2. Catch Up Unit 1: Physical Geography
Mr. Monaco

3. What is Geography? 2 Main Branches Why is Geography Important?
Human Geography
Physical Geography
“The Spatial Perspective”
25 Maps that will change how you see the world
Why is Geography Important?
Environmental Determinism
Possibilism
Ethnocentrism
Spatial perspective is a method used in geography to identify, predict and explain the physical and human patterns in space. Caste system example of ethnocentrism
Ashley Henson story

5. Basic Knowledge: Maps Maps = Geographers tools Basic Terms
Axis – 23.5 degrees
Earth moves 1000 mph
Rotation = 23 hours, 56 min., 4.09 sec.(in respect to the stars)
Revolution = days (thus Leap Day)
Hemisphere
Hemi
Sphere
How many? What are continents?

6. Maps cont. Latitudinal Lines/Parallels Longitudinal Lines/Meridians
Most important line?
Which hemispheres?
How many degrees?
231/2 degrees N? 231/2 degrees S?
662/3 degrees N? 662/3 degrees S?
High Latitude vs. Low Latitude? (Middle Latitude)
Based on Latitude Numbers
Longitudinal Lines/Meridians
Most important longitud lines?
Which hemispheres does it create?
How many total degrees?
Where and what is the 180th meridian?

7. Basic Knowledge: Seasons Activity
The earth always points to the same spot in the sky

8. Maps cont. Map components Title – what purpose?
Compass Rose: Cardinal and intermediate
(depends on the projection)
N, S, E, W
NE, SE, SW, NW
NNE, ENE, …
Legend/Key
Scale – Fraction vs. Graphic scales
The ratio of map units to real units
Global, national, regional, local
Large scale vs. Small scale?
How big would your house look on the map????

9. Format of Many pre-1914 German School Atlases
Used in German schools before World War I. Note the use of the fractional scale. Why do you think the fractional scale was used instead of a graphic scale? The fractional scale is not as intuitive and not easy to read. The US and Germany look to be about the same size.

10. Comparative Size of Germany and USA in 1914
If we maintain the same scale for both countries, this is how they compare in size.

11. This map shows the total number of African-Americans per state
This map shows the total number of African-Americans per state. Examine Georgia.

12. In the previous slide, Georgia had one of the highest number of African-Americans, but a closer look tells a different picture. The dark red is the Atlanta metropolitan area.

13. Using Census Tracts of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area, a different scale gives different results.

15. All maps have Distortion
All are distorted – most accurate in center
1. Map Projections
Mercator projection
Robinson projection
Azimuthal or polar projection
Equal Area projection
2. Shortest distance between two points?
Great-circle route

16. Mercator
Good with direction
Bad with sizes and shapes

17. Robinson Projection Compromise b/t size and shape
More accurate overall representation
Golden map for most geographers

18. Azimuthal/Polar Projection
Shows true direction and shape
Distorts size

19. Equal Area Projection
Excellent with size/shape, Bad with direction & distance
Ugly! Splits in map = “interruptions”
Normal/ProjInt/projInt.html

20. Great Circle Route

21. When we can see them, we can study them.
These mushroom spores are too small to see, so we put them under a MICROSCOPE.
How do we bring things that are too small up to a size that we can see and comprehend? We enlarge them with a microscope
When we can see them, we can study them.

22. This planet is too big to see, so we put it under a MACROSCOPE.
What is the problem that all geographers face? We study things that are too large for us to understand, so we need to put them under a macroscope.
When we can see it, we can study it.

23. “Some things are very tiny, and we must use complex electric and optical means (e.g., a microscope) to enlarge them so as to understand their configuration and structural relationships. In contrast, geographical things are so extensive that we must somehow reduce them to bring them into view.”
- Arthur Robinson, cartographer
Microscope vs. macroscope. Arthur Robinson was among the foremost American cartographers of his age (born in 1915 and died in 2004). In this quote, he captures the diea of scale as meta-concept.

24. Draw back farther and you can see the real importance of Istanbul
Draw back farther and you can see the real importance of Istanbul. It occupies the only place in Eurasia where you can pass through the east-west mountain barrier that separates subtropical Europe from northern Europe.

25. Principle: We choose a scale to fit the task
Principle: We choose a scale to fit the task. Satellite image of the division between Europe and Asia. Is this the best map to use to show the site of Istanbul? No, but it helps us to understand the situation of Istanbul.

26. Which one of these is the best for examining the site of Istanbul
Which one of these is the best for examining the site of Istanbul? One is a radar image, the other an aerial photograph.

27. Electoral Maps
Aggregation (The formation of a number of things into a cluster)
Aggregation can obscure regional disparities within certain territories and doesn’t usually include population density among other measures.
Who won the 2000 & 2008 election according to the map? How close was the election?

31. CONSIDER THE MAP The 2008 electoral vote.

32. CONSIDER THE MAP
The
2008
electoral
vote by
county.

34. 2016 Presidential Election

35. 2016 Presidential Election by County