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TOOLS OF
GEOGRAPHY
TOOLS TO USE
•Maps- two-dimensional graphic representations of selected parts of the earth’s surface
•Globes- a three-dimensional representation of the earth
Advantages
• Maps are portable and easy to use
• Globes show the earth as it sits in space
MAPS
• Eratosthenes was first to calculate circumference of earth (only off about 15 degrees) in about 255 BC
• Oldest known map is Babylonian clay tablet created about 2500 years ago
FINDING LOCATION
• GPS-provides absolute location• Theodolite-type of surveying
equipment used to measure angles and distances
• Magnetic Compass-used to accurately determine direction
• Landsat-series of satellites geographers use to provide geographical information
• GIS-stores info about the world in a digital database
Satellites
• Best known satellites to map earth are Landsat and GOES (Geostationary Operational Environment Satellite)
READING MAPS
• Title- explains the subject and what information the map conveys
• Compass Rose- shows North, South, East and West
• Labels- explains features
READING MAPS
• Legend or Key- lists and explains symbols or colors
• Lines of Latitude- lines that measure distance North and South
• Meridians of Longitude- lines that measure distance East and West
MAP READING
• Scale- shows the ratio between a unit of length on a map and a unit of distance on the earth
• Symbols- represents items on the map
• Colors- represents a variety of information on a map
TYPES OF MAPS
• Physical Map- shows landforms and bodies of water
• Political Map- shows features created by humans
• Flow-line Maps- illustrate movement of people, goods, idea, etc.
TYPES OF MAPS
• General Reference Map- a representation of natural man-made features on the earth
• Thematic maps- maps that focus on specific types of information (climate, vegetation, etc)– Qualitative maps- use colors, symbols, dots &
lines to show a pattern– Cartograms- shows info based on data other
than land area
MAP PROJECTIONS
• A map projection is a way of drawing the earth’s surface that reduces distortion caused by presenting a round earth on flat paper
• Distance, shape, direction or area may be distorted by a projection
PROJECTIONS
• Planar Projections- a projection on a flat surface, called azimuthal projections; it distorts size and shape
• Conical Projections- these show shape fairly accurately, but will distort landmass at the edges
PROJECTIONS
• Cylindrical Projections- shows the entire earth on one map– Mercator- shapes are distorted at the
poles and compressed near the equator– Homolosine- oceans are separated; has
accurate shapes but distorted distances– Robinson- shows entire earth with
nearly true sizes & shapes; the landforms near the poles are flat