What is geography?

• geo, from the Greek for Earth

• -graphy, description and depiction

• Geography = Earth writing and drawing

Geography: It’s not just about answers ...• What’s the capital of North Dakota?

• What’s the most populous country?

• Which direction does the Nile flow?

… it’s about asking questions, too.

Geography: It’s not just about answers ...• What’s the capital of North Dakota?

– Bismarck• What’s the most populous country?

• Which direction does the Nile flow?

… it’s about asking questions, too.

Geography: It’s not just about answers ...• What’s the capital of North Dakota?

– Bismarck• What’s the most populous country?

– China• Which direction does the Nile flow?

… it’s about asking questions, too.

Geography: It’s not just about answers ...• What’s the capital of North Dakota?

– Bismarck• What’s the most populous country?

– China• Which direction does the Nile flow?

– Down hill!

… it’s about asking questions, too.

The three geographical questions (3GQ) … • Where is it?

• Why is it there?

• How does it interact with the world around it?

… tools for problem solving

Kolkata, India

Practice the 3GQ: What geographic questions can you ask about this scene?

Where are these people going? Why are they here?How does their movement interact with the world?

Kolkata, India

Going global: A geographic riddle …

What sails across the oceans?

But begins life in small, round seas?

Brings a gift from the Nile?

But buzzes to you in Japanese?

• … listen and learn the answer

• National Public Radio

What sails across the oceans?

But begins life in small, round seas?

Brings a gift from the Nile?

But buzzes to you in Japanese?

• … listen and learn the answer

• National Public Radio

Please give a warm Hoosier welcome to …

… the Asian Tiger Mosquito.

The Asian Tiger Mosquito … coming to a warm, damp place near you.

Global trade: used tires, a great place to grow mosquitoes, and what a bargain!

Global transport: fast ships, sealed containers means more mosquitoes arrive alive

Global warming: Some like it hot, especially if you’re a mosquito

Three geographic questions (3GQ) • Where is the Asian Tiger mosquito?

– warm places with standing water

• Why is it here? – global trade in used tires– “improvements” in shipping technology

• How does it interact with the world around it? – Tropical diseases, delivered to your doorstep!

The three geographic questions (3GQ) • Where is it?

• Why is it there?

• How does it interact with the world around it?

Q: What do geographers do?

A: They solve problems by answering the 3GQ

Where is Elvis tenderly loved, and where is he not?