Ch. 1, L2 The Geographer’s Tools I. Using Globes and Maps A. Globes 1. The most accurate way to show places on Earth is with a globe. a) Globes are like spheres, objects shaped like a ball. b) Globes show distances and directions between places more correctly than flat images of Earth. 2. The Equator and the Prime Meridian both divide the Earth in half called hemispheres. a) Equator ÷ into north and south hemispheres. b) Prime Meridian ÷ into east and west. B. Maps

Ch. 1, L2 The Geographer’s Tools 1. Maps are flat representations of the round Earth. 2. Maps convert, or change, a round space into a flat space. a) They distort physical reality, or show it incorrectly. 3. Maps have several advantages over globes. a) Maps can show part of the world. b) Maps provide more detail than globes. 4. Maps tend to show more kinds of information than globes. a) Maps show major political and physical features. II. All About Maps

Ch. 1, L2 The Geographer’s Tools A. Parts of a Map 1. The map title tells what area the map will cover. a) The title also identifies what kind of information will be shown. b) The key or map key explains the symbols, colors, and lines on a map. c) The scale bar tells how a measured space on the map corresponds to actual distances on Earth. d) The compass rose shows direction. B. Map Projections 1. To convert the round Earth to a flat map, geographers use map projections.

Ch. 1, L2 The Geographer’s Tools a) A map projection distorts some aspects of Earth in order to represent other aspects as accurately as possible on a flat map. 2. Some projections break apart the world’s oceans. 3. Mapmakers, known as cartographers, choose which projection to use based on the purpose of the map. C. Map Scale 1. Scale is the relationship between distances on the map and on Earth. 2. Maps are either large scale or small scale. a) A large-scale map shows a small area with a large amount of detail. b) A small-scale map shows a large area with a small amount of detail.

Ch. 1, L2 The Geographer’s Tools D. Types of Maps 1. The two types of maps are general purpose and thematic. a) General-purpose maps show a wide range of information on an area. 2. Political maps show country and or state boundaries and cities. 3. Physical maps display natural features such as mountains, valleys, rivers, and lakes. a) Many physical maps show elevation, or how much above or below sea level a feature is. b) Colors are used to show elevation.

Ch. 1, L2 The Geographer’s Tools 4. Physical maps usually show relief, or the difference between the elevation of one feature and the elevation of another feature near it. a) Elevation is an absolute number, but relief is relative. 5. Thematic Maps show more specialized information. a) Vegetation Maps b) Land-use Maps c) Road Maps d) Etc. III. Geospatial Technologies A. Global Positioning System (GPS) 1. Technology is any way scientific discoveries are applied to practical use. 2. GPS devices work with a network called the Global Positioning System (GPS).

Ch. 1, L2 The Geographer’s Tools 3. GPS has three elements a) 30 satellites that orbit the Earth constantly. b) The control system of technicians who make sure the satellites are on course and are functioning. c) GPS devices on Earth. B. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 1. Another important geospatial technology is known as a geographic information system (GIS). a) These systems consist of computer hardware and software that gather, store, and analyze geographic information. 2. A GIS is a powerful tool because it links data about all kinds of physical and human features with the locations of those features.

Ch. 1, L2 The Geographer’s Tools 3. People select what features they want to study using the GIS. C. Satellites and Sensors 1. Since the 1970s, satellites have gathered data about Earth’s surface. a) They do so by using remote sensing, which is getting information from far away. b) Ex: weather satellites. 2. Satellites use cameras, thermo-detecting devices, etc. a) Scientists use the information to conserve plant or animal life. b) They also gather information to plan land use. D. Limits of Geospatial Technology 1. By itself, this information needs to be mixed in with the cultures and people that live in these places.