “real” at all.