The National Geography Standards
|
|
When we understand where a place is located, we may begin to associate physical and human characteristics with that location. What is it like there? In these two slides the place we examine with "the geographer's eye" is Cananea (kan-an-ay-ah), Mexico. |
|
|
Near Cananea, Sonora, Mexico - Characteristics of the physical landscape of Sonora in northwest Mexico include: (a) scrub vegetation indicative of low rainfall (about 30 inches per year) combined with high evapotranspiration, and (b) mountain ranges separated by broad basins. Air pollution, a visual hint of a nearby town, is visible in the distance. |
|
|
Cananea, Sonora, Mexico - Sonora's town of Cananea clusters around a copper smelter, making it the copper capital of Mexico. Characteristics of the cultural landscape include: (a) higher density populations in an urban setting, (b) the copper smelting industry which gives the town an economic base, and (c) atmospheric pollution which degrades the local environment. |
|
|
-burgs in the conterminous United States - Cultural characteristics of places include their names. Geographers call place names toponyms. This map shows the distribution of towns and cities in the United States that end in "-burg," e.g., Harrisburg. In what state is the -burg toponym most concentrated? Source: D.J. Zeigler and D.J. Hopkins, data from the Geographic Names Information System (USGS). |
A Sample Question form the National Geography Challenge 1996 (Grades 10-12) which illustrates . . .
STANDARD 4 -- PHYSICAL AND HUMAN CHARACTERISTICS OF PLACES
Which landform type best describes Africa?