World Geography Unit 1. What is Geography? The study of the distribution and interaction of physical...

World GeographyUnit 1

What is Geography?

• The study of the distribution and interaction of physical and human features on the earth.

Geography Today

• Satellites

• Landsat – series of satellites that orbit more than 100 miles above the earth. Picks up data as it orbits the earth.

GIS

• Geographic Information Systems- – Database of geographic information used to solve

problems.– Includes satellite images – GPS?

How do you make maps?

• Cartographer- Mapmaker

• Surveying- Field Survey

Maps & Globes

• Globe – Is the three-dimensional representation of the earth

Maps – Are two-dimensional representations of selected parts of the earth’s surface.

Map Projection – is a way of drawing the earth’s surface that reduces distortion caused by representing a round earth on a flat paper.

Scale• Large Scale - used when maps show a smaller

area but with more detail.

• Small Scale – Used to show large areas but without much detail.

Reading Maps

• Compass Rose?• Legend – lists and explains the use of color on the

map.• Lines of latitude tell the distance north and south

of the Equator.• Lines of longitude tell distance east and west of the

Prime Meridian.• Scale - ratio between a unit of length on the map

and a unit of distance on the earth.

Special Lines of latitude

• 0 degrees – Equator • 23 ½ degrees north – Tropic of Cancer• 23 ½ degrees south – Tropic of Capricorn • 66 ½ degrees north – Arctic Circle • 66 ½ degrees south – Antarctic Circle

Lines of Longitude• Prime Meridian – 0 degrees

Often called the international date line on the other side of the world

Every 15 ˚ east or west is equal to 1 hour.

Location…Location…Location

• Absolute location – the exact place on earth where a geographic feature is. (Latitude, Longitude)

• Example – City.

• Relative location – describes a place in comparison to other places around it.

Practice finding locations!!!!

Mental Maps

• A Mental Map is a map that is in your mind.

Map Distortion

• Any time you stretch a round surface into a flat one the picture on it will become Distorted!!!!!

• 2 volunteers!

Distorted at the poles and somewhat compressed near the equator.

•Useful as marine navigation charts.

Is the projection most commonly used in text books!!!

Polar Projection

Shows exactly ½ of the Earth

Helpful for Airplane pilots.

Using Different Types of Maps

• Physical Maps - help you see the types of landforms and bodies of water found in a specific area.

• Political Maps - show features on the earth surface that humans created (cities, states, provinces, territories, or countries).

• When would you need each type of map?

Thematic maps

• All of these maps focus on specific types of information!!– Climate– Vegetation – Natural Resources– Population density and distribution – Economic activities– Language – Ethnicity – Precipitation – Vegetation

Population Distribution and Density: Density - How many people per sq. mi. or km. Distribution - Pattern of where people live

Economic Activity: shows what people do for a living

Resource: Shows Natural Resources

Language: Tells where in the world languages are spoken.

Ethnicity: Shows where in the world different races or ethnicities are located.

Climate: Will tell how what the weather is like over a period of time in a certain area.

Precipitation: Shows how much precipitation falls in the mapped area.

Vegetation: Shows types of vegetation……ex Trees.

Qualitative Maps

Qualitative Maps – use colors, symbols, dots, or lines to help you see patterns related to a specific idea.

CartogramsEach country is drawn in proportion to the data rather than land size

Flow-Line Maps•Illustrate movement of people, goods, ideas, animals, or even glaciers.

•Usually over a set period of time

Reasons Why maps change

Knowledge:

Map of Columbus’ time

•Satellite Images

Place Names:

Formosa, Taiwan, Republic of China

Palestine, Israel, West Bank, Gaza, Occupied Territories.

Boundaries:Africa – 1914 , 1990’sEuropean colonial rule

Europe Before WWII Europe After WWII

Russia and the former Soviet Union

Middle East – Before 1948; after 1967

Perspectives of place names:Arabian Gulf vs. Persian Gulf

Sea of Japan vs. East Sea

Middle East vs. North Africa and Southwest Asia

Disputed Areas:Korea

Western Sahara

Former Yugoslavia

Kashmir – Pakistan: Muslim India: Hindu