APHumanGeography

Why would the Soviets want to influence greater Afghanistan?

Why does ethnic conflict occur?

What connections can you make to APHUG or any other resource or class?

Like this post if you've been on this Disney ride at least once in your lifetime. 

How can human geography help explain our current world portrait?

What is the value of travel?

What are the economic implications of desertification?

What sorts of regions are common in PA? 

Why would Japan, and any nation, want to extend their military's overseas role?  How did this story connect with the recent (and proposed) nuclear deal with Iran?

Why would countries like The Philippines or China be so concerned about names given to locations on Google Maps?

One of the most amazing landscapes I've ever seen ...  How can geography impact the diffusion of culture?

I believe geography plays a big role in the diffusion of culture of the Brenner Pass. This Pass has a unique history in which it was connected by two major dictators, Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini. Due to the connection of these major dictators many cultures in this area are also connected. For example this Pass is located in Italy, but over 80% of its population claims Germany as its first language. In addition, because this Pass is located on the exterior of Italy it becomes a hotspot for cultural diffusion. The reason for this is because locals from Italy can travel to other nations and express their culture by using the Brenner Pass. Also, many foreigners from other nations, such as Austria or Germany, can travel into Italy, using the Brenner Pass, and express their culture as well. This expression of culture can be seen due to the names of the various stations, tunnels, and viaducts. The names of the stations, tunnels and, viaducts have German names which represent the diffusion of culture from Germany to Italy. By examining the Brenner Pass it is clear to see how its geography can impact its diffusion of culture.

Well done! Has anyone ever traveled on the Brenner Pass?

As seen before, the effects of war can be physically and mentally gruesome as spontaneous acts of violence unravel extreme havoc to numerous civilians. In fact, recent violence has caused insurmountable refugees (mostly Syrians, Afghans, and Eritreans) to leave their homes and embark on a journey to Europe for their safety. This portrays the example of mobility as large amounts of people are leaving their homes in hopes of a better future. This is an example of relocation diffusion. As stated on page 11 of the textbook reading, relocation diffusion brings the ideas and practices of the migrant(s) to a new region. Furthermore, this mimics the events of Ishmael (the protagonist) in the memoir, A Long Way Gone, as he leaves his nation of Sierra Leone to live a safer life in New York City. Along with mobility, the geographical theme of globalization is also represented in the article. As the number of refugees crossing the Mediterranean increased, the European Union decided to distribute the thousands of refugees across its 28 nations. As a result, the European Union itself is an example of globalization as they communicate and connect with its members. All 28 countries are connected with one another, and they communicate to solve problems regarding peace, human rights, and economic development in Europe. Moreover, nations with a greater access to technology and communication (such as the members of the European Union) have a much better chance of establishing global connections because of the resources they have. Thus, this sudden rise of refugees migrating into European nations is correspondent to the themes of mobility and globalization. However, how does the increase of migrations affect the European nations bordering the Mediterranean? What economic problems will arrive with the increase of labor and population? How will the core-periphery pattern of formal regions, in regards to Syrian culture, change as many of its civilians depart?

Nicely done, Sam. Good job weaving the current event into themes from your book. The current migration flows n the Mediterranean region have tremendous political, economic, and social implications. How do you think the cultural landscape of European countries such as Norway or Germany might change as a result of recent migration flows?

I believe as the number of cultural groups migrate, they will bring their cultural characteristics to the new region. One of them, most likely, is religion. This might affect the landscape because religious shrines or temples will now be incorporated in European nations. In turn, it will definitely diversify the architectural styles seen in the new region.

President Barack Obama is visiting Kenya later this month and the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya is urging him not to speak about gay rights while he is there. The low turnout shows that the region boundary of legal gay marriage and support for it is expanding. What are other regions that are currently expanding or have been expanding recently?

This is another interesting current event. It also reminds me of hierarchal diffusion or the spread of ideas by a powerful person or group.

Earlier this week an unnamed space rocket, launched by SpaceX exploded just minutes after the launch. The purpose for this rocket, named Dragon, was to conduct a resupply mission for the International Space Station. Dragon's cargo included 2 tons of goods, including 1,500 pounds of food and provisions for the crew. It was not clear what caused this rocket to fail after launch but an investigation will be conducted very soon. This event relates to two major themes in Human Geography. The first theme is Globalization. Globalization represents the modern technological age, in which improved worldwide transport and communication allowing for the instantaneous diffusion of ideas and innovations as seen on page fourteen in the Themes Of Human Geography Textbook. By launching the rocket into space, SpaceX is improving communication between other nations that are using the International Space Station. Also, this rocket would have accelerated the technological age by providing influential information and hardware. In addition, this current event relates to the theme of Cultural Landscape. Cultural Landscape explains what a region or area actually looks like in relation to its physical features. Even though space is a foreign place to us humans it has its own Cultural Landscape, such as stars and galaxies. Thus this small rocket, loaded with supplies, can aid researchers in the Space Station acquire more information of the Cultural Landscape in space. In conclusion, Dragon's crash has been a very popular current event and relates to two various themes of Human Geography, including Globalization and Cultural Landscape.

Excellent analysis. Thank you! Here is an interesting resource from NASA about their attempt to map Mars (http://www.engadget.com/2015/07/10/nasa-mars-trek/).

One of the most prominent current events at this point in time is the legalization of gay marriage nationwide. This ruling has caused both celebration and controversy, as several individuals view homosexuality and traditions quite differently. This plays into the geographical theme of cultural landscapes, as the main opposition of this new law consists of conservatives (in the article, it is noted that the more liberal justices were the ones in strongest support). The conservative view is due to the idea of a traditional family. As the textbook reading says on page 23, the ideal lifestyle-- or the typical suburban middle-class American family-- was to consist of a mother, a father, and children. Some think this should be upheld, whether it be for the sake of religion, homophobia, or tradition. Therefore, this new legalization is closely associated with the idea of a cultural landscape. However, how does the fourteenth amendment exactly relate to this issue? The amendment was created for former slaves, and while it applies to everyone, how does it specifically affect marriage when it addresses most directly citizenship rights and basic equality? The basic benefits marriage will hold for these couples are a good thing, yes, but will they no longer be discriminated against? In fact, will this worsen prejudice of those who were very strongly against the idea?

Thank you for your intuitive analysis, Reagan. You're accurate in suggesting that the cultural landscape theme connects to the recent Supreme Court ruling. What individuals in society care for and what they take care of translates into how they organize the space around them. Which regions in the county, state, and nation would you most likely find those strongly against the recent Court ruling? Are some areas of the state or nation more conservative than others?

Did you know that Wilbur Zelinsky, author of the Zelinsky Model, taught at Penn State?

How can GIS and Census data be used to understand the story of Harrisburg better?