Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Week 1 August 5th-12th

Why study Geography?

It includes the study of our planet and of occurrences in nature.
Geography consists of the study of our planet, its climatic conditions, the various landforms on Earth, and the different natural occurrences. It includes the spatial analysis of human and natural phenomena, the exploration of earth sciences, and the study of the relationship between nature and human life. The study of geography includes the analysis of social, economic, and environmental processes that affect nature.

It involves the study of people.
The geography of a region affects the lifestyle of its inhabitants. The geographical conditions of a region influence its culture. They have a deep impact on the social and cultural norms of people. The geography of a region has a direct effect on the art forms, the literature, the food habits, and the celebrations and traditions of the people that inhabit it. The study of geography lets us understand the distribution of people around the world and the differences in their ways of living.

It includes the study of natural resources.
The natural wealth of a region owes its existence to the region's geographical conditions. The geographical location of a region influences its climate, which in turn influences the life forms that can thrive in that region. Why does oil come from Saudi Arabia? Why are China and India the largest producers of rice? Why do camels populate the African terrains and polar bears inhabit the Arctic? Why is the deciduous forest biome in parts of America, Asia, Europe, Africa, and Australia? Why are rainforests found in the equatorial regions? It is all because of the diverse geographical conditions around the world. Thus, the study of geography answers several interesting questions about the availability and distribution of resources and life forms.

It is key to development.
The geological features vary across different parts of the globe. Why are certain regions more prone to earthquakes than the others? Why some regions experience snowfall while others don't? What are the types of soil found in various regions? The answers to such questions and the knowledge of landforms and altitudes is included in geology, a field that is closely linked with geography. Its study helps us know the natural disasters a region is prone to, thereby helping us take the required preventive measures. It is of help to man in planning the building of dams and electricity projects. It is of use in planning the development of businesses and trade.

It helps us visualize the world.
The study of geography includes understanding the locations of various territories and countries. It includes studying the organization of landmasses and water bodies across the globe. Maps, an important part of the study of geography, help us locate places on the globe. Their study helps us form a mental image of the distances and locations of various regions on the planet. As geography helps us gauge distances and locate places on Earth, it helps improve our navigation skills.

It helps us appreciate life.
Studying geography helps us appreciate the diversity in life forms. It exposes us to various ecology issues and environmental concerns. It helps us understand how nature influences life. It lets us know how cultures take shape. It enables us to know how civilizations are born. It helps us understand the interaction between natural components and human beings.

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HOME WORK
This week you should familiarize yourself with the syllabus and spend the majority of your time working through the Unit 1 blog post, familiarize yourself with the countries, think about what country or region will be the focus of your project and what you would like to do.  At the top of the blog you will find a "Project Ideas" page to help you get started.  You are not limited to these ideas! Feel free to design your own project. 

Read: Prisoners of Geography the introduction through chapter 2. (67 pages) Before you read, check out the background notes below.
                     
Background notes
The following are mentioned in this week's reading.  Take a few minutes to learn more about them.


Check the news: Find a recent news or magazine article (within the last 90 days) about one of the countries we are studying in unit 1.  In the comments of this post write a 2-3 sentence synopsis of the article and another 2-3 sentences on why you think the story was interesting or important.  Provide the link to the article in your comment.  You must choose a story on a different subject or from the opposing perspective of one posted by your classmates.

Review it! 
Lecture 1
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ju88Yuw5vF5yL0oR67JQr48KHv2AApZUnY6_o4u31HY/edit?usp=sharing

6 comments:

  1. https://thediplomat.com/2018/06/a-bride-kidnapping-in-kyrgyzstan-ends-in-a-young-womans-death/

    This article is about how one death was the final straw in the fight against bride kiddnapping in Kyrgyzstan. In this article the story of Burulai Turdaaly Kyzy's kidnapping and death is told. The issue of bride kidnapping and child marriage is brought up and how this isn is a violation of these women's rights.

    I believe that this article is important because through reading this we become aware of the challenges that other countries are having, in this case bride kidnapping. Through learning more about bride kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan I can see how priviledged that I live in the U.S. and don't have to worry about this happening to me or anyone that I care about. Another interesting aspect of this story is how inattentive and laid back the police is in this country, due to further research this is not the first time a death has resulted due to police negliegence.

    ReplyDelete
  2. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-45140551

    In recent years, the Chinese Communist Party has repressed religious groups on many occasions. The most recent being a standoff between Hui Muslims and Chinese authorities regarding a mosque in Ningxia, central China. Muslim worshipers gathered outside the mosque and refused entry to Chinese authorities.

    Now the repression of religious groups is nothing new. Chinese authorities had torn down crosses because 'they did not meet the standards'. They also acted quite extremely over Xinjiang Muslims, sending in swat teams and checking everyones cell phones after a small terror attack.
    This actually shows the governments weakness. If you have to act with military force every time a group does something, it shows the governments fragility.

    ReplyDelete
  3. My comment and article is above. I wasn't signed into google. Josh Fowler

    ReplyDelete
  4. https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/rival-thai-parties-claim-right-to-form-government

    This article is about the Thailand election being rigged and the allegations against one of the runners for office. both parties have threatened to separate and form their own government.

    Amid allegations of "ghost ballots" in Thailand's election, the party trying to bring Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha back to power is jostling with one linked to former premier Thaksin Shinawatra in a race to form a governing coalition.

    ReplyDelete
  5. https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/leopards-cambodia-endangered-poaching-hunting-extinction-laos-vietnam-wild-a8239201.html

    This article is about the possibility of the extinction for the leopards in Cambodia. There are probably 1,000 left in Cambodia.

    It is because of poaching, habitat loss, prey decline due to bush meat poaching, and conflict between them and people. You may ask. Why is this important? We should take care of all the animals on the earth.

    ReplyDelete

Week 2 August 14-21

LOOKING AT MAPS “Maps are like milk: their information is perishable , and it is wise to check the date.”  “Like guns and crosses, m...