Global Culture and Tourism Geography

• Concerns global culture and tourism geography
• Focuses on geography, tourism, and locations across the world

Introduction to Geography and Tourism

• Geography is derived from the Greek words "Geo" (Earth) and "Graphy" (to write)
• Geography defined as the study of Earth's landscape, people, places, and environments
• Geography focuses on spatial relationships between humans and their surroundings

Elements of Geography

• The National Geographic Society identifies six essential elements of geography
• World in Spatial Terms studies how things are arranged on Earth's surface
• Places and Regions examine characteristics of specific locations and how they are grouped
• Physical Systems explores natural processes like climate, landforms, and ecosystems
• Human Systems focuses on how human activities shape the world
• Environment and Society examines the relationship between human societies and the environment
• Uses of Geography applies geographic knowledge to understand changes over time

Roles of Geography in Tourism

• Attracts tourists through landforms, water bodies, climate, and culture
• Climate attracts specific tourists, like tropical tourists vs. winter skiing tourists
• Geography helps tourists and travel professionals organize trips efficiently
• Destination Analysis identifies tourist hotspots and infrastructure needed for tourism

Types of Maps

• A political map shows country and state boundaries
• A physical map highlights natural features like mountains and rivers
• A climate map displays weather patterns and climatic zones
• An economic map represents natural resources and industries
• A road map indicates transportation networks
• A tourist map guides travelers to attractions and important locations

World's Continents and Hemispheres

• The seven continents are North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, Antarctica
• Hemispheres are divided by the Equator (North/South) and the Prime Meridian (East/West)
• The International Date Line is located at approximately 180° longitude, affecting time and date changes

International Tourism

• UNWTO defines international tourism as traveling outside one's usual environment for less than a year
• An excursionist is a same-day visitor who does not stay overnight
• A tourist stays at least 24 hours but less than one year
• A passport is needed for international travel
• A visa is a permit issued by the destination country for entry

Key Terms and Definitions

• Tourism Geography studies travel patterns and their effects on destinations
• Cultural Tourism includes traveling to experience different lifestyles, traditions, and heritage
• Sustainable Tourism minimizes environmental impact and benefits local communities
• Ecotourism focuses on natural environments and conservation efforts

Basic Concepts and Definitions

• Geography bridges both physical features and human aspects

Map Types and Their Purposes

• Political Maps focus on boundaries, countries, states, and major cities
• Physical Maps highlight natural features such as landforms, water bodies, and climatic zones

Essential Travel Documents

• A passport is a government-issued document required for international travel which verifies identity and citizenship

Physical Geography

• Asia's high plateau is often called the "Roof of the World"
• Mount Everest in the Himalayas is the world's highest peak
• The Pacific Ocean is largest body of water
• The Gobi Desert in Mongolia is known for its vast sand dunes and unique rock formations

Regional Geography; East Asia

• Beijing is the capital of China
• The Forbidden City in China is a UNESCO World Heritage site
• Tokyo is the capital of Japan
• Mount Fuji in Japan is an active volcano and highest peak
• Kyoto is an ancient city in Japan
• North Korea's official name is Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)
• South Korea is is notable for natural attractions such as Jeju Island
• Taipei 101 in Taiwan was formerly the world’s tallest skyscraper

Regional Geography; Southeast Asia

• Malaysia consists of Peninsular Malaysia (West Malaysia) and East Malaysia (on Borneo)
• Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia
• Petronas Twin Towers, Batu Caves, Legoland Malaysia Resort are popular tourist attractions in Malaysia
• Bangkok is the capital of Thailand
• The Grand Palace in Thailand has been the official residence of Thai kings since 1782
• Singapore is a city-state at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula
• Jewel Changi Airport, Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay are attractions in Singapore
• Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam
• Halong Bay and Hoi An Ancient Town are attractions in Vietnam

Regional Geography; South Asia

• India's flag is known as the “Tiranga” with saffron, white, and green stripes and the Ashoka Chakra -New Delhi is the capital of India
• The Taj Mahal in Agra is an attraction in India
• Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan
• Northern mountains (including K2 in the Karakoram range), ancient sites such as Mohenjo-Daro are key attractions in Pakistan

Western Asia

• Countries include Armenia, Azerbaijan, Israel, Jordan
• Cultural heritage includes UNESCO sites, ancient monuments, and religious landmarks
• Political geography includes capitals and official names

Cultural Geography and Tourist Attractions

• Some regions have multiple languages and religions that shape local customs (e.g., Malay, English, Chinese in Malaysia; Hinduism in India; Buddhism in Thailand and Singapore)
• Key UNESCO sites include the Forbidden City, Taj Mahal, Halong Bay, and ancient cities like Bagan (Myanmar) and Angkor (Cambodia)

Tourist Attractions

• Petronas Twin Towers, Batu Caves, Legoland Malaysia Resort are attractions in Malaysia
• Jewel Changi Airport, Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands are attractions in Singapore
• The Grand Palace, vibrant markets, and natural parks feature in Thailand
• Halong Bay, Hoi An Ancient Town, and the Old Quarter of Hanoi are attractions in Vietnam
• Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Chocolate Hills, and Manila Ocean Park are attraction in the Philippines
• Asia is home to the Tibetan Plateau, often referred to as the “Roof of the World” due to its extreme elevation
• Charyn Canyon is located in southeastern Kazakhstan
• Iskanderkul Lake in Tajikistan means “Alexander’s Lake”
• Lake Issyk-Kul is one of the world’s largest alpine lakes and is a major tourist attraction in Kyrgyzstan
• The Darvaza Gas Crater, often referred to as the “Door to Hell,” is a natural gas field in Turkmenistan that has been burning since 1971
• Registan Square, located in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, is one of the most famous landmarks along the Silk Road

Western Europe

• The Louvre Museum in Paris houses the Mona Lisa
• Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany inspired Sleeping Beauty’s Castle in Disneyland
• Blarney Castle is famous for the Blarney Stone in Ireland
• The Monaco Grand Prix is held annually on the city streets of Monte Carlo
• Stonehenge is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the United Kingdom
• Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands
• Salzburg is the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in Austria
• Switzerland's tourism tagline is "Get Natural"

Southern Europe

• The Parthenon is in Greece
• The Colosseum is located in Lazio, the region where Rome is found in Italy
• The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE buried Pompeii in Italy
• The capital city of Valletta in Malta was founded by the Knights of St. John
• Fado is a deeply emotional and melancholic Portuguese music genre
• Vallnord is a popular ski resort in Andorra
• The Sistine Chapel ceiling was painted by Michelangelo in the Vatican City
• Stari Most (Old Bridge) in Mostar is a famous landmark in Bosnia & Herzegovina

Northern Europe

• Tivoli Gardens, an amusement park in Copenhagen, Denmark, is one of the oldest in the world
• The oldest city in Finland is Turku
• Porvoo, Finland is famous for its colorful wooden houses and medieval charm
• Reynisfjara is a famous black sand beach in Iceland
• The nickname of Tromsø, Norway is "Gateway to the Arctic"
• Gauja National Park is the largest national park in Latvia
• Åre is Sweden's most famous ski resort
• The tourism tagline of Estonia is "Estonia – It's About Time"

Eastern Europe

• The Hill of Crosses in Lithuania symbolizes Lithuanian resistance and is a major pilgrimage site
• Independence Square is NOT a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Belarus
• Ukraine is the second-largest country in Europe by land area (after Russia)
• The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia, Bulgaria was built to honor Russian soldiers who died in the Russo-Turkish War
• The capital city of the Czech Republic is Prague
• The Carpathian Mountains dominate Slovakia's landscape
• The largest river in Poland is the Wisła (Vistula)
• Malbork Castle was built by the Teutonic Knights in Poland