Blog Post 9

Today in class we discussed how different places can have the same toponym, and that we have to be specific in describing these places so we are aware of which one we are talking about.  Also, we did an exercise that challenged us with the task of picking settlement locations based on site and situation observations.

LO1: Define place, location, toponym, site, situation

• A place is something that refers to the physical aspects of the location
• A location is a particular place or position
• A toponym is the name of the place
• The description of the features of a place is a site
• The environmental conditions of a place is its situation

LO2: Identify and describe the 3 ways human geographers describe location 

The 3 ways that geographers describe locations are through longitude and latitude, describing the location through other locations relative to it, and by describing the location by its site and situation.

1650 map choice 

Location E as the best location because

• It has a mountain to the north protecting it from attacks
• close to ocean and river for fish and water
• close to farmland for more food 
• has sandbars protecting it from sea attack

I did not chose any other location because

• Location B has no fresh water near by + it is not protected from attacks
• Location C has nothing protecting it from attack
• Location D has no farmland or ocean for a source of food
• Location A is very prone to attack, has no farmland, and no fresh water

1830 map choice

Location A was the best location because

• It has. a waterfall near by that can be harnessed for power
• Plenty of rivers to provide fresh water
• Swampland to provide fish for food and protection

I did not chose any other location because

• Location B has no food source or protection
• Location C has no protection, fresh water source, or power source 
• Location D has no fresh water source or power source  

1880 map choice

Location C was the best choice beacuse 

• It is accessible to railroads
• Has access to coal
• Has access to fish from the sea
• Has access to good farm land
• Does not have to worry about a water source because of technology of the time

I did not chose any other location because

• Location D is harder to access by railroad (further away than C)
• Location E has no coal or farmland
• Location B has no access to coal or farmland.  It is also very hard to get railroad access because of the mountians
• Location A is hard to access by railroad and has no farmland