Haitian Earthquake: A Comparative Analysis

Contemporary society equates education with success. The more one knows, the more opportunities one will have. An ever expanding globalized economy requires much more than an elementary comprehension of mathematics, history, the sciences, and language arts-- it requires a working knowledge of the world and its cultures. Schools across the country use an introductory study of geography to familiarize students with the world around them and how it functions. Defined, geography is “the study of spatial variation, of how and why things differ from place to place on the surface of the earth… the study of of how observable spatial patterns evolved through time” (Getis, Bejelland, & Getis, 2014, p. 3). Presenting a macro view of the world and its
Following the explanation, the authors examine geography and its definition. Geography is concerned not only with physical locations, but also with people and cultures (Getis et al., 2014). The discipline does not simply study points on a map of the distance between two cities; it seeks to uncover the science behind the natural and human realms and describe it a set of relationships and sequences (Getis et al.). Consider a statement the authors make on the dual nature of geography “the content of an area has both physical and cultural aspects, and geography is always concerned with understanding both” (Getis et al., 2014, p. 3). In much the same way that simple anatomy prepares a surgeon for surgery, place locations prepare students for the understanding of geography’s more sophisticated concepts (Getis et
Geographically speaking, connectivity occurs when any type of medium connects two or more places (Getis et al.) Various types of regions hold a critical position in contemporary society (Getis et al., 2014). Formal regions are large areas with similar characteristics (Getis et al.). Administrative regions are the types of regions found on political maps and similar diagrams (Getis et al.). Perceptual regions are cultural constructs that categorize people and places based on culture. Functional regions are not necessarily geographic or cultural; they represent areas connected by some activity (such as trade) or medium (such as fiber optic communication) (Getis et