The Basics of Geography Back to Basics The Basics of Geography

What does that mean? Continent – large landmass bigger than an island. Country - A region, territory, or large tract of land distinguishable by features of topography, biology, or culture State - one of the constituent units of a nation having a federal government Province - an administrative district or division of a country

What is Geography Geography – (words were derived from the Greek) Geo – the earth Graphy- description of the earth Geography is the study of the earth in all of its variety There are many different types of geography Physical (we study this in class) Cultural Political Just to name a few

What is Geography

Why Study Geography Geography is necessary in our everyday lives. Every time we walk outside, we are entering into a part of geography Getting around the school you use geography You wouldn’t be able to go on vacation without geography

Tell me ways that you use geography in you everyday life. What Do You Think Tell me ways that you use geography in you everyday life.

The Continents There are 7 continents on the Earth’s surface The order in terms of size are Asia Africa North America Each continent contains countries. For example Asia the continent has China as a country. North America the continent has the United States as a country

7 Continents Europe and Asia are sometimes referred to as this? A: Eurasia Millions of years ago the continents were all connected and called this? ________________________ A: Pangea

Tell Me What You Think Which is the country, and which is the continent? Paraguay and South America Asia and Russia Egypt and Africa Europe and Greenland England and Europe

Globes A round scale model of the earth The most accurate way to depict the earth They accurately represent distance and direction (ratio) Discovered by the Greeks

Maps Flat drawing of all or part of the earth’s surface. This is the name of a person who makes maps? A: Cartographer Maps are good because you can show small areas in great details There are many types of maps

Types of Maps Physical Maps Political Maps Special Purpose Maps Interrupted Robinson Mercator Great Circle Relief

Types of Maps Physical & Political Maps are known as __________________ purpose maps. A: General Physical Maps: ____________ shows how flat or rugged the land is. A: Relief ____________ the height above sea-level. (colorful) A: Elevation ____________ also show elevation, however they use lines to display them. (________ lines) A: Contour

Political Maps Generally very bright and colorful Show political boundaries, countries, roads etc.

Special Purpose Maps Maps that talk specifically about one thing. Special purpose maps can be physical and political Examples: Rainfall, population, climate zones, roads etc.

Interrupted Resembles a peeled, flattened orange. Represents continent land area close to true form. Good for comparing land area among continents.

Robinson Maps Minor distortions Land on the Western and Eastern sides of the map appear much as it does on a globe Largest distortions occur in North and South Poles

Mercator Maps Shows true direction and land shapes accurately Size and distance are distorted Areas that are far from the equator are largely distorted usually appearing larger.

Types of Maps Small Scale Maps – Shows very little detail. Large Scale Maps - Show a small area with a lot of detail.

Large Scale Map

Small Scale Map

Large Scale & Small Scale Maps

Parts of a Map There are five parts of a map Title Legend or Key Compass Rose Scale Latitude & Longitude

Title & Key (Legend) Map title tells you what the map is about Example: the Population Distribution of Mexico Key or Legend Tells you what each symbol on a map means

Compass Rose Compass Rose – tells you what direction the map is referring to North does not always have to be toward the top of a page

Cardinal Directions – four main directions, they include North South East West

Direction Intermediate Directions – Directions between the cardinal directions, they include Northeast Southeast Northwest Southwest

Scale Scale – gives the comparison of real distance to the distance on a map. Can be shown by ratio Miles kilometers

Distance Distance on a map is measured by a scale Ratios Kilometers/miles Distance makes the actual distance of an area easy to find.

Hemispheres When you look at the earth, you will find that it is broken into 4 sections. These four sections are known as _______________. A: Hemispheres The four hemispheres are Northern Southern Eastern Western

Latitude & Longitude Latitude & Longitude - helps you find an exact location on a map The lines of latitude and longitude form a grid system Grid systems use letters and numbers and do not give an exact location

Latitude & Longitude Latitude & Longitude are the lines on a map or globe that allows you to find an exact point (location) Lines of Latitude & Longitude criss-cross each other forming a grid.

Latitude Also called parallels Are measured from the equator Equator is 0 degrees latitude North Pole – highest point of latitude is 90 degrees N latitude. South Pole – lowest point of latitude is 90 degrees S latitude. The highest degree of latitude is 90 degrees. Latitude lines measure north or south of the equator

Latitude Tropic of Cancer – 23 ½ degrees North Latitude – This line distinguishes the end of the tropics in the Northern Hemisphere. Tropic of Capricorn – 23 ½ degrees South Latitude – This line distinguishes the end of the tropics in the Southern Hemisphere. Arctic Circle – 66 degrees North latitude Antarctic Circle – 66 degrees South latitude

Longitude Also called meridians Are measured from the Prime Meridian Prime Meridian is 0 degrees Longitude International Dateline is 180 degrees Longitude (time zones) Longitude lines measure left or right of the prime meridian The highest degree of longitude is 180 degrees.

(use pages RA2 & RA3 in textbook) Latitude & Longitude Always say latitude first 45 N, 70 W Now lets practice (use pages RA2 & RA3 in textbook) 23 N, 45 E 66 S, 100 W Oman Antarctic Circle

Hemispheres The four hemispheres are divided by the major lines of Latitude and Longitude. Equator – divides the earth into the ________ & ____________ hemispheres. A: Northern & Southern Prime Meridian – divides the earth into the ___________ & _____________ hemispheres. A: Eastern & Western

Hemispheres Northern Hemisphere – above the equator Southern Hemisphere – below the equator Eastern Hemisphere – Right of the Prime Meridian Western Hemisphere – Left of the Prime Meridian

Time Zones ______________________ starting point for all time zone A: Greenwich Mean Time Ending point for the time zones is ____________________ A: International Dateline Each time zone is 15 Degrees apart on the earth’s surface. ( 0-14, 15-29, 30-44 etc) Going east of GMT, time gets an hour later for each time zone. Going West of GMT, time get an hour earlier for each time zone

Time Zones The re are 4 time zones in the continental United States. Eastern Central Mountain Pacific Alaska & Hawaii are not included in these time zones, they have their own time zones.

Graphs Bar Graphs Line Graphs Circle Graphs/Pie Charts Pictograph