CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY
GEOGRAPHY
• “Earth Description”
• Studies World’s Places,
Processes, & Spatial Patterns
– Where…?
– Why…?
Geography Studies Differences
From Place to Place
WHY STUDY GEOGRAPHY?
Geography helps you:
– Better appreciate & understand the
world
– Enjoy travel, reading, movies,
conversations
Population
Religion
Language
Political Geography
Cities
Urban Patterns
Agriculture
Industry
Folk
Culture
Folk
Culture
Popular
Culture
What is Culture?
• Culture = Human Activities, Customs, Beliefs
5 Themes of
Cultural
Geography
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Culture Region
Cultural Diffusion
Cultural Ecology
Cultural Interaction
Cultural Landscape
1. Culture Region
• Culture Region = Area …
• Types of Culture Regions
a)
b)
c)
Formal
Functional
Vernacular
1a. Formal Culture Regions
• A _______ area
• An area with a lot of __________
• Indefinite boundaries
1b. Functional Culture Regions
• Organized to serve a function
– Political
• Countries…
– Economic
• Delivery Area…
– Social
• Church Parish
– Focused on a NODE
1c. Vernacular Culture Regions
• A Region with a Common Name & Indefinite Boundaries
– “Midwest”
– “The South”
– For this area?
Formal, Functional, or Vernacular?
• Orange County?
• Functional
• Pacific Northwest?
• Vernacular
• A rice-growing region?
• Formal
• Pizza-Delivery Area for a
Pizza place?
• Functional
2. Cultural Diffusion
• Origin and Spread of Culture
• 3 Types
a) Relocation
b) Hierarchical
c) Contagious
2a. Relocation Diffusion
• ….through migration
– Examples…
2b. Hierarchical Diffusion
• Between urban centers, skipping smaller towns
– Concerts, Movies…
• Between wealthy/trendy people…
– Cell Phones, Gadgets…
2c. Contagious Diffusion
• Person-to-Person Influence
– “Absorb” the culture around you (family/friends)
• Music
• Language
• Habits
3. Cultural Ecology
• Interaction of Culture & Natural Environment
3. Cultural Ecology
• Environment Influences Culture
– Housing, Agriculture…
3. Cultural Ecology
• Culture (Human Activity) Influences the Environment
Beliefs Regarding Cul. Ecology
a) Environmental Determinism
– In a ____ env, people/culture will be ____
Beliefs Regarding Cul. Ecology
b) Possibilism
– Env influences people, but doesn’t determine
– People make choices
Beliefs Regarding Cul. Ecology
c) Humans as Modifiers of the Earth
– People affect the env.
– Depends on:
• Level of technology & wealth
• Attitudes towards env.
4. Cultural Interaction
• Influence between cultural elements
– Religion affects….
5. Cultural Landscape
• Man-Made Landscape
– Buildings…
5. Cultural Landscape
 Signs
5. Cultural Landscape
• Shows Values, Tastes, Fears, Technology…
5. Cultural Landscape
• Compare ECC campus to a university in Kenya