Tools of Geography/Our Planet Earth Study Guide

The imaginary east-west circles parallel to the Equator are called latitude lines. 2. The hottest layer of the Earth is called the inner core. 3. This imaginary line is halfway between the North and South Pole and circles the globe at 0 degrees. Equator 4. The thinnest layer of the Earth is called the crust. 5. Geography is the study of the human and non-human features of Earth, our home. 6. The body of air that surrounds our planet made of 79% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and trace amounts of other gases is called atmosphere.

7. Degrees are units that measure angles. 8. Describe the biosphere. It is composed of all living organisms. Plants, animals, bacteria, etc. 9. Define geographer. A geographer studies how the Earth and its people affect each other. The round model of the earth that shows the continents and oceans in their true shape is called a globe. 11. What is a projection? Are ways to map Earth on a flat surface. 12. The size of an area on a map as compared with the area’s actual size is called scale.

13. What is distortion? The loss of accuracy in the size or position of objects on a map. 14. The Prime Meridian is the imaginary line that circles the globe from north to south at 0 degrees. 15. Cardinal directions are north, south, east, and west. 16. The solid, rocky crust covering the entire planet is called the lithosphere. 17. The section of a map that explains symbols and shading on a map is called the (map) key. 18. Describe the hydrosphere. It includes oceans, rivers, lakes, even the moisture in the air.

19. What is a compass rose? A diagram of a compass showing direction. 20. These imaginary lines run parallel north-south to the Prime Meridian longitude lines. 21. What are the two basic questions that geographers always ask when studying the Earth? Where something is located? Why is it there? 22. What are the two types of crust? Continental crust and oceanic crust 23. Lines of latitude and longitude help geographers identify exact location.

24. The temperature of Earth increases as you move from the crust to the core. 25. The famous scientist, Alfred Wegener, founded the theory of the Continental Drift. 26. What is absolute location? Describes a place’s exact position on Earth in terms of latitude and longitude. 27. Divergent, convergent, and transform are the three main types of plate boundaries. 28. What are the Five Themes of Geography? location, place, region, movement, human-environment interaction

29. What are the four spheres of the Earth 29. What are the four spheres of the Earth? Atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere 30. What is a physical map? It shows physical, or natural features such as rivers, hills, mountains, oceans, etc.

crust mantle outer core inner core

A diagram of a compass showing direction Compass Rose A diagram of a compass showing direction

Lines of latitude Lines of longitude