Chapter 1Essentials of
Geography
Robert W. ChristophersonCharlie Thomsen
The Science of Geography
Earth Systems Concepts
Location and Time on Earth
Maps, Scales, and Projections
Remote Sensing and GIS
Essentials of Geography
Geography – from geo “Earth” and graphein “to write”
Geography is a method, not a body of knowledge
holistic
eclectic
Geographers use spatial analysis
Geographers use Earth systems science
The Science of Geography
The science that studies the relationships among
natural systems
geographic areas
society
cultural activities
and the interdependence of all of these over space
Geography Is
The spatial analysis of all the physical elements and processes that make up the environment
Physical Geography Is
Figure 1.2
Scientific Method
Figure FS 1.1.1
Systems theory
Open systems
Closed systems
System feedback
System equilibrium
Earth Systems Concepts
Figure 1.3
Systems
Figure 1.4
Systems in Geosystems
Figure 1.7
Earth’s Four Spheres
Figure 1.8
Positive Feedback in High-Latitude Meltponds
Figure HLC 1.1.1
Earth’s Dimensions
Figure 1.9
Measuring Earth in 247 B.C.
Figure 1.10
Latitude
Longitude
Great circles
Prime Meridian and standard time
Location and Time on Earth
Latitude
Figure 1.11
Latitudinal Geographic Zones
Figure 1.12
Longitude
Figure 1.13
Great Circles and Small Circles
Figure 1.14
Prime Meridian and Standard Time
Figure 1.17
Map – a generalized view of an area, as seen from above and reduced in size
Scale – ratio of map units to ground units
Projection – process of transforming spherical Earth to flat map
Maps, Scales, and Projections
Figure 1.21
Classes of Map Projections
Active remote sensing
Passive remote sensing
Remote Sensing
Active and Passive Remote Sensing
Figure 1.25
Remote Sensing
Figure 1.26 Figure 1.27
RADARSAT-1 GOES-12
GIS systems combine spatial and attribute data
Maps can contain multiple data layers:Physical features
Cultural features
Layers can be added to create composite overlay
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
GIS System Model
Figure 1.29
Robert W. ChristophersonCharlie Thomsen
Geosystems 7eAn Introduction to Physical Geography
End of Chapter 1
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