Reading, Understanding & Interpreting Maps Map Quest Unit #1 Reading, Understanding & Interpreting Maps

Colorado Standards Use geographic tools to gather data and make geographic inferences and predictions about the Eastern Hemisphere. Regions have different issues and perspectives. Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis reflection and research

I will be able to explain why and how geographers use maps Learning Targets I will be able to explain why and how geographers use maps I will develop theories about what may cause regions to differ from one another based on: population density, climate, GDP and life expectancy. I will use data from maps to evaluate life in different regions and justify my choice for which continent is the hardest to survive in today.

Directions As you navigate this slide show, read each slide. You will be asked to use online sources and maps contained in this Map Quest to answer a series of questions. You will also be asked to come up with your own theories about life in other parts of the world. Links in this Map Quest will only work if you are viewing it in Slide Show mode. Discuss each question and prompt with your partner. Write each answer on your own sheet of paper. Answers MUST be in RACE format to receive full credit. When you run into a problem, try and problem solve on your own with your partner. Discuss areas where you may have confusion before asking for Ms. Richman or Ms. Ryder’s help. Being able to work through a difficult problem is a life skill!

What do Geographers do? Geographers gather all kinds of information about different places on Earth. Geographers use this information to better understand how people interact with their environment and understand why ways of life differ around the world. Differences in the way people live can be due to climate, disease, access to services and technology, wealth or a range of other variables. If we can understand what causes some regional problems, people can develop solutions or ways to improve life in struggling regions.

You are the Geographer! Geographers (and demographers) collect information about human life. Geographers then use this data to make tables and thematic maps that show how life is different around the world. Maps are visual tools that make it easier to read data and compare regions. You will be the geographer today. Your task is to read maps to better understand and describe the world around you. You will be asked to compare regions and write your own theories based on geographical information.

Part 1: Population Write Part 1 on your paper. Use the maps on the following slides and answer the questions about population.

Part 1: Population What type of information does this map show? According to this map, where do most people in the world live? What do you know about the climate in this part of the world?

Part 1: Population 4) What does this map show? 5) Using only the information in this map, how does the population in the western hemisphere differ from the population in the eastern hemisphere? 6) If you put this map together with the one on latitude, what specific countries have the world’s greatest population?

Part 1: Population This map shows population density. Look up population density and write a definition in your own words. DO NOT COPY the definition. (Click on the link above to look up term)

Part 1: Population 8) Look at the population density map closely. Do more people live along the coasts or in the interior (near the center) of continents? 9) Write a realistic theory for why most people live here. You can use information that we discussed in class about climate or what you know about life in continents. Non-serious answers will not be given credit. Larger Map

Part 1: Population Back to Questions 8 & 9

Part 2: Climate Skip a line and write Part 2 on your paper. Use the maps on the following slides and answer the questions about climate.

Part 2: Climate The next map is a climate zone map. Using information from this map and the population density map, answer the following questions.

Part 2: Climate In which climate zones do most people on the planet live? What climate zone is home to the fewest amount of people? Do you think climate impacts population? Explain why. NOTE: The next two slides are larger versions of the climate and population density maps. Refer back to them as often as possible.

Part 2: Climate

Part 2: Climate

Part 3: Economics Skip a line and write Part 3 on your paper. Use the maps on the following slides and answer the questions about economics. Economics looks at the wealth of a region.

Part 3: Economics The next map shows Gross Domestic Product—or GDP. GDP is the total value of all goods and services produced (made) or provided in a country. The GDP is divided by the number of people living in a country to show how productive a country is in terms of economic growth. When a GDP goes up, the economy is growing. Countries with strong GDP rates, tend to have more wealth ($).

Part 3: Economics

Part 3: Economics 13) Why do you think geographers look at the GDP rates of different countries? 14) Look at the map on the previous slide showing GDP. Which countries have the strongest economy (higher GDP)? 15) Which countries/regions have the weakest economy (lowest GDP)? How does the GDP of China and India compare to the GDP of the United States? Does this surprise you?

Part 4: Life Expectancy Skip a line and write Part 4 on your paper. Use the maps on the following slides and answer the questions about human life expectancy (how long people tend to live).

Part 4: Life Expectancy This map shows human life expectancy (how long people are expected to live in this part of the world.

Part 4: Life Expectancy 17) Where do people live the longest? 18) Where do people have the shortest life span? 19) Think about why regions vary so differently. Look at Africa. Write two realistic theories about why southern Africa has a lower life expectancy than northern Africa. (You do not have to know the “right answer,” you just have to show your thought process).

Part 4: Life Expectancy 20) This map shows infant mortality rates. Write a definition for infant mortality in your own words. You can use geography glossary to help you. 21) Think like a geographer. What are at least 3 reasons why an infant may not survive childhood?

Part 4: Life Expectancy 21) Compare and contrast this map with the life expectancy map that included adults. You can make a T-chart or Venn diagram.

Part 4: Life Expectancy Rates

Wrap it all Up In your opinion, in which inhabited continent (not Antarctica) is survival the most difficult? -Write a complete paragraph (at least 5 sentences) First sentence: Main sentence, restate the question and identify the continent that you are focusing on. Second sentence: Write one statement generally summarizing why life in this continent is hard. Third sentence: Supporting detail/specific fact (use a fact from either the climate map, the population density map, the GDP map, the life expectance map or the infant mortality map). Fourth sentence: Second supporting detail/specific fact (use a fact from either the climate map, the population density map, the GDP map, the life expectance map or the infant mortality map). Fifth sentence: Third supporting detail/specific fact (use a fact from either the climate map, the population density map, the GDP map, the life expectance map or the infant mortality map).