Introduction to Geography

• Geography is the study of Earth, encompassing physical features, atmosphere, and human activity
• Examines the interactions between humans and their environment
• Focuses on understanding spatial distribution of phenomena
• Investigates the changes in these phenomena over time

Branches of Geography

• Physical geography studies natural processes and features of Earth
• Covers climate, landforms, and ecosystems
• Human geography examines the effects of human activities on Earth
• Explores population, culture, and economics

Key Concepts in Geography

• Location is a specific place on Earth
• Absolute location uses coordinates like latitude and longitude
• Relative location describes a place's position in relation to others
• Place includes physical and human characteristics of a location
• Regions are areas sharing similar attributes
• Formal regions have precisely defined boundaries
• Functional regions are structured around a central node
• Perceptual regions are based on subjective perceptions
• Movement involves the travel of people, goods, and ideas
• Human-environment interaction describes mutual impacts

Geographic Tools

• Maps are visual representations of Earth's surface
• Depict political borders, physical features, and population density
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) capture, store, analyze, and display geographic data
• Remote sensing gathers data from a distance using satellites and aircraft
• Cartography is the art and science of map making

Population Geography

• Population geography studies the distribution, composition, migration, and growth of human populations
• Population density is the number of people per unit area
• Birth rate is the number of live births per 1,000 people annually
• Death rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 people annually
• Migration is the movement of people from one place to another
• Immigration is the movement of people into a country
• Emigration is the movement of people out of a country
• Population pyramids display age and sex structure

Cultural Geography

• Cultural geography studies spatial variations in cultural traits and societal functions
• Culture includes shared values, beliefs, practices, and material objects
• Language is a communication system
• Religion is a system of beliefs and practices about the universe
• Ethnicity is a shared cultural heritage

Economic Geography

• Economic geography studies the location, distribution, and organization of economic activities
• Primary activities extract raw materials
• Secondary activities process raw materials into manufactured goods
• Tertiary activities provide services to people and businesses
• Quaternary activities process information and manage knowledge
• Globalization increases global interconnectedness

Political Geography

• Political geography studies the spatial organization of political systems
• A state is a political unit with defined territory, population, government, and sovereignty
• A nation is a group sharing culture, language, and history
• A nation-state has territory aligned with a particular ethnicity transformed into a nationality
• Boundaries separate political units
• Geopolitics studies geography's influence on political relations

Urban Geography

• Urban geography studies spatial organization of cities and urban areas
• Urbanization is the movement from rural to urban areas
• A city is a concentration of population and economic activity
• Suburbs are residential areas on city outskirts
• Urban sprawl is uncontrolled urban expansion

Environmental Geography

• Environmental geography studies human-environment interactions
• Climate change involves long-term shifts in global and regional climates
• Deforestation clears forests for other uses
• Pollution contaminates the environment
• Conservation protects natural resources
• Sustainability meets present needs without compromising future generations

Geomorphology

• Geomorphology studies landforms and shaping processes
• Erosion wears away Earth's surface via natural forces
• Weathering breaks down rocks and minerals physically and chemically
• Plate tectonics states Earth's crust is divided into moving plates
• Volcanoes are mountains formed by molten rock eruption
• Earthquakes are crust vibrations due to energy release

Climatology

• Climatology studies climate
• Climate is average weather over a long period
• Weather is the atmospheric state at a specific time and place
• Precipitation is water falling from the atmosphere
• Temperature measures hotness or coldness
• Wind is air movement
• Climate zones share climate characteristics

Biogeography

• Biogeography studies the distribution of plants and animals
• An ecosystem includes interacting living organisms and their environment
• Biodiversity is the variety of life
• Biomes are large areas with specific climate, animals, and plants
• Deforestation impacts biogeography significantly

Hydrology

• Hydrology studies water on Earth
• The water cycle is the continuous movement of water
• Groundwater is water stored underground
• Surface water is found on Earth's surface
• A watershed drains into a common body of water
• Irrigation artificially applies water to land for crops

Applying Geography

• Geography is used in urban planning
• It helps understand global issues
• Especially helpful in environmental management
• Applications exist in business
• Frequently used in travel and tourism

Current trends

• Geographic technologies evolve rapidly
• Globalization increases
• Rising concern about climate change
• Growing movement toward sustainable development
• Urbanization continues in many areas