UNIT 1: WORLD
GEOGRAPHY BASICS
Maps vs. Globes
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Map: a symbolic representation of all
or part of the planet
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There are a large variety of maps
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Globe: is a scale model of the Earth
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Globes are typically very similar
Determining Location
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A grid system is formed by longitude and
latitude lines that help location be
determined
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Latitude: or parallels, circle the Earth
parallel to the Equator and measure
distance north/south
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Longitude: or meridians, circle the Earth
from Pole to Pole, measure distance east
to west
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These measurements are in degrees
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Absolute Location: global address,
naming the latitude and longitude lines
that cross exactly at that place
Hemispheres
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Hemisphere: on of the halves into
which the Earth is divided
•
Northern/Southern divided by the
Equator
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Equator: is measured at 0 degrees
latitude
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Eastern vs Western is divided by the
Prime Meridian
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Prime Meridian: is measured at 0
degrees longitude
Reading a Map
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Key/Legend: a list that explains the
symbols, colors, and lines used on the
map
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Scale: shows the relationship
between map measurements and the
actual distances on the Earth
•
Compass Rose: indicates direction
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Cardinal Directions: north, south,
east, and west
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Intermediate Directions: northeast,
northwest, southeast, southwest
Map Types: Physical Maps
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Physical Maps: shows the location
and the shape of the Earth’s physical
features
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Topography: the study of surface
shape and features of the Earth
•
Majority show changes in elevation in
a region
Map Types: Political Maps
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Political Maps: maps that show the
boundaries and locations of political
units such as countries, states,
countries, cities, and towns
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HUMAN MADE rather than nature
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No tangible border
Map Types: Thematic Maps
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Thematic Maps: maps that
emphasizes a single idea or a
particular kind of information about
an area
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Two Types
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Qualitative Map: maps that use
colors, symbols, lines or dots to show
information
•
Flow-line Map: maps that illustrate
movement of people, animals, goods,
and ideas
Section 2: Common Terms, General
Focuses, and Research Methods
Places/Regions
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Place: a particular space with physical and human meaning
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ex. Great American Ballpark
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Regions: areas with similar characteristics
ex. Central America
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Formal Region: is defined by a common characteristic, such as a product produced their
•
ex. The Corn Belt
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Functional Region: a central place and the surrounding area linked to it
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Ex. Springfield
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Perceptual Region: defined by popular feelings and images rather than by objective data
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ex. The “Heartland”
Physical Systems and Human Systems
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Physical Geography focuses on the
Earth’s physical features
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Physical Maps
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They often study ecosystems
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Ecosystems: is a community of
plants and animals that depend upon
one another, and their surrounding,
for survival
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Human Geography focuses human
activity and their relationship to
culture and the physical environment
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Study the movement of people,
goods, and ideas
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Focus on politics, economics,
population growth etc.
Environment and Society
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Human-environment interactions:
the study of the interrelationship
between people and their physical
environment
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Often this interaction is negative for
the environment
•
Ex. ????s
Research Methods in Geography
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Direct Observation
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Mapping
-Cartography: designing and
making maps
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Interviewing
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Analyzing Statistics
Topics we will study/examine
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Economy
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Culture
- language
- Art
-Customs
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Education
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Political System
SECTION 3: GLOBAL
DIVERSITY
Climate and Weather
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Weather: the condition of the atmosphere in one place during a limited period of
time
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Short term aspect of climate
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Climate: the term for the weather patterns that an area typically experiences over
a long period of time
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Ex. Seattle, Washington
Revolution and Rotation
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The Earth rotates on its axis, and revolves
around the sun
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Earth’s Axis: an imaginary line running
from the North Pole to the South Pole
through the planet’s center
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Equinox: Meaning “equal night”, Around
March 21 the sun’s rays fall directly on
the Equator causing night and day to
have equal hours
Latitudes, Elevation, and Climates
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Low Latitudes: Area between 30
degrees South and 30 degrees North
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Places located in these latitudes have
warm/hot climates
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Midlatitudes: Area between 30-60
degrees North and 30-60 degrees
South
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Experience dramatic seasonal
weather changes
Latitudes, Elevation, and Climates
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High latitudes: Area between 60-90
degrees North and 60-90 degrees
South
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Places located in these latitudes have
cold climates
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Arctic Circle: latitude 66.5 degrees
North
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Antarctic Circle: latitude 66.5
degrees South
Wind and Ocean Currents
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Prevailing winds blow in fairly
consistent patterns
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Warm air from the Equator moving
towards the Poles
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Cold air from the Poles moving
toward the Equator
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Coriolis Effect: is defined as how a
moving object seems to veer toward
the right in the Northern hemisphere
and left in the Southern hemisphere.
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Causes prevailing winds to move
diagonally
Climate Regions
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Topical Climates: found in or near the
low latitudes
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Think Rainforests
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Tons of natural vegetation
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Dry Climates: found in the low/mid
latitudes
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Think Deserts
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Little to no natural vegetation
Climate Regions
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Midlatitude Climates: Largest variety
of climates
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Think 4 Seasons
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High-Latitude Climates: Freezing
temperatures
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Little to no natural vegetation
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Permafrost: permanently frozen
subsoil