Geography

What is Geography??

Lines of Latitude

Lines of Longitude

Coordinates

Small Scale: The map covers a LARGE area

Large Scale: The map covers a SMALL area

The Main Tool in Studying Geography: Maps- but Maps LIE Maps Lie: What you see on a map is an incorrect and distorted representation of the world. Why? The World is a (3) Dimensional Sphere Maps are on paper, which is a (2) Dimensional object

Map Projections: Making Maps Farther away from the center of the projection the more distorted

Mercator Map: What is distorted?

So why use maps if they are not correct?

Easier to use and carry than globes and there is not a lot of distortion on large scale maps

On a map what is the shortest way between Point A and Point B?

Answer: A straight line of course- basic geometry Is that true in the real world? Point A Point B

No- The shortest way is not a straight line: Look at the path of airplanes (3D trigonometry and calculus

Types of Geography and Maps

The Main Separate Fields Physical Geography: Focuses on geography as a earth science. A Few of the main sub-fields of Physical Geography Climatology- study weather over a long period of time and its effects on the rest of the world Geomorphology- study of landforms: why natural landforms look the way they do Hydrology- the study of the movement of water throughout earth Oceanography- study of the oceans including marine life, ocean floor, currents, waves etc. There are many other more specific sub-fields

Climatology

Geomorphology

Hydrology

Oceanography

2. Human Geography: Study of the way humans interact with the earth Few main sub-fields of Human Geography Political Geography- The study of the interaction of countries (states) in the world Historical Geography- How history has influence the distribution of people, cultures and countries (states) in the world today Economic Geography- Studies why certain economic activities are located where they are. EX) Guatemala= sugar, coffee. China= textiles. Japan= Electonics.

Political Geography

Economic Activity Map

3. Environmental Geography Study of the spatial aspects between humans and the natural world This field bridges human and physical geography Map of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest

Types of Maps 1) Climate Maps: General information about different climate zones or precipitation amounts

2. Economic or Resource Maps: Show where different types of economic activity or natural resources take place

3. Physical Maps: Show differences in elevation 3. Physical Maps: Show differences in elevation. Green is usually lower elevation, and orange and brown are higher elevations See: Page 20

4. Political Maps: Do not show elevations 4. Political Maps: Do not show elevations. They show cities and capitals with state and international boundaries

Thematic Maps: These maps have certain information about a place or region… see page 21

5. Road Maps: Show highways and some minor roads along with points of interest

6. Topographical Maps: They have contour lines that show the shape and elevation of an area.