Name _________________________________________ Core __________________ Date ________________________
Unit 1- Places Regions and People Study Guide
Overview

Types of Maps- There are many types of maps, and they all convey different kinds of information about places.
Maps are used to organize and convey information in a quick and readily available way.

Defining Regions- Geographers group sets of places into regions based on shared geographic characteristics. By
grouping sets of places with shared characteristics together, geographers can identify and understand patterns and easily
compare different locations.
Key Points:
1. Maps are among geographers’ most important tools. Geographers use maps to answer questions, solve problems, and
make comparisons, because maps provide details about a place quickly and easily through visual representations.
2. The three main types of maps are physical maps, political maps, and thematic (or special purpose) maps. Almost all
maps include some type of legend, or key, that explains what the various symbols, colors, and lines on a map mean.
3. Dividing the world into regions helps geographers organize information and identify patterns.
4. Physical regions are defined by physical geography characteristics like landforms and bodies of water.
5. Cultural regions are defined by human characteristics like religion, language, political borders, and economic industries.
6. There are many different ways to divide the world and smaller areas into regions.
Identify and explain the significance of the following terms:

Cartographer- ______________________________________________________________________________

Physical Map- ______________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________

Political Map- ______________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________

Thematic Map- _____________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Reading Guide:
1. How do maps depict physical features on Earth’s surface? ____________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
2. What information is shown on a political map? _____________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
3. What is a thematic map, and how does it help researchers answer questions? _____________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
4. What is a region? How are regions defined? _______________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
5. How do geographers use maps to answer questions and solve problems? _________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Name ________________________________________________ Core _________________ Date _______________________
Vocabulary Organizer
Key Term
Illustrate
Define
Use in a sentence
Key Term
Illustrate
Define
Use in a sentence
Key Term
Illustrate
Define
Use in a sentence