Geography Skill Handbook Finding Location

Methods of Surveying: GPS- Global positioning Satellite- a series of satellites that can determine absolute location. Theodolite- a surveying instrument that measures angles and distances on the earth. Magnetic Compass- uses the magnetic field generated by the earth to determine direction

Scale A mapmaker decides what scale to use based on the amount of detail that is desired. Small scale- shows a large area without much detail. It is often used to show relative location between regions. Large scale- shows a small area with a lot of detail. It is often used to show relative location within a region.

Using the Geographic Grid Latitude- a series of parallel lines that run parallel to the equator. They are often referred to as parallels. They measure 0° - 90°N and 0°-90°S. Longitude- a series of lines that run from the North Pole to the South Pole. They are parallel because the meet at the poles. They are sometimes referred to as meridians. The begin at the Prime Meridian (0°) and measure to 180° East and West. Time is also measured by longitude. Every 15° = 1 hour.

Absolute Location Absolute location can be determined by noting where the longitude and latitude lines cross. Each degree is divided into 60 minutes. 14° 43’ N means 14 degrees and 43 minutes north latitude 17° 28’ W means 17 degrees and 28 minutes west longitude

The Tropics The sun only directly shines on the earth in a 47° area from the Tropic of Capricorn in the Southern Hemisphere to the Tropic of Cancer in the Northern Hemisphere.