1.1
Define:
 elevation
 landform
 summer solstice
 plate tectonics
 Geographic Information System
 Global Positioning System
 erosion
 equinox
 fault
 weathering
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elevation-height above sea level
landform-individual features of the land
summer solstice-day with the most hours of sunlight/fewest of darkness
plate tectonics-theory that Earth’s crust is not unbroken shell but
consist of plates or huge slabs of rock that move.
Geographic Information System-special software that helps geographer
gather and use information about a place.
Global Positioning System-group of satellites that travel around the
Earth which can be used to tell exact locations on the Earth.
Erosion process of weathering way or moving Earth’s material.
Equinox-day when day and night are equal length in both hemispheres
Fault-crack in Earth’s crust
Weathering-natural process that breaks surface rocks into boulders,
gravel, sand and soil.
1.2 Types of Maps
1. General Purpose
a. Political Map – Shows names and boundaries between states, counties,
countries, continents, etc. Human-made divisions
b. Physical Map- Shows landforms and features of the land. Shows
elevation
2. Special Purpose
a. Population Density Map- Shows where people live in an
area
b. Climate Map- shows average weather over time
c. Land Use / Resource Map- Shows how people use the land
and available resources. colors=land use
symbols=resources
d. Elevation- the height of an area above sea level.
1.3 Map Projections
 The earth is round
 Maps are flat and square
 A round surface cannot be made both flat and square
1. Globe- best possible representation of the earth because it is round, but it
lacks detail and is not practical
2. Projections- different ways to make a round earth look flat on a map
a. Mercator Projection- Simple, square, but distorts the polar regions by
making them look too big.
b. Conic Projection- Cone-shaped, accurate but only covers a small area
and isn’t square.
c. Robinson Projection- Most accurate world projection. Frequently used
in schools
Cartographer- a person who makes maps
Environment-surroundings
Geography-study of the world and its variety
Hemisphere-half the earth
Sphere- round, like a ball
Population density-how crowded a place is/ number of people who live
in a square mile
Elevation-height above sea level
1.4 Parts of Maps and Directions
Vocabulary:
North
Map scale (scale bar)
Key/legend
West
East
Compass- a device that always
points to
Magnetic north
North magnetic pole- a spot in northern
Canada to which all compasses point
South
Cardinal directionsNorth, West, East, South
Intermediate DirectionsSouthwest, Northwest, Northeast, Southeast
NW
**A Compass Rose Will Spell “WE” If It’s Correct
Usually on a map…
North is at the top
SW
South is at the bottom
West is to the left
East is to the right
*Intermediate Directions- Always Say North or South First
NE
SE
1.5 Questions Pages 22-27
Vocabulary:
Landform- features of the land (mountains, hills, rivers, etc)
Artifact- something old made by people
Answer:
What are the two main branches of geography? P. 23-24
Human (study of people) Physical (study of earth)
What is one way in which geographers gather information to make accurate maps?
P.24
Photos and images from a high vantage point
What do the initials G.P.S stand for? p.25
Global Positioning System
What are three uses of geography? P. 26
Planning, resources, decision making
On what do historians rely in order to construct their stories of the past? P.27
Written records
What are four examples of artifacts? P.27
Tools, paintings, weapons, pottery