Warm-Ups 1. Which of the following states borders Georgia? A.Mississippi B.Virginia C.Louisiana D.Florida 2. One reason people might want to live in Georgia is that? A.The climate is the same throughout the state. B.The winters are mild. C.There is little rain in the Blue Ridge Mountains. D.The summers are cold.

Chapter One Let’s Talk Geography

What is Geography? The word geography comes from two Greek words – “geo” for earth and “graphia” for write about. So that means the word geography means to write about the earth. But geographers do more than write; they study the physical and cultural features on or near the earth’s surface.

The Study of Geography Physical Features are those that occur naturally, such as mountains, rivers, and oceans Can you think of anymore physical features that appear in Georgia? Cultural Features are those created by people, such as boundaries, towns and roads What cultural features are created in Georgia?

What you need to know about Geography When Geographers discuss the earth, they often use the five basic themes of geography –Location – Where places are located on earth’s surface –Place – physical and human characteristics of place –Relationships or Human Environment Interaction – interaction of people and environment –Movement – movement and interaction of people –Regions – areas with similar characteristics

What is Geology? In Greek, Geology means study of the earth Geology is the study of the origin, characteristics, and location of nonliving materials that make up the earth. Geologists are interested in rocks, minerals, fossils, mountains, earthquakes, and volcanoes.

Is it Geology or Geography? Why are there no mountain in south Georgia? How have Georgia’s marble and granite quarries been important to the state? Why are different types of soil in Georgia Why has agriculture been so important in Georgia throughout the years? Why do few earthquakes occur in Georgia? Why are there so few or no oil deposits in Georgia? Why did the discovery of gold contribute to the removal of the Cherokee Indians from Georgia?

So what is the difference Geographers are more interested in the principal features on or near the earth’s surface. –They are interested in vegetation, climate, ocean currents, ecology, anthropology, history, economics, culture, technology and politics. –They examine how these conditions have affected human life and they analyze how humans have tried to shape their environment. Geologist are more interested in items that come from inside the earth.

A look at Georgia’s Location Relative Location refers to the position of one place in relation to another. A good way to express relative location is by using cardinal and intermediate directions. Absolute Location refers to the exact spot on the earth’s surface where a place is found. To help find absolute location, geographers use an imaginary grid with coordinates

Absolute Location Absolute Location is best used for navigation, military targets, responding to police and fire calls and boundary lines. An easier way to think of absolute location is an address. Our school has an absolute location of –1555 Owens Store Road Canton, GA –There are no other places in this county or town with that same address

But how do we identify an absolute location of a mountain? We use an imaginary grid the geographers of tool of latitude and longitude. Latitude – is the parallel lines that determine the location from 0° to 90° north and south of the equator Longitude – the lines that determine location from 0° to 180° east and west of the Prime Meridian. When the address is written out it is known as coordinates

Math Terms Geographers Use Sphere – while the earth is round like a circle because it is a three dimensional object it is known as a sphere Degrees – because the earth is a sphere like a circle it can be divided into equal divisions known as degrees. 1° - equals 1/360 Minutes – degrees are further divided into smaller units called minutes. 1° = 60’ Seconds – minutes are divided into the smallest parts of a circle, called seconds. 1’ = 60”

Absolute Location 34°14’12”N 84°29’27”W Relative Location south of Pickens, west of Forsyth and Dawson, north of Cobb and Fulton, and east of Bartow. What are the Absolute and Relative Locations of Cherokee County?

Chapter Two The Land of Georgia