What is Geography?

Geography is a representation of the whole known world together with the phenomena which are contained therein.
Ptolemy, Geographia 2nd Century A.D.

Geography is the science of place. Its vision is grand, its view panoramic. It sweeps the surface of the Earth, charting the physical, organic and cultural terrain, their areal differentiation, and their ecological dynamics with humankind. Its foremost tool is the map.
Leonard Krishtalka, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, 20th Century A.D.

What is Geography?
Geography is the study of WHAT IS WHERE and HOW IT GOT THERE.

Five Key Spatial Themes of

Geography
1. Location specific location, where?
2. Place unique properties of a place 3. Movement diffusion, communications 4. Region an areas uniform characteristics 5. Human-Earth Relationships
human interaction with an environment

What is Physical Geography?

Geography is a bridge between the natural and social sciences. Geography is a holistic and synthesizing science. Physical Geography Natural Science Rocks and Minerals Landforms Soils Animals Plants Water Atmosphere Rivers and Other Water Bodies Environment Climate and Weather Human Geography Population Settlements Economic Activities Transportation Recreational Activities Religion Political Systems Social Traditions Human Migration Agricultural Systems

Geotechniques GIS, GPS, Remote-Sensing, Cartography

Geography of Food
Food coffee oranges pork Place of Invention Ethiopia South Asia, India China, South Asia Current Production Tropics US, Mediterranean Worldwide

wheat
tea oats pepper

Near East
China Near East South America

US, Russia, Argentina

Asia Temperate Climates S. America, Worldwide

Coffee Consumption (per capita)

#1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 #10 #11

Norway: Finland: Denmark: Sweden: Netherlands: Switzerland: Germany: Austria: Belgium: France: Italy: United States:

10.7 kgs 10.1 kgs 9.7 kgs 7.8 kgs 7.1 kgs 7 kgs 5.7 kgs 5.5 kgs 5 kgs 3.9 kgs 3.2 kgs

#12

3 kgs

COFFEE PRODUCTION

Top Ten Coffee Growing Countries (Yellow) First domesticated in Ethiopia, coffee has come to be a major export crop for colonial countries. In Uganda, 70-80% of export revenue is generated by coffee. Many issues are raised by the continuation of such colonial economics.

Fields of Physical Geography

Geomorphology - studies the various landforms on the Earth's surface. Pedology - is concerned with the study of soils and their relationship to vegetation and farming. Biogeography - is the science that investigates the spatial relationships of plants and animals. Climatology - studies the effects of weather on life and examines the circulation of the atmosphere over longer time spans. Cartography - the art and science of making maps.

Cartography: The Art and Science of Mapmaking (Click for more info)

Geographic Information Science (GIS)

GIS is "an organized collection of computer hardware, software, geographic data, and personnel designed to efficiently capture, store, update, manipulate, analyze, and display all forms of geographically referenced information."

Click on the map above to use the National Atlas of the United States.

REMOTE SENSING

La Conchita Landslide, January 2005

REMOTE SENSING
(click here for more info)

Aerial Photos of GCC (click)

Fires in Southern California

Source: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=11799

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) click for info

Latest World Earthquakes Map
National Atlas of the United States

Jobs in Geography
Aerial Photo Interpreter Site Researcher Land Economist Geographer Facilities Planner Agricultural Extension Agent Soil Conservationist Land-Use Analyst Land Developer Forestry Technician Air/Water Quality Control Manager Surveyor

Cartographer
Systems Analyst Map Analyst Geographic Information Systems Coastal Zone Manager Transportation Analyst Market Research Analyst

Geographic Area Specialist

Cartography Compiler Teacher Map Curator/Librarian Geophysics Assistant Community Developer Transportation Manager

Location Expert
Geographic Attache' Climatologist Traffic Manager Map Editor Hazardous Waste Planner Computer Mapper

Health Services Planner

Computer Programmer Urban/Regional Planner Park Ranger Industrial Developer Ecologist Writer/Author Public Utilities Specialist International Business Rep International Investment Analyst

Natural Resources Spec.

Health Services Organization Manager Demographer Weather Forecaster Peace Corp Volunteer Industrial Planner Editor Zoning Investigator Real Estate Agent/Broker/Appraiser Remote Sensing Analyst

Travel Agent/Specialist
Outdoor Guide Hydrologist Earth Scientist Wildlife Manager Property Manager Intelligence Agent Env. Impact Analyst Environmental Quality Specialist College/University Professor

Famous Geography Students

Prince William of Wales Majored in Geography at University of Saint Andrews, Scotland Michael Jordan Majored in Cultural Geography at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Mother Teresa - Taught Geography and History in Calcutta for 15 Years

Immanuel Kant the famous philosopher also taught everything from geography to physics and anthropology.

Fieldwork: Geographers as Modern Explorers and Observers

Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 2002

Sequoia National Park, Summer Field Class, 2003

Baja, 1996

Rocky Mountain National Park, 2003

Northern Baja Rest Stop, 1998

Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, 2004 Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes - Jimmy Buffet

Costa Rica, 2004

Big Sur, California, 2003

Milford Sound, New Zealand 2002

Franz Joseph Glacier, New Zealand, 2002

Honolua Bay, Maui, Hawaiian Islands, 2003

Sugar Cane Field, Maui, Hawaiian Islands, 2003

Physical Geography Student, Zion National Park, Utah, 2002

Hacienda Baru, Costa Rica, 2004

Antelope Canyon, Navajo Nation, 2000

China, 2004

Cadiz Dunes, Mojave Desert,

GCC Baja California Field Station, 2008