• analyze data from a geographic perspective using the skills and tools of geography.

    • Apply geographic information to support analysis from primary and secondary sources located in a variety of texts.

    • Describe how various map projections distort the surface of the earth; apply the concepts of scale, distance, direction, relative location, absolute location, and latitude and longitude.

    • Integrate visual information, draw conclusions, and make predictions from geographic data and analyze spatial distribution and patterns by interpreting that data as displayed on geographic tools.

    • Integrate visual information and develop the skill of mental mapping of the political and physical features of Earth’s surface in order to organize information about people, places, and environments.

    • Describe and analyze the role of geographic factors on current events and issues.

  • analyze the physical systems of the major regions of the Western Hemisphere.

    • Use visual information to identify and describe on a physical map the landforms, bodies of water, climate, and vegetation zones that are important to each region.

    • Explain how the processes and factors of latitude, elevation, Earth-Sun relationships, prevailing winds, and proximity to bodies of water influence climate.

    • Describe the predominant natural resources found in each region.

    • Describe the relationship and summarize the impact of the distribution of major renewable and nonrenewable resources on each region.

  • identify the characteristics, distribution, and demographic patterns of human populations and systems of the Western Hemisphere.

    • Identify on a political map the major countries and population centers of each region.

    • Identify and describe cultural traits of language, ethnic heritage, religion, and traditions practiced among peoples.

    • Analyze the impact of geography on population distribution, growth, and change, applying geographic concepts of population density, the availability of resources.

    • Describe how the push and pull factors of migration have affected settlement patterns and the human characteristics of places over time.

    • Compare the systems of government, including representative governments (democracy, republic, constitutional monarchy) and authoritarian systems (dictatorship, absolute monarchy).

    • Identify the role of the citizen in the selection of government officials and lawmaking; compare individual liberties under different forms of government.

    • Identify and explain topics related to indigenous sovereignty.

    • Evaluate how the three levels of economic activities (primary, secondary, tertiary) contribute to the development of a nation and region.

    • Describe benefits and limitations of the traditional, market, and command economic systems, including how government policies affect economic activities and trade relationships.

    • Identify the common characteristics of developed and developing countries, including the impact of education and technology; analyze data used by geographers such as literacy rate, life expectancy, per capita income, and infant mortality.

  • analyze the interactions of humans and their environment in the Western Hemisphere.

    • Describe the commercial agriculture and industrial regions that support human development.

    • Evaluate the effects of human modification on the natural environment through transformation caused by subsistence and commercial agriculture, industry, demand for energy, and urbanization.

    • Analyze the impact of climate and natural disasters on human populations, including forced migration, scarcity of consumer goods, economic activities, and loss of life.

    • Analyze environmental challenges of each region.

    • Evaluate the role of ecotourism in creating environmental awareness of resources, climate, cultures, and wildlife.

    • Describe the role of citizens as responsible stewards of natural resources and the environment.

  • compare common physical and human characteristics of regions which create identity or uniqueness and influence people’s perceptions of the Western Hemisphere.

    • Define the concept of region and identify the major political, physical, cultural, and economic regions.

    • Explain how cultural diffusion, both voluntary and forced, impacts societies of a region.

    • Describe patterns of global economic interdependence and trade, including the concepts of balance of trade and supply and demand; compare measures of economic growth including Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Gross National Product (GNP).

    • Analyze global interdependence which explains the outsourcing of technological and manufacturing jobs to developing regions.

    • Analyze reasons for conflict and cooperation among and between groups, societies, nations, and regions.