The study of map making is called cartography. It is the human interpretation of physical geographical features. As Marshall McLuhan has expressed it, maps are one of a select group of media, "without which the world of science and technologies would hardly exist." Did you know that the idea of the Earth as a sphere was part of Greece's culture, but not Egypt or Mesopotamia? Find out more about cartography and its relation to geography in GEOG 204.
Human activity such as car emissions and concentrations of carbon dioxide are causing global warming. Changes in the overall climate of the Earth is going to lead to changes in coastlines, ocean water levels, flooding, drought, and countless other consequences. We have reports from NASA scientists that some parts of the world have already been affected. For example, Greenland has had glaciers melt at five times their normal rate since the 1990s. Learn more about climate change in GEOG 295.
When you visualize a map of the globe, which side do you imagine at the top? Is North America or Europe in plain view when you imagine it? These are questions that are considered controversial within the context of human geography. The way people view physical geographies is explored in regards to climate, population, culture, and governance. You can learn more about this kind of geography in GEOG 100.
Weather is different depending on where in the world you are. A desert is likely to have dry and hot summers, while a rainforest will have much more rainfall. Geography contributes to some of the reason why weather is so different in various ecosystems, places with a unique weather profile. For example, terrestrial geography such as mountains and glaciers can interrupt wind or rain patterns, creating a particular kind of weather for that area. Find out more about this fascinating course of study by taking GEOG 204.
