How Geographers Look at the World

Why is it important? The World in spatial terms The World in spatial terms How people, places, and environments are distributed on Earth’s surface How people, places, and environments are distributed on Earth’s surface Places and Regions Places and Regions How humans interact w/the physical environment How humans interact w/the physical environment Regions w/common features Regions w/common features Culture=perception Culture=perception

Important (Cont.) Physical System Physical System What shapes the Earth What shapes the Earth Ecosystems and Environmental issues Ecosystems and Environmental issues Human Systems Human Systems Humans and their effect on the land Humans and their effect on the land Culture’s influence on humans Culture’s influence on humans Economic interdependence Economic interdependence Conflict Conflict

Importance (Cont.) Environment and Society Environment and Society Humans affect their environment Humans affect their environment Environment affects people’s actions Environment affects people’s actions Use of natural resources Use of natural resources Why use it? Why use it? Interpret the PAST, understand the PRESENT, and Plan for the FUTURE Interpret the PAST, understand the PRESENT, and Plan for the FUTURE

The Geography Skills Handbook Globe v. map Globe v. map Globe = scale model of the Earth Globe = scale model of the Earth Map = Symbolic representation of the planet Map = Symbolic representation of the planet Cartographers make maps Cartographers make maps Great Circle Route Great Circle Route Using a globe and a string cartographers find the shortest distance from one place to another Using a globe and a string cartographers find the shortest distance from one place to another

Map Projection Types Planar Projection Planar Projection Earth is centered so that a straight line from the center to any other point is the shortest distance Earth is centered so that a straight line from the center to any other point is the shortest distance Good for mapping the poles Good for mapping the poles

Projections (Cont) Cylindrical Cylindrical Tracing a globe onto a cylinder; accurate near the equator Tracing a globe onto a cylinder; accurate near the equator

Projections (Cont) Conic Projection Conic Projection Results from placing a cone over part of the globe; looks at East/West not far from the Equator Results from placing a cone over part of the globe; looks at East/West not far from the Equator

Most Common Projection Types Winkel-Tripel Winkel-Tripel Balance b/t size and shape of landmass Balance b/t size and shape of landmass

Common Projection Types (Cont) Goode’s Interrupted Equal Area Projection Goode’s Interrupted Equal Area Projection Globe that has been cut apart and laid flat. Globe that has been cut apart and laid flat. Not good measure of distance Not good measure of distance

Common Projection Types (Cont) Robinson Projection Robinson Projection Eastern and Western edges accurate Eastern and Western edges accurate Outlines of the continents accurate too Outlines of the continents accurate too

Common Projection Types (Cont) Mercator Projection Mercator Projection Good for sea Travel Good for sea Travel

Location Grid System Grid System Lines on globes and maps that cross one another, forming a pattern Lines on globes and maps that cross one another, forming a pattern Absolute location Absolute location Global address; where the lines of latitude and longitude cross Global address; where the lines of latitude and longitude cross Latitude- run parallel to the equator and determine the distance of N/S Latitude- run parallel to the equator and determine the distance of N/S Longitude- circle the Earth from Pole to Pole Longitude- circle the Earth from Pole to Pole Measure East/West from the Prime Meridian or 0° Longitude Measure East/West from the Prime Meridian or 0° Longitude 180° either way from PM = International Date Line 180° either way from PM = International Date Line

Hemispheres There are 4: There are 4: Northern- Everything North of the Equator Northern- Everything North of the Equator Southern- Everything South of the Equator Southern- Everything South of the Equator Eastern- Everything East 180° of PM Eastern- Everything East 180° of PM Western- Everything West 180° of PM Western- Everything West 180° of PM

Political v. Physical Maps Political- human-made; countries, states, cities, capitals, towns, etc. Political- human-made; countries, states, cities, capitals, towns, etc. Physical Maps- location and topography of the Earth’s physical features Physical Maps- location and topography of the Earth’s physical features Can use relief (differences) in elevation (height) of landforms Can use relief (differences) in elevation (height) of landforms

Political v. Physical (Cont)

Thematic Maps Qualitative- Qualities of a given area Qualitative- Qualities of a given area Flow-line- used to indicate movement Flow-line- used to indicate movement

The Geographer’s Craft: Main Elements World in Spatial Terms- link b/t people and places World in Spatial Terms- link b/t people and places Absolute and relative location give geographers unique information between the site and situation of a place Absolute and relative location give geographers unique information between the site and situation of a place

Site Site Site Specific location including its physical setting Specific location including its physical setting EX: Miami is in Southeastern Florida, facing the Atlantic Ocean EX: Miami is in Southeastern Florida, facing the Atlantic Ocean Situation Situation Relative location Relative location Ex: Miami is a city in Southeastern Florida Ex: Miami is a city in Southeastern Florida

Place A particular location with both physical and human meaning A particular location with both physical and human meaning Grouped into regions based on their similarities Grouped into regions based on their similarities Formal- common characteristic (Rust Belt) Formal- common characteristic (Rust Belt) Functional- central place w/surrounding areas linked to it Functional- central place w/surrounding areas linked to it Perceptual- defined by popular beliefs (heartland) Perceptual- defined by popular beliefs (heartland)

Uses and Research Methods Insight- clues as to how things developed Insight- clues as to how things developed Direct observation- visit a place to get specific info Direct observation- visit a place to get specific info Interviewing- find out how people feel about a certain place Interviewing- find out how people feel about a certain place Statistical Analysis- temp, rainfall, snow, etc. Statistical Analysis- temp, rainfall, snow, etc. Geographical Information Systems (GIS)- computer tools that process and organize info taken from satellite images Geographical Information Systems (GIS)- computer tools that process and organize info taken from satellite images EX: building roads, tracking movement of wildlife pop. EX: building roads, tracking movement of wildlife pop.