INTRODUCTION TO GEOGRAPHY

TOPIC 2-CLOSES AND MASS: REPRESENTATIONS OF THE WORLD

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

Using a geographic information system (GIS) is one of the best ways to appreciate how the development of information technology has revolutionized our ability to understand and visualize spatial relationships and to use this knowledge to tackle fundamental problems. GIS are awesome tools of geographic enquiry and exploration. Dense use the GIS resources listed in the Topic 2 Summary document for more information. In this exercise, you have the opportunity to engage with important socio-economic and demographic issues in the United States by exploring spatial patterns and relationships that reflect and often reinforce them. You may be startled by the results.

Open your trusty Web browser and go to at least one of the risible options below. Complete the guidelines for that option and prepare a paper that summarizes your research and your experience with the GIS took. Don't forget to discuss how using the GIS enhanced your understanding of important issues in the United States. Some browsers may not always cooperate with a web-based GIS because of the graphics and security setting. If the GIS fails to load or function properly, check your settings, try a different browser, or switch to a different computer. These online GIS are dynamic and the information and viewing options may change as new data sets become available. Inhere ere changes; please just adapt my directions below to the new data and other options.

Provide a proper citation for all sources including the web-based GIS that you used. You may incorporate information from other relevant sources to expand and strengthen your paper.

OPTION 1-Htin0e0 IN THE UNITED STAPES

Did you know that I in 6 Americans goes hungry? That statistic is possibly worse than the rate of hunger in Chins (rev example see htlp://www.reallup.comreolV160068/Chinese-Struggling-Less¬Americans-Afford-dasics.asox). We are the largest economy on earth with the third largest population and a highly productive and diligent workforce, but we have one attic most unequal wealth diratibutions end highest rate of poverty in the rid "developed" world.

Go to the "Map the Meal Gap" online GIS (rereMfeedingamerica.orrehunver-iwomericaluover-studieOmap-the-meal-vapcspre. If the hotlink dos not work properly, copy Me sire address into your browser. This map is hosted by "Feeding America." an organization that calls attention to hunger and related socio-economic disparities in the US. On your screen, you see a rasp of Me US showing data about food insecurity.

By manipulating the buttons in the center of the screen above the map, you can switch the data layer between "Overall" and "Child" food insecurity rates. Note the differences.

You can also choose between three years of dam (2012 to 2014).

For additional background, you should read the links "Hunger Facts," Hunger in Your Community," and "Impact of Hunger" in the upper left of the map.

You can also examine how the organization made the map, and why, by reviewing the links beneath the "Map the Meal Gap" main link to the upper left of the map.

As you mouse over the US map, you will see a pop-up window with a wealth of information about food insecurity for each state.

Choose one state to explore in more detail and click on it. The map will change to a more detailed scale of your chosen state, showing the individual counties. You can now explore the differences between the counties in your chosen state, as you did for the entire US.

In your paper, please respond to the following questions.

1. What did you observe about the general spatial patterns of food insecurity in the United States on the main map? Do particular parts of the United States have more food insecurity than other part? What do you think about this?

2. What state did you choose to examine? Why did you choose this state?

3. What patterns did you detect in the "overall" and "child" food insecurity rates in the state? Are there difference and/or similarities?

4. In what way did the spatial patterns of food insecurity change over time in your state from 2009 to 2012? What might these changes suggest in terms of food insecurity in your state? What do you think about this?

5. At the end or your paper, include at least one image of your state from the GIS. You may use multiple images to illustrate your discussion for Question 4 above.

If you are particularly interested in this topic, you may compare two states for extra credit. Please make sure that your discussion clearly presents the fact that you examined two states.