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Cultural Landscape, The: An Introduction to Human Geography, 13th edition

Published by Pearson (February 18, 2019) © 2020

  • James M. Rubenstein Miami University of Ohio

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For courses in human geography.

Global issues, local impacts

The Cultural Landscape: An Introduction to Human Geography uses a structured learning path to explore the patterns and processes of Earth's human landscapes. Rubenstein weaves the themes of globalization and diversity and their relationship throughout the text, addressing these themes with a clear organization and presentation that engages students and appeals to instructors.

The 13th Edition incorporates the latest data and applied examples of human geography, helps students connect global concepts and phenomena to their local geographies, and engages them in active debate around the most critical topics of human geography.

Hallmark features of this title

  • Doing Geography and What's Your Geography discuss geographic tools, techniques and skills used to address real-world problems and ask students to apply geographic skills and techniques to real-world experiences and environments.
  • Debate It presents 2 sides of a complex topic to engage students in active debate around critical topics of human geography today.
  • Sustainability & Our Environment relates the principal topics of human geography to overarching issues of economic, social, and environmental sustainability of our planet.
  • Structured learning path guides students through visually engaging content with Chapter Openers, Four Key issues, Pause and Reflect questions, Learning Outcomes, Summary & Review and End-of-Chapter material.

New and updated features of this title

  • Writing Geographically is a multi-part essay question based on chapter material that includes reference to maps or other illustrations.
  • Data Visualization powered by Social Explorer appears for every key issue and enables students to connect to concepts by engaging with various story maps, predictive graphs, interactive charts, and other interactive media. These will also be accessible via Mastering Geography and the Pearson eText.
  • Geospatial Data Analysis activities leverage GIS-inspired MapMaster 2.0 in Mastering Geography, allowing students to create maps and analyze spatial patterns and data at regional and global scales.
  • UPDATED: The latest science, statistics and associated imagery throughout reflect the latest data and applied examples of human geography. Examples include recent US elections, gerrymandering decisions pending in the US Supreme Court, the Rohingya refugee crisis in Myanmar and more.
  • UPDATED: GIS and spatial analysis examples, interwoven throughout the text, spotlight the currency and professional relevance of geographic applications.
  • UPDATED: Cartography provides thoroughly updated maps, optimized for maximum accuracy and clear presentation of current data. New projections are used with fewer distortions. New cartograms and other graphic devices have also been added.

Features of Mastering Geography for the 13th Edition

  • Data Visualization powered by Social Explorer appears for every key issue and enables students to connect to concepts by engaging with various story maps, predictive graphs, interactive charts, and other interactive media.
  • GeoVideo activities integrate BBC videos at the end of chapters, encouraging students to log into Mastering Geography to view the videos and answer questions.
  • MapMaster 2.0 Interactive Map Activities. inspired by GIS, allow students to layer various thematic maps to analyze spatial patterns and data at regional and global scales. This tool allows students to geolocate themselves in the data and upload their own data for map making.
  • Mobile Field Trip videos from Michael Collier give students an avenue for exploring US landscapes and the major themes of physical geoscience concepts.
  • Google Earthâ„¢ Virtual Tour videos give students brief narrated spatial explorations of places and people around the world, covering critical themes such as globalization and sustainability.
  • UPDATED: GeoTutor Activities help students master the most challenging geography concepts with highly visual, kinesthetic activities focused on critical thinking, data analysis and the application of concepts.

Features of Pearson eText for the 13th Edition

  • Place-based Learning empowers students to explore the real world with links to online Google Mapsâ„¢ that connect students to dynamic web maps supported by community-contributed photos and introduce them to Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI).

1. This Is Geography

  • 1.1 Why Is Geography a Science?
  • 1.2 Why Is Every Place Unique?
  • 1.3 Why Are Different Places Similar?
  • 1.4 Why Are Some Actions Not Sustainable?

2. Population & Health

  • 2.1 Where Are People Distributed?
  • 2.2 Why is Population Increasing?
  • 2.3 Why Does Health Vary by Region?
  • 2.4 Why Might Population Change in the Future?

3. Migration

  • 3.1 Where Are Migrants Distributed?
  • 3.2 Where Do People Migrate Within Countries?
  • 3.3 Why Do People Migrate?
  • 3.4 Why Do Migrants Face Challenges?

4. Culture & Social Media

  • 4.1 Where Are Culture Groups Distributed?
  • 4.2 Where Are Leisure & Material Culture Distributed?
  • 4.3 Why Is Access to Culture Unequal?
  • 4.4 Why Do Cultures Face Sustainability Challenges?

5. Languages

  • 5.1 Where Are Languages Distributed?
  • 5.2 Why Do Languages Diffuse?
  • 5.3 Why Do Languages Vary Among Places?
  • 5.4 Why Do Languages Survive or Perish?

6. Religions

  • 6.1 Where Are Religions Distributed?
  • 6.2 Why Do Religions Have Distinctive Distributions?
  • 6.3 Why Do Religions Organize Space in Specific Patterns?
  • 6.4 Why Do Territorial Conflicts Arise Among Religious Groups?

7. Ethnicities

  • 7.1 Where Are Ethnicities Distributed?
  • 7.2 Why Do Ethnicities Have Distinctive Distributions?
  • 7.3 Why Might Ethnicities Face Conflicts?
  • 7.4 Why Do Ethnic Cleansing & Genocide Occur?

8. Political Geography

  • 8.1 Where Are States Distributed?
  • 8.2 Why Are States Challenging to Create?
  • 8.3 Why Do States Face Threats?
  • 8.4 Why Do States Have Distinctive Geographic Structure?

9. Food & Agriculture

  • 9.1 Why Do People Consume Different Foods?
  • 9.2 Where Did Agriculture Originate?
  • 9.3 Where Is Agriculture Distributed?
  • 9.4 Why Do Farmers Face Sustainability Challenges?

10. Development

  • 10.1 Why Does Development Vary Among Countries?
  • 10.2 Where Are Inequalities in Development Distributed?
  • 10.3 Why Do Countries Face Development Challenges?
  • 10.4 Why Are Countries Able to Make Progress in Development?

11. Industry & Energy

  • 11.1 Where Is Industry Distributed?
  • 11.2 Why Do Industries Face Energy Challenges?
  • 11.3 Why Do Industries Face Pollution Challenges?
  • 11.4 Why Are Industries Changing Locations?

12. Services & Settlements

  • 12.1 Where Are Services Distributed?
  • 12.2 Where Are Consumer Services Distributed?
  • 12.3 Where Are Business Services Distributed?
  • 12.4 Why Do Services Cluster in Settlements?

13. Urban Patterns

  • 13.1 Why Are Cities Challenging to Define?
  • 13.2 Where Are People Distributed in Urban Areas?
  • 13.3 Why Do Urban Areas Expand?
  • 13.4 Why Might Cities Be More Sustainable?
  • Summary & Review
  • Afterword: Careers in Geography
  • Appendix: Map Scale and Projections
  • Glossary
  • Credits
  • Map Index

About our author

Dr. James M. Rubenstein received his B.A. from the University of Chicago in 1970, M.Sc. from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 1971, and Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University in 1975. He is Professor of Geography at Miami University, where he teaches urban and human geography. Dr. Rubenstein also conducts research in the automotive industry and has published three books on the subject: The Changing U.S. Auto Industry: A Geographical Analysis (Routledge); Making and Selling Cars: Innovation and Change in the U.S. Auto Industry (The Johns Hopkins University Press); and Who Really Made Your Car? Restructuring and Geographic Change in the Auto Industry (W.E. Upjohn Institute, with Thomas Klier). Dr. Rubenstein is also the author of Contemporary Human Geography, as well as Introduction to Contemporary Geography. He also writes a weekly column about local food for the Oxford Press. Winston, a lab-husky mix with one brown eye and one blue eye, takes Dr. Rubenstein for long walks in the woods every day. Thanks to Ursula Roma for the photo.

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