Arthur Getis,
San Diego State University Judith Getis Jerome D. Fellmann,
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
ISBN: 0072826851 Copyright year: 2006
New to this Edition
In response to suggestions from reviewers of past editions, we altered the ordering of the chapters. The Geography of Natural Resources is now Chapter 5, in Part I, the Earth Science Tradition. Urban Geography has become Chapter 11. Human Impact on the Environment is now Chapter 12, detailing how all the processes, both physical and human, discussed in earlier chapters affect our planet.
All of the world maps have been put on the Robinson projection, which was designed to show the world in a visually satisfactory manner. It permits some exaggeration of size in the high latitudes in order to improve the shapes of landmasses. Size and shape are most accurate in the temperate and tropical zones, where most people live.
The colors on the maps were chosen specifically in order to accommodate colorblind readers. Most of them should be able to distinguish the hues from one another.
As with each new edition, we have added and deleted materials to reflect new research findings in the different topical areas of geography and the spatial consequences of continuing changes in established economic, political, social, and environmental structures and relationships. In addition to the necessary chapter revisions and updating of facts, analyses, and viewpoints mandated by current events, we have made every effort to incorporate in this revision many of the helpful suggestions offered by users. Nearly every chapter contains at least brief text additions or modifications, and four have been altered significantly.
In response to reviewers who over the years have suggested that the topic of map projections is not appropriate for their students, we have moved most of that material to the new Appendix 1. In recognition of the increasing role of the Global Positioning System in our lives, an earlier boxed discussion was made part of the regular text and expanded upon. The chapter ends with a new section, "Applications of Geographic Information Systems."
Chapter 4, Weather and Climate, concludes with a significantly revised and lengthened discussion of climatic change, with long-term climate changes, short-term climate changes, and the greenhouse effect and global warming as subtopics.
Extensive text changes in Chapter 10, Economic Geography, include addition of material on food resources and nutrition; a new section on "Expanding Crop Production" with revised "Intensification and the Green Revolution" material; and a consideration of fishing as a primary economic activity. The section on "Trade in Primary Products" was completely revised.
Changes to Chapter 11, Urban Geography, involved a reorganization and revision of the section "Systems of Urban Settlements" and the addition of a new boxed discussion, "Women in the City." The chapter ends with a new section "Cities in the Developing World."
Every table and figure has been reviewed for accuracy and currency and has been replaced, updated, or otherwise revised where necessary.
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2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education