AP Human Geography - Unit 5 Overview

Introduction

• Unit 5 focuses on AP Human Geography.
• Highlights the diversity experienced when traveling globally or locally:
  • Different cultures, religions, languages, and dialects.
  • Various agricultural products influenced by local climates.

Agricultural Products and Climates

• Tropical Climates (e.g., Indonesia, countries near the equator):
  • Coffee, sugar, pineapple.
• Subtropical Climates (e.g., West Indies, parts of Indonesia):
  • Rice, cotton, tobacco.
• Grasslands and Continental Steppes (e.g., Mongolia, Western USA, Northern Africa):
  • Cattle, sheep, goats, horses, camels.
• Mediterranean Climates (e.g., California, Chile, Mediterranean Sea region):
  • Grapes, olives, dates.
• Warm Mid-Latitude Climates (e.g., Southern China, Southern USA):
  • Vegetables, fruits, rice.
• Cold Mid-Latitude Climates (e.g., North Central USA, Southern Canada, Eastern Europe):
  • Wheat, barley, livestock, dairy cows.
• Agricultural products vary due to distinct physical features, climate, growing seasons, arable land, and water access.

Technological Advancements in Agriculture

• Reduction in food production barriers through technology:
  • Fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides for increased crop yield.
  • Genetic modification for faster, larger growth in non-native environments.
  • New farming methods: greenhouses, vertical farming, community gardens.
  • Advancements in irrigation, GPS, GIS for better crop management.

Environmental Possibilism

• Contrasts with Thomas Malthus's idea of arithmetic food production growth.
• Environmental possibilism allows for increased agricultural production.

Types of Agricultural Practices

Intensive Agricultural Practices

• Require less land but more capital and labor.
• Located closer to population centers.
• High yield focus, variety includes:
  • Plantation Agriculture:
    • Located in tropical climates, often in periphery countries and former colonies.
    • Cash crops (e.g., coffee, sugar, tobacco, tea).
    • Economic and developmental issues around cash crop focus and export.
  • Mixed Crop and Livestock Agriculture:
    • Found in more developed countries.
    • Crops like corn and soybeans for livestock feed, leading to eventual market sale.
  • Market Gardening (Truck Farming):
    • In areas with long growing seasons (e.g., Southeastern USA).
    • Fresh fruits and vegetables harvested by migrant labor; processed for market sale.

Extensive Agricultural Practices

• Use less labor and capital, require more land.
• Lower yield crops, traditionally farther from population centers.
• Types include:
  • Shifting Cultivation:
    • Located in tropical climates (Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia).
    • Land cycle: clear, plant, leave fallow for nutrient recovery.
  • Nomadic Herding:
    • Central and Southwest Asia, Northern Africa.
    • Movement with herds due to unsuitable farming conditions, nomadic lifestyle.
  • Ranching:
    • Suitable for less ideal farming land, typically distant from urban centers.
    • Economically viable due to cheaper land costs.

Conclusion

• Encourages geographers to engage with review questions and resources.
• Promote additional resources for academic success in AP Human Geography.