What is Human Geography?

And why is it important?

...the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth’s surface. Students employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine socio-economic organization and its environmental consequences. They also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their research and applications.

Human Geography is...

Really wordy, huh?

This is the exact course description from the College Board.

Don’t freak out. It’ll make sense.

What is Geography?

Location -

the position of something on the earth’s surface

• Absolute Location: longitude / latitude coordinates; addresses (exact spot on Earth’s surface)
• Relative Location: location compared to another place (“Charlottesville is west of Richmond.”)

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What is Geography?

Space -

the physical gap or distance between two objects

What is Geography?

Scale -

the relationship between the size of an object or distance between objects on a map and the size of the actual object or distance on earth’s surface. Large vs Small

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What is Geography?

Place -

a specific point on earth with human and physical characteristics that distinguish it from other points

What is Geography?

Pattern -

the arrangement of objects on earth’s surface in relationship to one another

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What is Geography?

Regionalization -

the organization of earth’s surface into distinct areas that are viewed as different from other areas

What is Geography?

Globalization -

the expansion of economic, political, and cultural activities to the point that they reach and have impact on many areas of the world

What is Geography?

All of these key concepts help you understand --

Spatial Organization-

• location of places, people, and events
• connections among places and landscapes (landscape = the overall appearance of an area that is shaped by both human and natural influences)

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Spatial Analysis - figuring out the “why of where”