Place Place Identification Place Names Site Situation What

Place

Place Identification • Place Names • Site • Situation • What makes a “place” unique can also be used to identify the “location. ” • Example: The name, site & situation of Nevada can also be used to know where Nevada is located.

Place Names • Toponym – The name given to a portion of Earth’s surface. • Examples: • • United States Nevada Reno Aiea, Hawaii. Only city in U. S. completely spelled with vowels.

Site • Site – The physical character of place. People must take into consideration site factors when choosing a settlement. • Site characteristics • Examples: • • Climate Water sources Topography Soil Vegetation Latitude Elevation

Situation • Situation – The location of a place relative to another place. • Helps us to understand importance • Singapore is important due to the fact it is situated in a major shipping passage in Southeast Asia • Directions • Ex: “Go over the railroad tracks, turn right at the Mc. Donalds, it’s the third house on the right” • How would you describe the situation of Reno?

Region A sense of place

Regions and Cultural Landscape • Regions can be defined by attributes of culture such as, • • Language Religion Economic features such as agriculture and economy Physical features and climate. *When you think of “The South” or “Southern States” what come to mind?

Online: 6/27/2006 -http: //antwrp. gsfc. nasa. gov/apod/image/usanight_dmsp_big. gif

Regions • Larger than a point & smaller than the planet • Types • Formal region • Functional region • Vernacular region

Formal Region • Formal region – Also known as uniform or homogeneous region; an area in which everyone shares in one or more distinctive characteristics. • Examples: • Montana • American wheat belt • Areas characterized as a predominantly “Republican” or “Democratic” state

Functional Region • Functional region – Also known as nodal region; an area organized around a node or focal point. • Examples: • Range of TV station • Circulation of newspaper • Pizza Delivery route

Vernacular Region • Vernacular region – Also known as perceptual region; an area that people believe exists as part of their cultural identity. • Examples: • American “South” • How Americans see the rest of the world • How Mr. Lindberg perceives Iowa. Which is why vernacular regions can be dangerous or off base.

Mental Map • Without looking at any maps you will draw a map of the Reno area including areas and place of importance to you.

egionalism • A group’s perceived identification with a particular region at any scale. • What words might you use to describe your perception of the Middle East?