Unit 1 Geography Principles

Basic Terms A globe is a scale model of the earth. A grid of lines is superimposed. Lines going east-west are Latitude. Lines going north-south are Longitude. Latitude lines are parallel lines. Longitudinal lines are meridians. Meridians intersect at the poles. The equator is equal distant from each pole. The Prime Meridian runs through Greenwich, En The Prime Meridian is 0 degrees Longitude. Draw a globe and add the latitude and longitude lines. Refer to pages H and H1

Degrees & Minutes Latitude is measured in degrees. Degrees are subdivided into minutes. 60 minutes is one degree. North of the equator is marked N South of the equator is marked S East of the prime meridian is marked E. West of the prime meridian is marked W. Add NSEW markings and degrees. Its degrees from the equator or prime meridian…

Range Latitude runs from 0 degrees to 90 degrees North or South. Longitude ranges from 0 degrees to 180 degrees East and West. What is 0 degrees longitude? What is 0 degrees Latitude? Where do they intersect?

Hemispheres The equator divides the globe into two hemispheres. The Northern Hemisphere is north of the equator. The Southern Equator is south of the equator. The PM and 180 degree meridian divide the globe into two hemispheres: Eastern and Western Hemisphere.

Continents The land surface of the Earth is divided into 7 Continents. Africa Antarctica Asia Australia Europe North America South America Why isn’t the North Pole a Continent?

The World Ocean In reality there is only one ocean on the earth. Why is this true? Nonetheless, we divide the ocean into: Atlantic Ocean Arctic Ocean Indian Ocean Pacific Ocean

Islands & Lakes An island is a land mass surrounded by water. A lake or sea are smaller bodies of water. Think about how islands are separated from continents and lakes are separated from oceans.

Maps A map is a flat diagram representing the earth’s surface. How is a map different from a globe? There are different ways to represent the earth’s surface. These ways are called projections. There is no way to accurately represent a globe on a flat surface.

Types of Projections Cylindrical (Mercator) Conic Flat Plane What are the benefits and the problems with each projection?

The Problem with Projections There are four basic characteristics of a map that are distorted to some degree, depending on the map projection used. These characteristics include distance, direction, shape, and area. Look at each projection, which factor is most distorted by which projection?

Map Essentials Title that tells the subject of the map. Compass Rose or North Arrow defines direction and orientation. Scale provides a ratio or formula for determining distance. Legend defines symbols used in a map. Locator map shows where on the globe the current map is located.

WARNING. This diagram says 4 parts but actually demonstrates 5parts WARNING!!! This diagram says 4 parts but actually demonstrates 5parts. Which is the 5th?

Types of Maps Historical maps provides a “snap shot” of the past in a given region. (Thematic Map) Route maps show how people traveled. Think battles, trade or exploration. (Thematic Map) Political maps show national borders and political subdivisions. Physical maps provide the physical features of an area. Topographical maps are an example.

Geographic Dictionary Trace and draw/illustrate pages H8 and H9

Label each on your illustration and define each on the back side. Ocean Peninsula Coast Plateau Coral Reef Sinkhole Volcano Valley Gulf Lake Plain Mountain Isthmus Forest Hill Canyon Delta River Dune Glacier Bay Wetland Desert Strait Island Oasis