Major World Regions

Introduction

This activity provides an introduction to the use of computer-based geographic information systems software (GIS) as a learning tool for Global Geography. GIS is a powerful computer application that links a visible map with an underlying database containing information about the mapped features. You extract information from a GIS in two fundamental ways:

• You ask the database to show you the locations of features that match your search criteria (e.g., all states which have high population density);
  

• You point to a location on the map and ask the database to tell you what it knows about the feature found at that location (e.g., name, population, etc.).

The result is information in the form of maps and data linked to specific locations on the world map. As you learn to interpret those maps and data, you gain insights into the differences from one part of the world to the next that comprise the core subject matter of Global Geography.

In this activity you will use GIS to learn about some of the demographic characteristics of the major world regions. Follow the instructions carefully, think about the information that is presented to you on the screen, and mark your response to each numbered question next to the corresponding number on the Scantron^® Form No. 882-ES answer sheet. When you are finished, give the completed Scantron form to the lab instructor. It will be returned to you during your regular class period.

Learning Objectives

This activity is designed to help you learn the following:

• How to extract information from Geographic Information Systems, including:

  1. Using point-and-click to extract information about a particular location
     

  2. Querying the database to learn the location of features that share a particular attribute
     
  3. Comparing geographic patterns and information between different map views
     
  4. Zooming to a larger scale to view a smaller area in greater detail
     
  5. Interpreting map patterns
     
  6. Understanding the difference between maps of total population and population density

• How to use the concept of geographic regions as an organizing principle for world geography, including:

  1. Identifying the locations of the world regions
     

  2. Identifying major states (countries) for each region
     
  3. Obtaining summary statistics for all the states of a region
     
  4. Recognizing demographic similarities and differences within regions

Setup

In your browser, open the mapping program URL: http://geogserver1.fullerton.edu/webmaps/realmsjava_2/realms.html
If two maps fail to appear, try the alternate site http://geography.fullerton.edu/webmaps/realmsjava_1/realms.html
When the map appears, resize the browser window to make the scroll bars disappear. Note: your browser must be Java-enabled for the program to work properly.

Selecting Features by Location

Once the twin world maps appear, you can highlight individual states (countries) and obtain information about them by pointing and clicking with the mouse.

• Click on any state in the left map window. Notice that its name, region, and population information appear beneath the map.

Querying the Database

Another way to extract information from a GIS is to enter a search criterion and query the database. Features in the database that match your query will be highlighted on the map. Some queries will only find one feature:

• Press the Countries button in the left map window to bring up the list of query items
  

• Scroll down and select India as the state to map
  
• Press OK

India should appear highlighted in yellow on the map with its name and data shown in the space below the map.

• Use the Scantron form to respond to the numbered questions below:

  1. What region does India belong to?

a. Europe	b. East Asia
c. South Asia	d. Southeast Asia

2. What is its approximate population?

a. 10 million	b. 100 million
c. 1000 million (1 billion)	d. 10 billion

• Before continuing, press the Reset buttons to clear the maps

Other queries will find more than one state:

• Press the Regions button in the left map window
  

• Select South Asia and press OK

The states with the largest populations should appear highlighted on the map. Summary information about the world's largest countries should appear below the map.

3. How many states are selected?

a. 1	b. 2
c. 6	d. 10

4. What is their approximate combined total population?

a. 500 million	b. 1.3 billion (1,300 million)
c. 1.8 billion	d. 2.0 billion

• Before continuing, press the Reset buttons to clear the maps

Map Comparisons

When interpreting map patterns, you have to keep in mind that a large area does not necessarily equate to a large population.

• Press the Regions button in the left map window to bring up the list of query items
  

• Select North Africa/Southwest Asia as the state to map
  
• Press the Regions button in the right map window to bring up the list of query items
  
• Select South Asia as the region to map

Compare the maps and data:

5. Which comparison is correct?

a. South Asia has the larger area and larger population

b. South Asia has the larger area, North Africa/SW Asia has the larger population

c. North Africa/SW Asia has the larger area, South Asia has the larger population

d. North Africa/SW Asia has the larger area and larger population

We use the concept of population density to provide a standard of comparison between two sets of countries that have different areas. We calculate population density by dividing the total population by the total area. This result tells us the average number of people per each unit of area (such as each square mile). Look at the data displayed in the two info boxes:

6. What is the approximate average density of North Africa/Southwest Asia?

a. 6 persons per square mile	b. 60 persons per square mile
c. 600 persons per square mile	d. 6,000 persons per square mile

7. What is the approximate average density of South Asia?

a. 8 persons per square mile	b. 80 persons per square mile
c. 800 persons per square mile	d. 8,000 persons per square mile

• Before continuing, press the Reset buttons to clear the maps

Identifying Major States in Each Region

Many of the regions are dominated by one or two large states; others have no one state that dominates their land area. Use the GIS to identify the names and areas of the larger states of each region:

• Press the Regions button in the right map window
  

• Select North America
  
• Click on the large states that comprise North America until you find the one with the largest area.

  8. What is its name?

a. U.S.	b. Canada
c. Mexico	d. Brazil

Repeat the process for each of the following regions. Your goal is to highlight each region and identify the name of the largest country in that region. As you work through the regions, pay attention to the size differences between the large and small states of each region. Note: you may have to press the Zoom button and zoom in on a region for a better view.
 
9. Middle America

a. Guatemala	b. Mexico
c. Nicaragua	d. Cuba

10. South America

a. Argentina	b. Chile
c. Brazil	d. Venezuela

11. East Asia

a. China	b. Japan
c. South Korea	d. North Korea

12. South Asia

a. Pakistan	b. Bangladesh
c. Nepal	d. India

• Before continuing, press the Reset buttons to clear the maps

Mapping Population

Population maps can be very misleading if we fail to control for the different areas of the individual states. Let's compare a map of total population with a map of population density:

• Press the Maps button in the left map window to bring up a list of maps from the map atlas
  

• Select Population Total
  
• Select All Levels

Russia appears as a large area of dark blue-green across the upper right of the map. The map seems to suggest that there are a large number of people spread across the area of Russia.

• Press the Maps button in the right map window to bring up a list of maps from the map atlas
  

• Select Population Density
  
• Select All Levels

Now Russia appears as a large area of light green. This implies that the area occupied by Russia does not have very many people compared with other areas of the world. Which is the less misleading view? The second one! The large population of Russia is spread thinly across a huge area of the earth's surface. Click on Russia and answer the following question:

13. What is the approximate population density of Russia?

a. 25 persons per square mile	b. 50 persons per square mile
c. 100 persons per square mile	d. 500 persons per square mile

• Before continuing, press the Reset buttons to clear the maps

Small Countries with High Population Densities

Europe is one area where the individual countries tend to have high population densities but only low to moderate total population. Before we consider this further, we should zoom in on Europe since it is difficult to see the details when viewing the map at a world-wide scale.

• Press the Zoom button in left map window
  

• Select Europe as the region to zoom in on

The maps show that Europe consists of a large number of fairly small states. Because of their small area, those states have only low to moderate total populations. However, taken as a group, the region has a large population living at high to very high population densities.

To confirm that interpretation:

• Press the Regions button in the left map window
  

• Select Europe

  14. What is the approximate total population of Europe?

a. Less than 60 million	b. 100 million
c. 200 million	d. Almost 600 million

15. What is the approximate population density of Europe?

a. 25 persons per square mile	b. 100 persons per square mile
c. 250 persons per square mile	d. 500 persons per square mile

• Before continuing, press the Reset buttons to clear the maps

Mapping Change

We usually think of maps as providing snapshot views of the world at a specific point in time. However, by mapping rates of change, we can use maps to view change over time.

To explore this idea, bring up the world maps of population density in the left window population growth in the right window:

• Press the Maps button in the left map window
  

• Select Population Density
  
• Select All Levels
  
• Press the Maps button in the right map window
  
• Select Population Growth
  
• Select All Levels

Compare Europe and Southeast Asia. They both show high population densities, but Southeast Asia appears to have higher growth rates.

Let's confirm this interpretation by looking at the summary statistics for Europe and Southeast Asia:

• Press the Regions button in the left map window
  

• Select Europe
  
• Press the Zoom button in the left map window
  
• Select Europe
  
• Press the Regions button in the right map window
  
• Select Southeast Asia
  
• Press the Zoom button in the right map window
  
• Select Southeast Asia

Note that the current population densities are approximately the same, but not the total population and average growth rates.

16. Which comparison is correct?

a. Europe has a larger population and a higher growth rate

b. Europe has a larger population but Southeast Asia has a higher growth rate

c. Southeast Asia has a larger population but Europe has a higher growth rate

d. Southeast Asia has a larger population and a higher growth rate

17. If current growth rates continue, which region do you expect to have a larger population in the future?

a. Europe

b. Southeast Asia

At current rates of increase, it will take less than 10 years for Southeast Asia's population to become greater than Europe's.

• Before continuing, press the Reset buttons to clear the maps

Exploring Similarities and Differences

The concept of Regions provides a useful organizing tool for Global Geography. The states that make up each region share geographic proximity and some degree of common history and culture. However, we want to be careful not to think of the countries of a region as being identical in all respects.

To explore this idea further, let's bring up the Population Density map and zoom in on South America.

• Press the Maps button in the left map window
  

• Select Population Density
  
• Select All Levels
  
• Press the Zoom button in the left map window
  
• Select South America

  18. How many different population density categories appear on the map?

a. 1	b. 2
c. 3	d. 4

Can you safely identify any one population density level that describes "South America" as a whole? Probably not.

Review Questions. Try to answer the following review questions without looking back at your answers or at the computer. If you don't remember, then look back to find the answers.

• Are the states that make up each individual region scattered across the earth or clustered in one area?

• Which regions have one or two states that are much larger than the others states in the region?

• Which two individual states have the largest population totals among all the world's states?

• What region does India belong to?

• What region does China belong to?

• How do we calculate population density? Give an example of one state that has a low population density even though it has a large population. Why is this?

• Which has a higher total population - the six states of the South Asia region or the 38 states that make up the North Africa/Southwest Asia region?

• How are total population and population density likely to change in Europe and Southeast Asia over the next 15 years?

• When you zoom in on a map, will you see more or less detail?

Exit the GIS Program

When you are finished:

• Close your browser to exit the GIS program

Be sure to put you name on the completed Scantron form and hand it in to the lab instructor. Keep the activity questions.