1. Unit 1: Introduction
Geography

2. Define: Geography
The study of people, their environment, and their resources

3. The 5 basic themes of geography are:
Location
Place
Interactions between people and their environment
Movement
Region

4. Location Exact Location: Definition:
Absolute point of reference; never changes
Definition:
Position of a place on the earth’s surface

5. Definitions Define Latitude:
Map reference lines which measure distances North or South of the equator
Define Equator:
Zero degrees latitude. Map reference that divides the earth into North and South hemispheres

6. Definitions Define Longitude:
Map reference lines which measure distance East or West of the prime meridian
Define Prime Meridian:
Zero degrees longitude. Map reference line which divides the earth in East and West hemispheres

7. Relative Location: The description of a place in terms of another place
Described in terms of physical and human characteristics
Physical – landforms, climate, soil
Human – way of life, activities, language
Region:
An area in the world with its own unifying characteristics
physical, cultural, economical

8. Maps Define Cartography: The science or art of map making
Define Map Projections:
Ways of showing the curved earth on a flat surface

9. All map projections have distortion – Why?
When going from a curved to a flat surface; area, shape and distance do not remain constant

10. Political maps show…
Man made features such as borders, cities, and schools
Physical maps show…
Natural features such as mountains, lakes, and rivers
Some examples of specialized maps are: maps that emphasize one area or one view over another

11. Climate Define Climate:
The average weather of a place over years
Anything shorter is “weather”
The two factors which determine a region’s climate are:
Elevation
2. Location

12. Define Desert/Arid:
Hot and dry
Less than 5 inches of rain per year

13. Define Rainforest/Tropical:
Hot and humid
About 100 inches of rainfall per year

14. Define Temperate:
Moderate climate
Warm summers
Cool winters

15. Define Wet/Dry: Hot, wet summers Warm, dry winters
About 50 inches of rainfall per year

16. Define Polar/Arctic:
Cold all year
About 8 inches of rainfall per year

17. Define Topography:
The physical features of a place or region

19. Mountains:
High, steep, rugged land area that rises sharply above the surrounding landscape

21. Hill:
Area of raised land that is lower and more rounded than a mountain

23. Plain:
Broad area of fairly level land that is usually close to sea level

25. Plateau:
Large area of high land that is flat and gently rolling

27. Bay:
Part of a body of water that is partly enclosed by land

29. Cape:
Narrow body/point of land that extends into a body of water

31. Delta:
Area formed by soil deposited at the mouth of a river

33. Isthmus:
Narrow strip of land joining two large land areas or joining a peninsula to a mainland

35. Lake:
Body of water surrounded by land

37. Peninsula:
Piece of land that is surrounded by water on three sides

39. Strait:
Narrow channel that connects two larger bodies of water

41. Island:
Area of land surrounded by water on all sides

43. Archipelago:
Chain of islands