Part 1:

Principles of Geography

#1What is

Geography?Objectives:

1. Define geography as a field of study2. Explain the difference between physical and human

geography3. Identify examples of how geography is used in the world

around us

Geography is the study of the

earth’s surface Geo=world or earth Graphy=to study or write something or

describe something

#1What is Geography?

3 Big Questions: What?

What is an amusement park? What are humans doing there?

Where? Where are amusement parks typically located?

Why there? Why are amusement parks located in this particular part of

the US or in this part of Florida?

#1What is Geography?

Physical Geography is the study of

the natural features, the patterns, and processes that exist on the earth’s surface Landforms (mountains, valleys, canyons) Bodies of water (oceans, seas, lakes, rivers) Geological processes (plate tectonics,

weathering, erosion, climates, environments)

#1What is Geography?

Human Geography is the

study of human behavior – how humans interact with each other and the world around them Cultures, societies, value systems Cities, governments, economics

#1What is Geography?

Why study geography?

Geography helps us better understand the world around us

The better we understand the world around us and the people that inhabit the world, the better we can plan for future generations and ensure the continuity of mankind

#1What is Geography?

How is geography used:? Cartography: the art of mapmaking

Maps help us navigate around the world Meteorology: study of the earth’s

atmosphere and its weather conditions

Meteorologists help us predict & prepare for disastrous storms & climate change

#1What is Geography?

How is geography used:? Demography: the study of human

populations Demographers try to understand factor that

cause human populations to grow & decline Urban Planning: to plan for the future of

cities Urban planners use demography to plan for

future public spaces, transportation, electricity, & water systems

#1What is Geography?

Review:1. Define geography as a field of

study2. Explain the difference between

physical and human geography3. Identify examples of how

geography is used in the world around us

#1What is Geography?

#2 Understanding Geography

Objectives:1. Explore the 6 essential elements of geography2. Identify ways geographers use the 6 essential

elements of geography to interpret our world

1. The world in spatial terms:

Where things are located and how things are related to each other specifically

2. Places and Regions: Describe what places are like and figure out

how places can be grouped into distinct regions

#2Understanding

Geography

3. Physical Systems:

Examine & understand how the earth’s natural processes are changing and shaping the earth’s surface as well as how the earth’s environments are different from each other thunderstorms, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, hurricanes

4. Human Systems: Refers to everything that humans do in their

daily lives, where they live & why they settle there , and what types of cultures humans have created

#2Understanding

Geography

5. Environment in Society:

How humans affect & interact with the environment Use wood for building & paper, build wind turbines to

generate electricity = we’re adapting the land to meet our needs and wants

Wearing warm clothing & Police boats in Venice, Italy=we adapt to our environment

6. Uses of Geography: Study the past to better plan for the future

#2Understanding

Geography

5 Themes of Geography:1. Location2. Place3. Human-Environment Interaction4. Movement5. Regions

#2Understanding

Geography

Review: 1.Explore the 6 essential

elements of geography2.Identify ways geographers use

the 6 essential elements of geography to interpret our world

#2Understanding

Geography

#3 Organizing Our World

Objectives:1. Understand the division of the earth into continents,

oceans, and hemispheres2. Identify the equator and Prime Meridian

3. Explain the concepts of latitude and longitude4. Describe the earth’s time zones and the International

Date Line

1. Earth’s surface is made of land

& water.2. The land masses are divided

into 7 continents: North America, South America, Africa,

Antarctica, Australia, Europe, Asia (largest)

#3Organizing Our World

3. The earth has ONE ocean, but

it’s divided into different parts. Pacific, Atlantic, Arctic, Indian, & Southern

(not recognized by National Geographic Society)

4. Cardinal Directions North, South, East, West

#3Organizing Our World

5. 4 Hemispheres

Equator divides earth into Northern & Southern Hemispheres

Prime Meridian divides earth into Eastern and Western Hemispheres

6. Equator = 0’ latitude7. Latitude = imaginary lines that run west

to east, measure distance north/south of equator (0-90’ north or 0-90’ south)

#3Organizing Our World

8. Prime Meridian=0’ longitude9. Longitude = imaginary lines that run

north to south, measure distance east/west from the Prime Meridian (0-180’ east, 0-180’ west)

10. International Date Line 180’ opposite the Prime Meridian Determines which day it is, crossing this

line begins a new day!

#3Organizing Our World

11. Earth has 24 Time Zones

Because it takes the earth 24 hours to rotate on its axis (not revolution - revolution takes 1 year!)

12.UTC = Coordinated Universal Time

#3Organizing Our World

Review:1. Understand the division of the earth into

continents, oceans, and hemispheres2. Identify the equator and Prime Meridian3. Explain the concepts of latitude and

longitude4. Describe the earth’s time zones and the

International Date Line

#3Organizing Our World

#4 Getting FamiliarWith Maps

Objectives:1. Identify the purposes of map elements

2. Explore the uses for and characteristics of different types of maps

3. Understand what is meant by map projection4. Compare and contrast commonly used map projections

1. Map = a visual representation of the

earth’s surface2. Title = indicates the purpose of the

map3. Legend (or key) = helps us interpret

what is being shown on the map4. Compass Rose = gives us the cardinal

directions north, south, east, west

#4Getting Familiar with

Maps

5. Scale = a tool that helps us to

estimate distances6. Physical Map = shows the physical

shape of the earth’s surface such as landforms and bodies of water

7. Topographical Map = a type of physical map that uses lines to show both elevation and slope

#4Getting Familiar with

Maps

8. Political Map = maps that show

political borders and boundaries as well as capital cities and other cities

9. Special Purpose Maps (or thematic maps) = maps that show patterns happening across the earth’s surface

Population density, natural resources, climate zones, etc.

#4Getting Familiar with

Maps

10.There are combination political/

physical maps that show landforms, bodies of water, and political borders

11.Distortion = 2D maps are not 100% accurate because distances and shapes of the continents and oceans are distorted when the earth is made flat

#4Getting Familiar with

Maps

12.Mercator Projection

Created by projecting earth onto a cylinder Has perfectly perpendicular lines of longitude

and latitude Heavily distorted

13.Goode Equal-Area Projection Unwrapping earth like an orange peel Accurately illustrates the shapes and sizes of

the earth’s continents but the oceans are split apart

#4Getting Familiar with

Maps

14.Winkel Tripel Projection

Created using mathematical formulas to calculate distances so there are small amounts of distortion

Very visually appealing, but still distorted Official map projection used by the National

Geographic Society

#4Getting Familiar with

Maps

Review:1. Identify the purposes of map elements2. Explore the uses for and characteristics of

different types of maps3. Understand what is meant by map projection4. Compare and contrast commonly used map

projections

#4Getting Familiar with

Maps

#5 New TechnologiesIn Geography

Objectives:1. Describe how remote sensing helps geographers gather

information2. Explore how the global positioning system is used to map our

world3. Explain how geographic information systems help geographers

understand our world4. Apply new geographic technologies to plan for the future and to

find solutions to problems

1. Remote sensing allows

geographers to study something without actually being there

Answers the “what?” question3 types:

Radar Satellite imagery Aerial photographs

#5 New Technologies in Geography

2. Radar:

Type of remote sensing that uses radio waves to determine direction, distance, and height of objects

Operates in all types of weather Used by meteorologists to forecast weather &

natural disasters Used to measure elevation of different

landforms Used to control air traffic at airports

#5 New Technologies in Geography

3. Satellite Imagery:

Man-made objects (satellites) that orbit around the earth taking pictures (imagery)

Used to study environmental changes, calculate urban growth, track the scope of natural disasters, and create more accurate maps that are available to geographers

#5 New Technologies in Geography

4. Aerial Photographs

Photographs taken from the sky, typically from airplanes and helicopters

Show changes on the earth’s surface such as natural disasters, growth of cities over time, and changes in the environment (deforestation in Brazil)

Complement data from satellites

#5 New Technologies in Geography

5. GPS = Global Positioning System

Answers the “where?” question There are 24 satellites in the atmosphere

that send radio signals to receivers. We can find our exact location on the earth

(air, land, and sea) using GPS

#5 New Technologies in Geography

6. GIS= Geographic Information

Systems Computer software allows geographers to

take specific types of information and plot that information on a map. Then we can see the patterns that emerge.

Answers the “why there?” question

#5 New Technologies in Geography

Review:1. Describe how remote sensing helps

geographers gather information2. Explore how the global positioning system is

used to map our world3. Explain how geographic information systems

help geographers understand our world4. Apply new geographic technologies to plan for

the future and to find solutions to problems

#5 New Technologies in Geography

Part 2:

Social Studies Skills

#1 Making Inferences &

Drawing ConclusionsObjectives:

#2 Analyzing Date to Understand

ChangeObjectives:

#3 Common Issues Across Places &

TimesObjectives:

#4 Connecting the Past to Present

IssuesObjectives: