For humanities, we mostly learned about geography and why it is important. Geography is important because it shows where everything is and it delineates borders between different countries, provinces, and regions. We had a diving question, which was: how has the geography of the west shaped who we are? We learned about longitude and latitude, as well as the theme of geography called Place. Place includes cultural characteristics, religion, and language, and it is important because it makes a place unique and explains why it is unique. Another theme of geography is human-environment interaction, which illustrates how humans interact with the world and how we change our surroundings.
Movement is another theme of geography that shows how we travel and the means of transportation we use, such as cars, planes, and trains. Regions, which are areas of the world that have similarities, is another theme of geography. Different regions may have different governments that establish borders for these regions. Examples of different regions include provinces and states, which demonstrate how a country or even a region like North America can be divided into multiple countries.
One aspect we explored was the physical geography of the west. The vast landscapes of mountains, deserts, and plains have influenced the way we live, move, and interact with our environment. For example, the Rocky Mountains act as a natural barrier, separating the western states from the rest of the country. This has contributed to the development of unique regional identities and the formation of distinct cultural practices.
In conclusion, the geography of the west has had a profound impact on our society. It has shaped our physical environment, influenced migration and settlement patterns, and contributed to the development of unique cultural practices. By understanding and appreciating the power of geography, we can gain a deeper understanding of the world we live in and how it has shaped our identities.