Catch Up Unit 1: Physical Geography Mr. Monaco

What is Geography? 2 Main Branches Why is Geography Important? Human Geography Physical Geography “The Spatial Perspective” 25 Maps that will change how you see the world https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXB1Z_CxBK0 Why is Geography Important? Environmental Determinism Possibilism Ethnocentrism Spatial perspective is a method used in geography to identify, predict and explain the physical and human patterns in space. Caste system example of ethnocentrism Ashley Henson story

Basic Knowledge: Maps Maps = Geographers tools Basic Terms Axis – 23.5 degrees Earth moves 1000 mph Rotation = 23 hours, 56 min., 4.09 sec.(in respect to the stars) Revolution = 365.25 days (thus Leap Day) Hemisphere Hemi Sphere How many? What are continents? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uBcq1x7P34

Maps cont. Latitudinal Lines/Parallels Longitudinal Lines/Meridians Most important line? Which hemispheres? How many degrees? 231/2 degrees N? 231/2 degrees S? 662/3 degrees N? 662/3 degrees S? High Latitude vs. Low Latitude? (Middle Latitude) Based on Latitude Numbers Longitudinal Lines/Meridians Most important longitud lines? Which hemispheres does it create? How many total degrees? Where and what is the 180th meridian?

Basic Knowledge: Seasons Activity The earth always points to the same spot in the sky

Maps cont. Map components Title – what purpose? Compass Rose: Cardinal and intermediate (depends on the projection) N, S, E, W NE, SE, SW, NW NNE, ENE, … Legend/Key Scale – Fraction vs. Graphic scales The ratio of map units to real units Global, national, regional, local Large scale vs. Small scale? www.ifitweremyhome.com www.howbigreally.com How big would your house look on the map????

Format of Many pre-1914 German School Atlases Used in German schools before World War I. Note the use of the fractional scale. Why do you think the fractional scale was used instead of a graphic scale? The fractional scale is not as intuitive and not easy to read. The US and Germany look to be about the same size.

Comparative Size of Germany and USA in 1914 If we maintain the same scale for both countries, this is how they compare in size.

This map shows the total number of African-Americans per state This map shows the total number of African-Americans per state. Examine Georgia.

In the previous slide, Georgia had one of the highest number of African-Americans, but a closer look tells a different picture. The dark red is the Atlanta metropolitan area.

Using Census Tracts of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area, a different scale gives different results.

All maps have Distortion All are distorted – most accurate in center 1. Map Projections Mercator projection Robinson projection Azimuthal or polar projection Equal Area projection https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVX-PrBRtTY 2. Shortest distance between two points? Great-circle route

Mercator Good with direction Bad with sizes and shapes

Robinson Projection Compromise b/t size and shape More accurate overall representation Golden map for most geographers

Azimuthal/Polar Projection Shows true direction and shape Distorts size

Equal Area Projection Excellent with size/shape, Bad with direction & distance Ugly! Splits in map = “interruptions” http://www.progonos.com/furuti/MapProj/ Normal/ProjInt/projInt.html

Great Circle Route

When we can see them, we can study them. These mushroom spores are too small to see, so we put them under a MICROSCOPE. How do we bring things that are too small up to a size that we can see and comprehend? We enlarge them with a microscope When we can see them, we can study them.

This planet is too big to see, so we put it under a MACROSCOPE. What is the problem that all geographers face? We study things that are too large for us to understand, so we need to put them under a macroscope. When we can see it, we can study it.

“Some things are very tiny, and we must use complex electric and optical means (e.g., a microscope) to enlarge them so as to understand their configuration and structural relationships. In contrast, geographical things are so extensive that we must somehow reduce them to bring them into view.” - Arthur Robinson, cartographer Microscope vs. macroscope. Arthur Robinson was among the foremost American cartographers of his age (born in 1915 and died in 2004). In this quote, he captures the diea of scale as meta-concept.

Draw back farther and you can see the real importance of Istanbul Draw back farther and you can see the real importance of Istanbul. It occupies the only place in Eurasia where you can pass through the east-west mountain barrier that separates subtropical Europe from northern Europe.

Principle: We choose a scale to fit the task Principle: We choose a scale to fit the task. Satellite image of the division between Europe and Asia. Is this the best map to use to show the site of Istanbul? No, but it helps us to understand the situation of Istanbul.

Which one of these is the best for examining the site of Istanbul Which one of these is the best for examining the site of Istanbul? One is a radar image, the other an aerial photograph.

Electoral Maps Aggregation (The formation of a number of things into a cluster) Aggregation can obscure regional disparities within certain territories and doesn’t usually include population density among other measures. Who won the 2000 & 2008 election according to the map? How close was the election?

CONSIDER THE MAP The 2008 electoral vote. http://www-personal.umich.edu/~mejn/election/2008/

CONSIDER THE MAP The 2008 electoral vote by county.

2016 Presidential Election

2016 Presidential Election by County