World Geography Chapter 1 & 2 Ch. 1 – Studying Geography Ch. 2 – Earth In Space

Geography ► Geography – the study of everything on earth. ► 2 main branches of Geography  Human Geography ► The study of how people and their activities vary from place to place.  Physical Geography ► The study of how Earth’s natural features vary from place to place.

Uses of Geography ► Cartography  The branch of geography that studies maps and mapmaking.  Computers have revolutionized map production.  The U.S. Geological Survey is the largest employer of cartographers. ► Meteorology  The field of geography that specializes in weather and weather forecasting.  The person providing information on the nightly news is a meteorologist.

The Six essential elements ► 1. The World in Spatial Terms  a. Focus on spatial perspective.  a. Focus on spatial perspective. how to use the map with absolute and relative location places and regions ► 2. Places and Regions  a. How we perceive various regions ► 3. Physical Systems  a. The Earth’s Physical features (mountains, oceans, hurricanes) ► 4. Human Systems  a. All about the people ► 5. Environment and society  a. How we interact with the environment ► 6. The Uses of Geography  a. Helps us to understand relationships among different peoples past and present as well as the physical make up of our planet.

Geography Terms ► Grid – Pattern of lines that circle the globe in east-west and north-south directions. ► Latitude – lines drawn in an east-west direction and measure distance north & south of the equator. ► Longitude – lines of longitude are drawn in a north-south direction and measure distance east and west of the Prime Meridian. ► Equator – imaginary line that circles the globe halfway between the North Pole & South Pole.

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Geography Terms ► Parallels – Another name for lines of latitude. They are always parallel to the equator. Parallels north of the equator are labeled with an N, and those south of the equator are labeled with an S. ► Meridians – Another name for lines of longitude. ► Prime Meridian – imaginary line that runs through Greenwich, England, from the North Pole to the South Pole. ► Degrees – Measurement used when using latitude & longitude. Symbol for degrees is °

Geography Terms ► Hemispheres – The world is divided into 4 hemispheres. The equator divides the earth into a Northern & Southern Hemisphere. The Prime Meridian divides the earth into a Eastern & Western Hemispheres. ► Continents – The earth’s land surfaces are organized into 7 continents. North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and Antarctica. ► Oceans – The largest division of water surfaces. There are 5 major oceans. Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, Arctic Ocean and Southern Ocean.

Maps ► Atlas – book of maps. ► Map Projection – projecting round earth on a flat map. ► Types of Maps  Physical, Political, Special Purpose, etc. ► Map Tools:  Directional Indicator – shows which directions are north, south, east, & west.  Compass Rose – A directional indicator that has arrows that point to all four principal directions.  Scales – used to represent distances between points on a map.  Legend or Key – explains what the symbols on the map represent.

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Solar System ► The Solar system is the sun and the group of bodies that revolve around it. ► Almost all of Earth’s energy comes form the sun ► Satellites – A body that orbits a larger body. Moons are natural satellites

The Sun, the Earth, and the Moon ► The diameter of the Earth is about 8,000 miles. ► The diameter of the Sun is about 865,000 miles. ► The Moon is 240,000 miles from the Earth. ► The Earth’s orbit averages about 93 million miles from the Sun.

The Solar System ► Rotation  One complete spin of the Earth on its axis. Takes 24 hours.  Solar energy hits only the half of the earth that is facing the sun. ► Revolution  Earths movement around the sun. Takes 365 ¼ days to complete one revolution. ► Earth’s Tilt  Earth is tilted at 23 ½ degree angle.  North polar axis always points towards the North Star. ►

Seasons ► Tropics – low latitude areas near the equator that receives great amounts of solar energy year round. ► Polar Regions – high latitude areas that are cold most of the year, because they do not receive great amounts of solar energy. ► Seasons – Northern and Southern Hemispheres have opposite seasons, because they receive direct solar rays at different times of the year (due to tilt of earth). ► Solstice – occurs twice a year. Time when earths poles point toward or away from the sun more than at any other time. (Occur around Dec. 21 & June 21) ► Tropic of Capricorn – Latitude in S. Hemisphere. Receives suns most direct rays during the December Solstice. ► Tropic of Cancer – Latitude in N. Hemisphere. Receives suns most direct rays during the June Solstice. ► Equinox – Occurs twice a year. Earth’s poles are not pointed toward or away from the sun. Night and day are equal (12 hours each). Occurs around March 21 & Sept. 22

Seasons

Solstice

Tides

The Earth System ► Earth System – Interactions of elements on and around our planet ► Broken into 4 parts  Atmosphere – layer of gases that surround earth  Lithosphere – Surface of the planet  Hydrosphere – all the water of the planet  Biosphere – Part of the earth where all plant and animal life exists

The Earth System