World Geography Chapter 1 Notes Physical Geography Looking at the Earth Geography involves the study of places: their locations, their characteristics, and how humans use and move around them.

The Five Themes of Geography Section 1 The Five Themes of Geography

Geography Geography is the study of Earth and the ways people work & live on it - It focuses on the study of the distribution and interaction of physical features human features on Earth Geographers – people who study the earth.

Geography Geographers look at: - use of space on Earth - interactions that take place there - patterns and connections between people and Land

Geography Geographers use a variety of tools: - maps - photographs - charts, graphs, tables - scale models - five themes of geography

Theme: Location Where is it? Two types of location (Absolute & Relative) Absolute Location – a places precise position on the globe Latitude lines run east to west parallel to the equator and circle the earth (measured north and south from zero to 90 degrees)

Theme: Location Equator is zero degrees latitude and divides the world into two halves - Northern and southern hemispheres

Theme: Location Earth is tilted at 23 ½ degrees (tropics receive the most heat from the sun) - 23 ½ degrees south Tropic of Capricorn - 23 ½ degrees north Tropic of Cancer

Theme: Location Longitude lines or Meridians run north to south & go over the poles - measured east and west from zero to 180 degrees Prime Meridian is zero degrees longitude - Divides the world into Eastern & Western hemispheres - It runs through Greenwich, England Longitude & Latitude Lines Intersect to form a Grid System

Theme: Location Relative Location - where something is in relation to other places - How we give directions

Theme: Place What is it Like? Place includes physical features and cultural characteristics - physical features include climate, landforms, vegetation - cultural characteristics include dams, highways, houses customs, religions, foods, & activities that take place there

Theme: Region How are Places Similar or Different? A region is an area united by similar characteristics Unifying characteristics—physical, political, economic, cultural Three types of regions: - formal - functional - perceptual

Theme: Region Formal Regions - Defined by a limited number of related characteristics Formal regions of the world: - The United States and Canada - Latin America - Europe - Russia and the Republics - Africa - Southwest Asia - South Asia - East Asia - Southeast Asia, Oceania, and Antarctica

Theme: Region Functional Regions - Organized around interactions and connections between places - Example: a city and its suburbs are connected through human movement Perceptual Regions - Region with characteristics people perceive in much the same way - Example: the American Midwest - Sometimes perceptions differ: Does Midwest begin in Ohio or Illinois?

Theme: Human-Environment Interaction How Do People Relate to the Physical World? A relationship exists between people and their environment People use and change the environment to meet their needs People adapt to environmental conditions they cannot change Often, people in similar environments adapt in different ways - Using hot climates near water for recreational activities or farming

Theme: Movement How Do People, Goods, and Ideas Get from One Place to Another? The movement of goods, information, and ideas Geographers use three types of distance to analyze movement - linear distance, time distance, & psychological distance

Theme: Movement Linear distance - how far a person, product, or idea travels Time distance -how long it takes for person, product, idea to travel Psychological Distance - Refers to the way people perceive distance - Example: unfamiliar places may seem farther away than familiar ones Interdependent - where people rely on each other for goods, services , and ideas

The Geographer’s Tools Section 2 The Geographer’s Tools

Maps and Globes Geographers tools include maps, globes, & data that can be displayed in a variety of ways Oldest known map: Babylonian clay tablet, circa 500 B.C. Maps show locations of places, landforms, bodies of water

Two or Three Dimensions Globe—a three-dimensional representation (a sphere) of Earth Most accurate replication of Earth Globes can show the "Great Circle Route" - the shortest distance between any two points on the earth's surface

Two or Three Dimensions Map—a two-dimensional graphic representation of Earth’s surface Cartographer (mapmaker) tries to accurately reflect earth’s surface Map projection way of showing Earth’s curved surface on a flat map Robinson Conical

Parts of a Map Key - explains the symbol used on a map - Star - capital city - Airplane – airport Compass Rose - shows the cardinal directions (north, east, west, south) - May also show the intermediate directions (northwest, northeast, southeast, southwest) - May only show one direction (Location of the other directions can be located in relation to the given direction) Scale - means that a certain measurement on a map represents a certain measurement on the earth's surface.

Types of Maps Three types of maps: general reference, thematic, navigational General reference maps - Political map - Shows the political boundaries of countries and often smaller units such as states - Physical map - shows the relief or difference in elevation or height of landforms in an area - Topographic map—shows natural and man-made features of earth

Types of Maps Thematic map or Special Purpose map - shows specific data such as - Climate - Population density - Road maps - Natural resource maps

Satellite image of Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia

The Science of Mapmaking Surveyors observe, measure, record what they see in a specific area Remote sensing, gathering geographic data from a distance, includes: - aerial photography - satellite imaging

The Science of Mapmaking Best known satellites are Landsat and GOES Landsat is a series of satellites; can scan entire planet in 16 days Geostationary Operational Environment Satellite (GOES): - orbits in sync with Earth’s rotation - gathers images of atmospheric conditions

The Science of Mapmaking Geographic Information Systems Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a digital geographic database - Combines and displays information from many sources

The Science of Mapmaking Global Positioning System (GPS) - Uses series of 24 Navstar satellites to beam information to Earth - Hand-held GPS receivers on Earth display exact position - GPS used by explorers, sailors, drivers; also used to track animals

Geography and Other Subjects Science and technology Geographers observe, hypothesize, and collect data They also use technological tools such as satellite computers and high tech Cameras History and Politics - Geographers use history to help understand how places looked in the past - Political science focuses on places boundaries are formed and changed - Natural environment affects political decisions

Geography and Other Subjects Sociology and Anthropology - Sociology helps geographers understand cultures throughout the world - Study relationships between a places physical environment and its inhabitants social structure - Anthropology helps geographers gain insight into different cultures throughout the world

Geography and Other Subjects Economics - How the location of resources affects the way people transport, and use goods - Concerned with how and where services are provided - Geographers are interested in how locations are chosen for farming, mining, manufacturing, and selling