Chapters 1 Studying Geography

Geography – the study of everything on earth. 2 main branches of Geography Human geography – manmade Physical geography – natural

• interaction of people with their environments SECTION 1 Themes and Essential Elements Human Geography Physical Geography • study of distribution and characteristics of the world’s people (where people live and what they do) • examines how people make and trade things that they need to survive • focuses on Earth’s natural environments including landforms, water features, plants, animals, and other physical features • studies the processes that shape physical environment Both • interaction of people with their environments

The Six Essential Elements

The world in spatial terms – where (location)

Places and regions – what (place and how we define it)

Physical Systems – natural (mountains, oceans, etc..)

Human systems – people (culture, ethnic, religion)

Environment and society - how we interact with the environment

Uses of geography – helps us to understand relationships among different peoples past and present as well as the physical make up of our planet.

Geography Terms Grid – Pattern of lines that circle the globe in east-west and north-south directions.

Equator – imaginary line that circles the globe halfway between the North and South Poles.

Latitude – lines drawn in east-west direction and measure distance north and south of equator. Parallels – another name for lines of latitude; parallel to the equator

Prime Meridian – imaginary line drawn from the North Pole through Greenwich, England to the South Pole

Longitude – lines drawn in north-south direction and measure distance east and west of the Prime Meridian Meridians – another name for lines of longitude

Degrees – Measurement used when using latitude and longitude. Symbol for degrees is ° . Degrees are further divided into minutes, for which the symbol is ‘. There are 60 minutes in a degree.

20 N, 74 W 12.5 N, 81.7 W

Geography Terms Hemispheres – The world is divided into 4 hemispheres. The equator divides the earth into a northern and a southern hemisphere. The Prime Meridian divides the earth into eastern and western hemispheres.

Continents – The earth’s land surfaces are organized into 7 continents. North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and Antarctica.

Oceans – The largest division of water surfaces Oceans – The largest division of water surfaces. There are 5 major oceans. Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, Southern, and Arctic Ocean.

Map Projection – projecting round earth on a flat map. Atlas – book of maps. Map Projection – projecting round earth on a flat map. Types of Maps Physical – show natural features on the land Political – show state and country lines Special Purpose – show crops, natural resources, tourist sites, etc.

Map Tools: Directional indicator – shows which directions are north, south, east, and west. Compass rose – A directional indicator that has arrows that point to all four principal directions. Scales – used to represent distances between points on a map Legend or Key – explains what the symbols on the map represent

Chapters 2 Earth In Space

Solar System Solar system is the sun and the group of bodies that revolve around it. Almost all of Earth’s energy comes from the sun Satellites – A body that orbits a larger body. Moons are natural satellites.

The diameter of the Earth is about 8,000 miles. The diameter of the Sun is about 865,000 miles. The moon is 240,000 miles from the Earth. The Earth’s orbit is about 93 million miles from the Sun.

The Earth The Moon

Rotation One complete spin of the Earth on its axis. Takes 24 hours. Solar energy hits only the half of the earth that is facing the sun. Revolution Earth’s movement around the sun. Takes 365 ¼ days to complete one revolution. Earth’s Tilt Earth is tilted at 23 ½ degree angle. North polar axis always points towards the North Star.

Earth – Sun Relationship Tropics – low latitude areas near the equator that receive great amounts of solar energy year round Polar Regions – high latitude areas that are cold most of the year because they do not receive great amounts of solar energy Seasons – northern and southern hemispheres have opposite seasons because they receive direct solar rays at different times of the year because of the tilt of earth

Solstice – occurs twice a year when Earth’s poles point toward or away from the sun more than at any other time; occur around Dec. 21 & June 21 Tropic of Capricorn – latitude in southern hemisphere that receives sun’s most direct rays during the December Solstice. Tropic of Cancer – latitude in northern hemisphere that receives sun’s most direct rays during the June Solstice Equinox – occurs twice a year when Earth’s poles are not pointed toward or away from the sun; night and day are equal (12 hours each); occurs around March 21 and Sept. 22

Tropic of Cancer – latitude in northern hemisphere that receives sun’s most direct rays during the June Solstice Equinox – occurs twice a year when Earth’s poles are not pointed toward or away from the sun; night and day are equal (12 hours each); occurs around March 21 and Sept. 22

Seasons

Earth-Sun Relationships SECTION 2 Earth-Sun Relationships Solstice Equinox time when Earth’s poles point at their greatest angle toward or away from the Sun occurs twice each year when Earth’s poles are not pointed toward or away from the Sun

Solstice

The Earth System Earth System – interactions of elements on and around our planet Broken into 4 parts Atmosphere – layer of gases that surround earth Lithosphere – surface of the planet Hydrosphere – all the water of the planet Biosphere – part of the earth where all plant and animal life exists

The Earth System