Geographic Concepts Practice- Human Geography

Which of the six essential elements of geography helps us better understand physical and cultural similarities and differences around the world?

D. places and regions

Our environments can change human behavior. Describe some ways that environment changes the choices we make. What does the connection between humans and environment have to do with the study of geography?

Humans change their behaviors to adapt to their surroundings in many ways. Humans adapt by building dwelling places that fit the climate and landscape they live in. The environment also has a significant impact on modes of transportation, economy, the types of activities humans participate in, and even communication methods. The way that humans interact and relate to their environment helps geographers understand the unique qualities of a place and helps humans interpret the past, understand the present, and prepare for the future.

Maps, satellite images, and photographs help geographers study spatial relationships between people and the environment.

True

What does it mean to talk about "place"? When geographers study place, they're looking at what a certain spot is like. What could you find there? Why is it appealing? What characteristics does it have? In a short paragraph, show that you understand place by describing one of your favorite spots to visit. What kind of place is it?

When someone is talking about "place", they are usually referring to a specific location that they find interesting. For example, when someone is talking about the Washington Monument as a "place," I could find the monument as a piece of American history. It is appealing because it symbolizes the time for the nation to become a powerful nation; the Washington Monument took a long time to complete because it was extremely delicate. By the time it was completed, it was the tallest building in the world from 1884 to 1889.

The process of __________ takes place when the Earth's surface is worn away by the action of physical processes such as wind and water.

A. erosion

A researcher is going to Hawaii to study Japanese immigration to the United States. Which of the five themes of geography would the researcher most likely use?

C. movement

If you are giving someone directions by describing an absolute location, you could say all of the following except "go to __________."

C. the east end of the National Mall, just past the Reflecting Pool

In your own words, describe what geography is all about. Write a short paragraph that explains what it means to study geography. Give two examples of things you might study as a geographer. (Hint: Think about the five themes and six essential elements of geography.)

Geography is about much more than the physical location of a town, city, or country. Geography encompasses everything that defines and distinguishes one place from another. Location and place are the two cornerstones of what geography is all about. Being able to find a location by defining a location in relative and absolute terms is essential to geographers, which is why they focus on spatial relationships and organize those relationships with maps, coordinates, and other directional guides. The study of geography goes beyond the specifics of location to define "place." Place is defined by the people, climate, behaviors, environment, landforms, and other things that distinguish one place from another. Geographers study the relationship among all of these things to provide a comprehensive picture of what a location is really all about.

Regions are changing constantly. When two people group places together into a region, they might do it differently. What region of the United States do you live in? In a short paragraph, describe your region and write about three distinguishing characteristics it possesses.

I live in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. This region includes Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C. Not only it is a region in which most, if not all, the major cities are close together, it is also known for Interstate 95, one of the busiest highways in the country that runs through the East Coast. Most of the backgrounds in the region are German, Irish, Italian, and Greek. In addition, it is coined by Frederick Jackson Turner as the "typically American" region in the United States. Finally, the Chesapeake Bay, Potomac River, and the Appalachian Mountains are the geographic locations most people are aware of.