Name: __________________________________ Date: ____________________
Chapter 1 Notes
(Sections 2.1-2.5)
The Geographer’s Toolbox
Sections 2.1-2.5
2.1 Elements of a Map
 Maps and globes are tools used to study places on Earth
Globe: a three-dimensional or spherical representation of Earth
A globe shows Earth as a whole!
Map: a two-dimensional or flat representation of the Earth
A map is used to show a section of the Earth!
Latitude Lines:
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Run west and east
Measure distances north and south of the equator
Divide Earth into Northern and Southern Hemispheres
Latitude lines are parallel to the equator and never touch
The equator is located at 0° latitude
Lines of latitude are also known as parallels
Longitude Lines:
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Run north and south from the North Pole to the South Pole
Measure distances east or west of the prime meridian
Divide Earth into Western and Eastern Hemispheres
The prime meridian is located at 0° longitude
The prime meridian runs through Greenwich, England
Lines of longitude are also known as meridians
Hemisphere: half of Earth
The equator divides Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemisphere.
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The prime meridian divides Earth into the Western and Eastern Hemisphere.
2.2 Map Scales
 Maps use different scales for different purposes
Scale: shows how much distance on Earth is shown on the map
A large-scale map covers a small area but shows many details.
Example: A map of Rome, Italy
A small-scale map covers a large area but includes few details.
Example: A map of all of the different countries in Europe
A scale is usually shown in both inches and centimeters!
2.3 Political and Physical Maps
Cartographers: mapmakers who create different types of maps
A political map shows features that humans have created
 labeled states, provinces, and cities
 boundary lines between areas
A physical map shows natural features such as mountains, plains, valleys, oceans,
and lakes
 shows elevation (height above sea level)
 shows relief (change in elevation from one place to another)
2.4 Map Projections
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 Cartographers use various map projections to show Earth’s curved surface
on a flat map
Maps distort or change shapes, areas, distances, and directions because maps are
flat and the world is a sphere!
Projections: ways of showing Earth’s curved surface on a flat map
Common map projections:
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Azimuthal projection
Mercator projection
Homolosine projection
Robinson projection
Winkel Tripel Projection
2.5 Thematic Maps
 Thematic maps focus on specific topics such as the population density or
economic activity in a region or country
Theme: specific topic
Common thematic maps:
 point symbol map
 dot density map
 proportional symbol map
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