World Geography Chapter 1 How Geographers Look at the World

Section 1 Themes of Geography

Five Themes of Geography Greek word geographia A “description of the earth” Location Where is it? Absolute Location Its precise position on the globe They use imaginary lines to determine absolute location Latitude and Longitude Creates hemisphere two halves

Location (Con’t) Latitude Longitude Circle earth parallel to the equator measuring North and South Equator 0º latitude Poles are 90º (North) and 90º (south) Latitude Longitude Lines from pole to pole measuring east or west from Prime Meridian Prime Meridian is over Greenwich, England

Location (Con’t) Absolute location Relative Location Gives the exact location Dallas, Texas 36ºN, 144ºW Relative Location Mostly used by standard people Where it is in relationship to a person, place or thing Ex. Ash Grove is NW of Springfield Campbell 16 is across from McDonald’s off of Campbell Ave.

Place What is it like there? Type of land, water, weather, soil, plant and animal life Also human activities and culture

Human/Environment Interaction What is the relationship between people and their environment? Why do people visit Hawaii instead of Alaska? How do humans adapt? How have they damaged the environment?

Movement Region How are people and places connected? Interested in the movement of goods, information and ideas Region Description of areas based on different characteristics Midwest called the Bread Basket Gulf Coast

Geography and Other Subjects Science and technology Scientific method GIS GPS Google Earth History and political science Historical designs Past leaders Political boundaries

Geography and Other Subjects (Con’t) Sociology and Anthropology Study of society and culture Economics How the location of resources affects the way people make, transport and use goods

Map Essentials Key Scale Compass Rose Latitude Longitude Explains the symbols on a map Unlocks the meanings of the map Scale Used to determine size of map Hawaii map vs. Missouri map Compass Rose Used to determine direction Latitude Longitude

Map Types General purpose maps Physical Map Political Physical features of Earth’s surface Political Countries, states, cities, capitals, etc. Special Purpose Maps Ex. Natural Resources… Road Maps

Comparing Maps and Globes Taking something round and making it flat Ex. Tennis Ball Orange Great Circle Shortest distance between two spots on earth

Map Projection Mercator Projection Conic Projection Fairly accurate however not with size or distance Specifically at the poles Conic Projection Fairly accurate overall Goode’s Interrupted Equal Area Projection Show’s true size and shape However distances are inaccurate

Map Projections (Con’t) Robinson’s Projection Overall fairly accurate However poles distorted Gall-Peter’s Projection Size accurate Shapes and distances are inaccurate