What is Geography?

What is Geography?

Learning goal: I can define geography and explain what different types of geographers study.

​Geography is about Earth's land, water, and air. It is also about Earth's living things, including people.

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The word comes from the Greek geo which means "Earth" and graphy which means "writing".

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Multiple Choice

What does the geo mean in Greek? 

• Earth 

• planets 

• history 

​Two types of geographers are:

​1. physical geographers and

​2. human geographers.

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​Physical geographers study landforms, water, and climate. They also study the distribution of living things.

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​Human geographers explore the ways that humans interact with the environment.

​The National Mall

The National Mall is located in Washington, D.C. ​ It's a public park where people can gather for fun or to exercise their Constitutional right of free speech.

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​Presidential inaugurations, large demonstrations, and rallies take place at the National Mall.

Multiple Choice

Where is the National Mall located? 

• Dallas, Texas 

• Memphis, Tennessee 

• Washington, D.C. 

Water is very important.

​People need water for drinking, cooking, and bathing. They need it for farming and transportation too.

U.S. Geography Hall of Fame​

• ​Lake Superior is the world's largest body of fresh water in volume.

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• ​The southernmost point in the continental United States is Key West, Florida.

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• ​At 20, 310 feet Denali in Alaska is the highest U.S. peak.

​Continental vs. Continguous United States

​The U.S. has 50 states. There are 49 continental states, which means that 49 states are located on the continent of North America. There are 48 contiguous states. Contiguous means "touching". That means that the states border one another.

Multiple Choice

What does "contiguous" mean? 

• large 

• touching 

• populated