Geography

What is Geography? Geography is the study of the Earth’s: Geography is the study of the Earth’s: – Surface – Climate – Continents – Countries – People

5 Themes of Geography Location Location Place Place Human/Environment Interaction Human/Environment Interaction Movement Movement Regions Regions

1. Location A. Absolute Location- Every point on Earth has a specific location that is determined by an imaginary grid of lines denoting latitude and longitude. A. Absolute Location- Every point on Earth has a specific location that is determined by an imaginary grid of lines denoting latitude and longitude.

Latitude vs. Longitude Latitude- distance in degrees north or south of the Equator (0˚). Latitude- distance in degrees north or south of the Equator (0˚). Latitude lines are horizontal lines on a map; also called “parallels.” Latitude lines are horizontal lines on a map; also called “parallels.”

Latitude vs. Longitude Longitude- distance in degrees east or west of the Prime Meridian (0˚) Longitude- distance in degrees east or west of the Prime Meridian (0˚) Longitudinal lines are the vertical lines on a map. Longitudinal lines are the vertical lines on a map.

Relative Location B. Relative Location- is described by landmarks, time, direction or distance from one place to another & may associate one place with another. B. Relative Location- is described by landmarks, time, direction or distance from one place to another & may associate one place with another. --The Grand Canyon is located 3 hours north/northwest of the Phoenix valley.

2. Place Place is characteristics that distinguish one place on the globe from another. Place is characteristics that distinguish one place on the globe from another. There are 1) Physical & 2) Human Place There are 1) Physical & 2) Human Place

Physical & Human Characteristics of Place Physical- These characteristics include; mountains, rivers, soil, beaches, wildlife, weather, temperature, etc. Physical- These characteristics include; mountains, rivers, soil, beaches, wildlife, weather, temperature, etc. Human- Explain the culture, houses, lifestyles, traditions, buildings, religion, language, etc. Human- Explain the culture, houses, lifestyles, traditions, buildings, religion, language, etc.

3. Human/Environment Interaction (HEI) A. Humans adapt to the environment. A. Humans adapt to the environment. – Wearing shorts in summer & coats in winter. B. Humans modify the environment. B. Humans modify the environment. – Dig a hole for a house or cut down trees for farms C. Humans depend on the environment. C. Humans depend on the environment. – Fresh water to drink or oil for fuel and thousands of other products

Hoover Dam

4. Movement Movement is migration or transportation of people, resources, products, plants, animals, & information/ideas from one location to another location. Movement is migration or transportation of people, resources, products, plants, animals, & information/ideas from one location to another location.

5. Region Region is an area of the earth’s surface defined by similar characteristics. Region is an area of the earth’s surface defined by similar characteristics.

Region continued It is easier to study a larger place with common human or physical characteristics. It is easier to study a larger place with common human or physical characteristics. –Easier to look at 7 cultural regions rather then the 50 states –Easier to look at 7 continents rather than 210+ countries

Maps

Political Maps   Shows political boundaries such as countries & states   Gives locations of major cities   Includes significant bodies of water   Black lines are used to help define borders

Political Map

Physical Maps  Shows country borders, major cities and significant bodies of water  Indicate the location of landforms like: Deserts Deserts Mountains Mountains Plains Plains

Physical Map

Reference/Theme Maps  Shows collected data on a map such as: Population Population Economics Economics Oil Oil Politics Politics

Reference Maps

Map components Every map must have: Every map must have: ScaleScale TitleTitle Compass RoseCompass Rose Legend/KeyLegend/Key Clear labelsClear labels ColorColor CleanClean Latitude & longitudeLatitude & longitude