An Introduction To

Geography: Major
Themes
Today’s Lesson

● This is a continuation of yesterday’s lesson.

● Yesterday, we learned about physical (natural) and
human (man made) geographic interactions.
● How can we use these interactions to answer
geographic questions?
Objective #3

● Ask geographic questions from the spatial perspective

The Spatial Perspective

● Geography is the “why of where”

● WHY are things the way they are WHERE they are?
The Spatial Perspective

● Use the following format

○ Why is “X characteristic/thing” in “Y location?”
■ Why do they speak Portuguese in Brazil?
■ Why are there so many Republicans in West Virginia?
■ Why do they say “pop” instead of “soda” in the midwestern
US?
The Spatial Perspective

● Geographic data in different forms can be used to

generate geographic questions
● It’s all about being curious and asking “why?”
Map Analysis

● Step 1: The basics

○ What are we
looking at?
The title and
legend might
help with this.
Generating Spatial Questions

● Second, look for patterns. Then, generate a spatial question.

● Why is population density so low in

the central area?
● Why is population density so high
on the coast?
Map Analysis

● Step 3: Generate an explanation

○ Why is population
density higher on the
coast? What possible
explanations are there?
Generate Your Own Spatial Questions

● First, look for patterns. Then, generate a spatial question.

Example Questions:
● Why is Islam mainly
found in the Middle East?
● Why is Hinduism mostly
in South Asia?
● Why is Christianity
everywhere?
Generating Spatial Questions

● First, look for patterns. Then, generate a spatial question.

Example Questions:
● Why does Niger
have so many
children?
● Why does
Germany have
so few
children?
Objective #4

● Answer geographic questions using physical and

human geographic elements
The Spatial Perspective - Answering Geographic Questions

● So now that we know how to ask a geographic

question using the spatial perspective, how do we
answer it?
● Often, physical and human geographic elements (and
how they interact) can help us find the answers we are
looking for.
The Spatial Perspective - Answering Geographic Questions

● First, you’ll be given a chance to be curious! Let’s

generate some questions based on geographic data
The Spatial Perspective - Answering Geographic Questions
This is a map of
worldwide pork
production.
● Write a geographic
question based on a
pattern you see.
The Spatial Perspective - Answering Geographic Questions
There are many possible
questions. Let’s focus on
one.
● Why is pork production
so low in the Middle
East and North Africa?
(The number is so low
they didn’t even gather
data)
The Spatial Perspective - Answering Geographic Questions

● Let’s use physical and human geographic data to come up

with a possible answer. The following map might help...
The Spatial Perspective - Answering Geographic Questions

● Let’s use physical and human geographic data to come up

with a possible answer. The following map might help...
The Spatial Perspective - Answering Geographic Questions

● Finally, let’s read a bit about it and see how the

physical and human elements interact to create a
unique spatial pattern.
The Spatial Perspective - Answering Geographic Questions

● The low pork production in the Middle East and North Africa
can be explained by both physical and human factors.
● Islam places a restriction on pork consumption. Because there
is a large Islamic population in this region, pork production is
low.
● In addition, the dry climate of the Middle East is not ideal for
raising pigs, which require a lot of water.
The Spatial Perspective - Answering Geographic Questions

● Now, it’s your turn to try individually. Generate a question

based on this map...
The Spatial Perspective - Answering Geographic Questions

● Again, there are many possible questions. Let’s focus on one...

● Why is meat
consumption so low in
India?
The Spatial Perspective - Answering Geographic Questions

● Try to answer using this map...

The Spatial Perspective - Answering Geographic Questions

● Try to answer using this map. Focus on India

The Spatial Perspective - Answering Geographic Questions

● Finally, read and answer

● Answer must include physical and human factors
● This is your exit ticket!