Geography
Essential Knowledge
Latitude Lines of latitude,
or parallels, circle the earth
parallel to the Equator and
measure the distance north
or south of the Equator in
degrees. The Equator is
measured at 0° latitude,
while the Poles lie at
latitudes 90° N (north)
and 90° S (south).
Parallels north of the
Equator are called north
latitude, and parallels south
of the Equator are called
south latitude.
Longitude Lines of longitude,
or meridians, circle the earth
from Pole to Pole. These lines
measure distances east or west
of the starting line, which lies at
0° longitude and is called the
Prime Meridian. By international
agreement, the Prime Meridian
is the line of longitude that runs
through the Royal Observatory
in Greenwich, England. Places
east of the Prime Meridian
are known as east longitude,
and places west of the Prime
Meridian are known as west
longitude.
The Global Grid Every place
has a global address, also called
its absolute location (see page
9 of your textbook). You can
identify the absolute location
of a place by naming the
longitude and latitude lines
that cross exactly at that
place. For example, the
city of Tokyo, Japan, is
located at 36ºN latitude
and 140ºE longitude. For
more precise readings,
each degree of latitude
and longitude is subdivided
into 60 units called minutes.
Common Map Projections
Geographic Information Systems
A cartographer uses GIS to make a map.
Reading a
Map 2
Key Cartographers use a
variety of symbols to represent
map information. Graphic
symbols are easily understood
by people around the world. To
be sure that the symbols are
clear, however, every map
contains a key–a list that
explains what the symbols
stand for. This key shows
symbols commonly used on a
political map. 
Click the mouse button or press the
Space Bar to display the information.
Compass Rose Most maps
feature a compass rose, a
marker that indicates
directions. The four cardinal
directions–north, south, east,
and west–are usually indicated
with arrows or points of a star.
The intermediate directions
northeast, northwest,
southeast, southwest–may also
be shown, usually with smaller
arrows or star points.
Sometimes a compass rose
may point in only one direction
because the other directions
can be determined in relation
to the given direction. The
compass rose on this map
indicates north only. 
Reading a
Map 4
Reading a
Map 6
Scale Bar The scale bar
shows the relationship between
map measurements and actual
distances. By laying a ruler
along the scale bar, you can
calculate how many miles or
kilometers are represented per
inch or centimeter. 
Click the mouse button or press the
Space Bar to display the information.
Graphs, Charts, and Diagrams
Graphs
•A graph is a visual presentation of information.
•There are many kinds of graphs, each suitable for
certain purposes.
•Most graphs show two sets of data, one displayed
along the vertical axis and the other displayed along
the horizontal axis.
•Labels on these axes identify the data being
displayed.
Line Graphs A line graph shows changes in two variables,
or changing sets of circumstances over periods of time. To
analyze data on a line graph, study the changes and trends
as shown by the line. Then draw conclusions based on the
information. This line graph shows U.S. population growth
between 1900 and 2000. The vertical axis lists population, and
the horizontal axis indicates the passage of time.
Bar Graphs A bar graph shows comparisons. To analyze
a bar graph, note the differences in quantities. Then make
generalizations or draw conclusions based on the data.
This bar graph shows lumber production among the top five
lumber-producing countries in the world. The vertical axis
shows the amount of lumber produced.
Circle Graphs A circle graph, or pie graph, shows the
relationship of parts to a whole. Percentages are indicated
by relative size and sometimes by color. To analyze a circle
graph, study the relationships of areas to one another and
to the whole. This circle graph shows the land areas of the
world’s continents and other landmasses, such as islands,
expressed as percentages of Earth’s total landmass.
Graphs, Charts, and Diagrams
Charts and Tables
Data are arranged in columns and rows in a chart
or table. Charts and tables display facts in an
organized manner and make comparisons easy.
To find key information in a chart or table, look for
the intersections of columns and rows. 
The table on the following slide displays information
about the population and land area of the world’s
continents.
Click the mouse button or press the
Space Bar to display the information.
Graphs, Charts, and Diagrams
Charts and Tables
Checking for Understanding
Define Match each definition in the left column with the
appropriate term in the right column.
__
M 1. the study of human activities
and their relationship to the
cultural and physical
environments
__
F 2. a particular space with physical
and human meaning
__
B 3. the exact position of a place on
the earth’s surface
__
K 4. the complex community of
interdependent living things in a
given environment
__
L 5. ongoing movement of people,
goods, and ideas
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
K.
L.
M.
location
absolute location
hemisphere
grid system
relative location
place
region
formal region
functional region
perceptual region
ecosystem
movement
human
environment
interaction
Checking for Understanding
Define Match each definition in the left column with the
appropriate term in the right column.
__
C 6. half of a sphere or globe, as in
the earth’s Northern and
Southern Hemispheres
__
J 7. a region defined by popular
feelings and images rather than
by objective data
__
I 8. a central point and the
surrounding territory linked to it
__
A 9. a specific place on the earth
__
H 10. a region defined by a common
characteristic, such as
production of a product
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
K.
L.
M.
location
absolute location
hemisphere
grid system
relative location
place
region
formal region
functional region
perceptual region
ecosystem
movement
human
environment
interaction
Checking for Understanding
Define Match each definition in the left column with the
appropriate term in the right column.
__
D 11. pattern formed as the lines of
latitude and longitude cross one
another
__
G 12. place united by specific
characteristics
__
E 13. location in relation to other
places
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
K.
L.
M.
location
absolute location
hemisphere
grid system
relative location
place
region
formal region
functional region
perceptual region
ecosystem
movement
human
environment
interaction
The Geographer’s Craft
Terms to Know
•
•
•
•
•
physical geography 
human geography 
meteorology 
cartography 
geographic information systems (GIS)
Branches of Geography
• Physical geography focuses on the study
of Earth’s physical features. 
• Human geography, or cultural geography,
studies human activities
and their relationship to the environment.
Geographers at Work
• Direct Observation Going to a
geographic location to see what it
is like is direct observation
• Mapping Cartographers are people who
design and make maps–graphic
representations of places and regions and
more complicated information about the
relationships of people, places, and things.
Geographers at Work (cont.)
• Interviewing Cultural geographers often
interview the people whose activities they study.

• Interviewing Cultural geographers often
interview the people whose activities they study.

• Technology Geographers use advanced
technology–satellite photos, radar, and
geographic information systems (GIS)–to
study the environment, the weather, and human
settlement patterns.
Checking for Understanding
Define Match each definition in the left column with the
appropriate term in the right column.
__
D 1. the science of mapmaking
__
B 2. the study of human activities
and their relationship to the
cultural and physical
environments
__
E 3. computer tools for processing
and organizing details and
satellite images with other
pieces of information
__
C 4. the study of weather and
weather forecasting
__
A 5. the study of Earth’s physical
features
A. physical
geography
B. human
geography
C. meteorology
D. cartography
E. geographic
information
systems (GIS)
Reviewing Key Terms
Insert the key term that best completes each of the
following sentences.
absolute location
cartography
ecosystem
formal region
grid system
human geography
physical geography
relative location
geographic information systems (GIS)
1. Plants and animals depend on one another in a(n)
___________________.
ecosystem
grid system
2. Geographers use a(n) ___________________
formed by lines of latitude and longitude to
determine ___________________
.
absolute location
Reviewing Key Terms
Insert the key term that best completes each of the
following sentences.
absolute location
cartography
ecosystem
formal region
grid system
human geography
physical geography
relative location
geographic information systems (GIS)
3. ___________________
is the study of the human
Human geography
aspects of geography.
4. A(n) ___________________
has boundaries
formal region
determined by a common characteristic.
5. Another name for mapmaking is _____________.
cartography
Reviewing Key Terms
Insert the key term that best completes each of the
following sentences.
absolute location
cartography
ecosystem
formal region
grid system
human geography
physical geography
relative location
geographic information systems (GIS)
6. ________________
Relative location is expressed in relation to
other places.
7. Computer tools that process data and satellite
images with other pieces of geographic information
geographic information systems (GIS)
are called ________________________________.
Reviewing Key Terms
Insert the key term that best completes each of the
following sentences.
absolute location
cartography
ecosystem
formal region
grid system
human geography
physical geography
relative location
geographic information systems (GIS)
8. _________________
Physical geography focuses on the study of the
earth’s physical features.
Locating Places
Match the letters on the map with the places and physical
features of the earth.
__1.
B
North America
__2.
A
South America
__3.
D
Africa
__4.
E
Asia
__5.
C
Europe
__6.
G
Antarctica
__7.
F
Australia
__8.
I
Atlantic Ocean
__9.
H
Indian Ocean
__10.
J
Pacific Ocean
Use the circle graph below and your knowledge
of geography to answer the following questions.
1. Which ocean covers the smallest area of the earth’s surface?
A Atlantic
B Indian
C Pacific
D Arctic
Test–Taking Tip Study the information shown on the circle graph for
the areas of the earth covered by land and by oceans. Then compare
the relative sizes of the different graph segments. By comparing the
segments you will be able to determine the correct answers.
2. Which ocean covers about as much of the earth’s surface as land
does?
F Indian
H Arctic
G Pacific
J Atlantic
Test–Taking Tip Study the information shown on the circle graph for
the areas of the earth covered by land and by oceans. Then compare
the relative sizes of the different graph segments. By comparing the
segments you will be able to determine the correct answers.