Physical & Human Characteristics of a Place

1. Physical & Human Characteristics of a Place SSWG1c Analyze the interrelationship between physical and human characteristics of a place. SSWG2a Describe the concept of place by explaining how the culture of a region is a product of the region’s physical characteristics.

2. Physical Geography • Examples of Physical Characteristics shaping a place: • Landforms & Bodies of Water • Climate • Vegetation • Soil • Animal Life • Natural Hazards

3. Landforms & Bodies of Water • There are many different types of landforms and bodies of water that present challenges • How would living here impact your job? Justify your answer.

4. Climate • Climate is the weather over a period of time. • Wind patterns, ocean currents, elevation, & landforms impact climate. • How would your life be affected if this was your climate daily? Once a year?

5. Soil • Soil is a thin layer of weathered rock, humus (decomposition), air and water • Soil can change because of erosion, farming, & grazing. • What can you infer about the soil in this place? Justify your answer.

6. Natural Vegetation • Vegetation is the plant life of a particular place. • People often change the vegetation to survive. • What kind of climate would support this kind of vegetation?

7. Animal Life • Animal life includes species indigenous to the region and domesticated animals. • What would be a positive of living here? Negative?

8. Natural Hazards • Examples • Volcanoes • Earthquakes • Hurricanes • Typhoons • Cyclones • Tsunamis • Why do you think people still choose to live in places with natural hazards? Justify your answer.

9. Cultural Characteristics • Examples of Cultural Characteristics shaping a place: • Language • Customs & Traditions • Religions • Gender roles/Family Structures • The Arts • Foods • Clothing • Housing

10. Language • Language is expressed in both written & spoken form. • Isolation & globalization influence language. • What language would you expect to be spoken in this picture? Why?

11. Customs & Traditions • Customs & traditions are practices of a culture handed down from generation to generation. • Examples • Life cycle (birth, marriage, death) • Holiday • Seasons • What tradition do you think these women are celebrating? Justify your answer.

12. Religion • Religion is the belief in the creation and cause of the universe; usually supernatural • Major world religions & tribal religions • How might the belief in a religion impact your daily life? Give 3 examples.

13. Gender Roles/Family Structures • More developed countries have more equality between genders • Less developed countries have more traditional family structures. • Gender roles/family structures influence view on education and government participation • What can you infer about the gender role & family structure of the society ?

14. The Arts • The arts include • Music • Dance • Visual Arts • The arts are often linked to religion. • Could this boy’s painted face be considered to be art? Why or why not?

15. Foods • Food is heavily influenced by: • Landforms/Bodies of water • Religion • Standard of living • What can you infer about the diets of the people where this woman lives? Justify your answer.

16. Clothing • Clothing is often linked to the environment (climate) • Clothing can be linked to religion and/or gender roles. • What do you think the purpose of this clothing is? What does it tell you about the society?

17. Housing • Housing choices are linked a great deal with the physical environment (climate & building materials). • What factor(s) probably influenced the people here? Why? Justify your answer.

18. Post-It Gallery Walk • Now that you have learned all about the human and physical characteristics of a place you are going to show what you know. • In a moment you are going to work with other people (I am choosing so deal) and talk about how these factors are seen in the pictures in the room. • You will need a pen/pencil. • We will do the example together…