GeographyGeographyThe study of the earth’s physical and human features.

• Six Elements of Geography• Five Themes of Geography• Map Skills• Latitude and Longitude• Geography Terms

Six Elements of GeographySix Elements of Geography

• The World in Spatial Terms

• Places and Regions

• Physical Systems

• Human Systems

• Environment and Society

• The Uses of Geography

The Five Themes of Geography• Location: Where is it? Absolute location refers to the exact spot of

a place on the earth’s surface.Example: Levittown, NY 40.725N., 73.514W.

Relative location tells where a place is, compared with one or more places.

Example: Wantagh is directly south of Levittown

The Five Themes of Geography

• Place: What is it like?

Place describes all of the characteristics that give an area its own special quality.

Examples Physical Features Human Characteristics

mountains language

waterways religion

climate architecture

The Five Themes of Geography

• Human/Environment Interaction: What is the relationship between people and their surroundings?

People respond to the environment in many ways in order to meet their everyday needs. Example: clearing away forests to create more

farmland.

The Five Themes of Geography

• Movement: How do people in one area relate to people in other areas?

Throughout history, people, ideas, goods, and information have moved from place to place.

Example: transportation

(people and goods) and

communication

The Five Themes of Geography

• Region: What common features bring geographical areas together?

Physical features: mountains, rivers

Human features: religion, language

Colorado Mountains

Chinatown

ContinentsContinents

• Continents: large bodies of land

• Seven continents

• Asia, Africa, Antarctica, Australia, Europe, North America, South America

HemisphereHemisphere

• Hemisphere means half of sphere

• Geographers divide the earth into four hemispheres

LatitudeLatitude• Latitude lines or parallels run east to

west

• An imaginary line dividing the world into the Northern and Southern hemisphere is called the equator ~ 0 degrees Latitude

LongitudeLongitude

• Running north to south are longitude lines or meridians

• These imaginary lines measure the distance east and west of the prime meridian

• 0 degrees longitude

•Use mathematical formulas to transfer globe information onto a flat map.•A Globe shows land and water forms accurately.•A globe models the true shape of the of the earth- Sphere.

Cartographer - mapmaker

From Maps to GlobesFrom Maps to Globes

Maps• Mapmakers are called

cartographers• A flat drawing of all or part

of the earth’s surface• Can show small areas in

great detail• Can display political

boundaries, population densities, or even voting returns

• Not as accurate as a globe, but are easily carried

Globes• A round scale model of

the earth• The most accurate way to

depict the earth• Gives true picture of

continents’ sizes, shapes of landmasses, and bodies of water

• Accurately represent distance and direction

Great Circle Route

• An imaginary line that follows the curve of the Earth.

• Airplane Pilots use these routes because they are the shortest distance.

Using MapsUsing Maps

Using MapsUsing Maps

Different Kinds of MapsDifferent Kinds of Maps• Political Maps: show countries, states,

cities, boundaries (general purpose map: shows a wide range of general information)

• Physical Maps: show the earth’s natural features (mountains, plains) (general purpose map)

• Elevation Maps: use color to show the height of land above sea level

Different Kinds of MapsDifferent Kinds of Maps• Relief Maps: a physical map that shows

changes in elevation

• Historical Maps: show information about the past or where past events took place (special purpose map or thematic map)

• Distribution maps: show how things such as language, religion, population, and rainfall are distributed throughout an area.(special purpose map or thematic map)

Special Purpose Maps

• Usually shows patterns or themes.

• Example: Historical Maps show when and where events took place