People, Places and Environments Picture Point

What a beautiful, picture worthy world in which we live. Learn about the geography as well as the people's place in the world in this section that takes you all over the globe.

THE WORLD IN SPATIAL TERMS

Maps
Learn to use various map forms (including thematic maps) and other geographic representations, tools, and technologies to acquire, process, and report geographic information including patterns of land use, connections between places, and patterns and processes of migration and diffusion.

Divisions of Earth
Learn the social, political, and economic divisions on Earth's surface.

Factors Influencing Perceptions
Learn how factors such as culture and technology influence the perception of places and regions.

Changes in Spatial Organization
Learn ways in which the spatial organization of a society changes over time.

Interconnectivity of Regional Systems
Learn ways in which regional systems are interconnected.

Communication and Transportation
Learn the spatial aspects of communication and transportation systems.

INTERACTIONS

Migration and Diffusion
Learn the patterns and processes of migration and diffusion throughout the world.

Human and Physical Interactions
Learn the human and physical characteristics of different places in the world and how these characteristics change over time.

Influences of Culture
Learn how cultures differ in their use of similar environments and resources.

Shifting Settlement Forms
Learn how the landscape and society change as a consequence of shifting from a dispersed to a concentrated settlement form.

Geographical Factors and Cohesiveness/Integration
Learn about the geographical factors that affect the cohesiveness and integration of countries.

Environmental Consequences
Learn about the environmental consequences of people changing the physical environment in various world locations.

Development of Human Systems
Learn how various human systems throughout the world have developed in response to conditions in the physical environment.

Resource Distribution and Utilization
Learn about world patterns of resource distribution and utilization.

Affecting Conditions of Earth
Learn how the interaction between physical and human systems affects current conditions on Earth.

Social Studies/People, Places and Environments

Standard 1: The student understands the world in spatial terms (SS.B.1.3).

Standard 2: The student understands the interactions of people and the physical environment (SS.B.2.3).

The CIA Factbook This is an excellent site and includes comprehensive information about the world in which we live. Included is a country listing where you can see a map of each country as well as facts such as its geography, people, government, economy, communications, transportation, military and transitional issues. This site also includes a history of the world factbook and much more.

Population Reference Bureau Students can take a look at U.S. and international population trends.

Earth from Above on the Web See the world! Beautiful aerial photographs of our planet's many faces. Photographed by French photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand.

Anthropology Web Sites This hotlist includes cultural/physical anthropology and geography of Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, Mediterranean, Middle East, North America, & Oceania.

Geography.About.com Students can find a wide variety of geography facts and links on this site.

Your Nation On this site you can "discover just how different the world is." You can compare specified nations and rank nations by specified data (e.g. airports, total land area).

Xpeditions From National Geographic, this website provides students with an atlas, discussion forums, blue ribbon geography website links, U.S. geography standards, activities, lesson plans and an interactive learning museum.

United Nations CyberSchoolBus This website includes an introduction to the United Nations, information about U.N. Treaties as well as countries at a glance and city information. It includes resources, curriculum, activities and quizzes.

The Quest Channel "Join quest interactive expeditions and travel with a team of experts, adventurers and students to solve great mysteries--around the world!"--The Quest Channel

National Geography Bee Official site of the U.S. National Geography Bee.

MapQuest MapQuest includes maps, driving directions and roadtrip planners as well as aerial photos and more.

American Fact Finder "Your source for population, housing, economic and geographic data."--U.S. Census Bureau

Six Paths to China Created by Tom March, this website is a highly interactive exploration into the world of China. This site includes a webquest and several other internet-based activities.

Searching for China  In this webquest, students are assigned a role (business investor, museum curator, religeous leader, human rights activist, environmental activist and U.S. Senator) and asked to "travel" to China to investigate the country, the people and its culture and answer the question: "What actions should the U.S. take in its policy towards China?"

About Australia This website includes facts about Australia as well as information lifestyle and more.

The Art of Tibet Learn about the culture of Tibet through art. This website catalogs and displays Himalayan and Tibetan art from collections around the world. Works include paintings, sculpture, block prints, initiation cards and murals.