An Introduction An Introduction to Global to Global

GeographyGeography

What is Geography?What is Geography?

It is a complex subject that studies the It is a complex subject that studies the earth’s inhabitants, the environment and earth’s inhabitants, the environment and the way they interact with one anotherthe way they interact with one another

In particular, Global Geography emphasizes In particular, Global Geography emphasizes the two-way interactions between the the two-way interactions between the human world and natural worlds, especially human world and natural worlds, especially the process that affect both these worlds the process that affect both these worlds and reveal their interconnectedness. and reveal their interconnectedness.

What is your own definition?What is your own definition?

Geographical Geographical InteractionsInteractions

Often times in geography we study the Often times in geography we study the way that the natural world has an effect way that the natural world has an effect on the human world or vice versaon the human world or vice versa

What are some examples?What are some examples?- Natural disastersNatural disasters- CultureCulture- EconomicEconomic

They are all interconnected in some wayThey are all interconnected in some way

Natural DisastersNatural Disasters

CultureCulture

EconomicsEconomics

Geography’s ImportanceGeography’s Importance Why have we studied geography in the Why have we studied geography in the

past and continue today?past and continue today? It was historically a matter of survival It was historically a matter of survival

where civilizations chose to establish where civilizations chose to establish settlementssettlements

We still question:We still question:-where to put new shopping malls-where to put new shopping malls-where to put gas lines-where to put gas lines-where to develop new subdivisons -where to develop new subdivisons -where to put our dumps/waste disposal-where to put our dumps/waste disposal

MapsMaps

The worlds oldest known map was inscribed The worlds oldest known map was inscribed on a clay tablet and believed to be from on a clay tablet and believed to be from ancient Mesopotamia around 2500 BCEancient Mesopotamia around 2500 BCE

Cartography and the study of geography Cartography and the study of geography was important even in Ancient timeswas important even in Ancient times

Maps provide us with visual Maps provide us with visual representations of space and place. They representations of space and place. They are also used to express data.are also used to express data.

Where and for what purposes have you Where and for what purposes have you seen maps used?seen maps used?

Early Mesopotamian Map Early Mesopotamian Map

Clay Tablet Clay Tablet

Map of the World - Map of the World - PtolemyPtolemy

85-165 AD85-165 AD

Hereford Mappamundi - Hereford Mappamundi - 12901290

Vesconte 1321Vesconte 1321

Mercator 1569Mercator 1569

World Map 2009World Map 2009

Geography….Geography…. On an intellectual level – satisfies On an intellectual level – satisfies

curiosity about other cultures and places curiosity about other cultures and places around the globearound the globe

On a practical level – develops our sense On a practical level – develops our sense of responsibility for the health of our of responsibility for the health of our planet and its citizensplanet and its citizens

By developing an understanding of By developing an understanding of geography we realize that we are geography we realize that we are dependent on the Earth’s environmentdependent on the Earth’s environment

As well, we learn how connected we are As well, we learn how connected we are with the rest of earth’s citizenswith the rest of earth’s citizens