1. Thinking Geographically
Chapter 1

2. Map Scale 3 types of scale: Scale examples
Fractional/Ratio-1/24,000 or 1:24,000 means 1 inch on the map represents 24,000 inches on the ground
Written: 1 inch equals one mile
Bar -
Scale examples
Neighborhood maps, world maps, country maps all have different scales
The scale is determined by the amount of detail shown in a map
Neighborhood maps will have the largest scale, World maps have the smallest scale

3. Scale Differences: Maps of Florida

4. Projection
Since the earth is a 3D object and a map is a 2D object, maps will have distortions
This leads to distortion
Shape, distance, relative size, direction
Types of projections
Robinson, Mercator, Mollweide, Sinusoidal, Goode homolosine,
Robinson is best to show size of the oceans
Mercator has least distortion in shape and direction. Grossly distorted near poles

6. How Geographers Address Location
Contemporary Tools
GIS- layered data to show patterns and relationships (Ian McHarg)
Remote sensing- Satellites that record and map the Earth (mostly environmental but helps with monitoring urban sprawl)
GPS- Precise location provided by satellites (navigation)

7. Uniqueness of Places and Regions
Place: Unique location of a feature
Place names- Lakeland (toponym). Can be named for several reasons
Site- physical character like climate, water, soil, vegetation.
Situation-location to other places. Singapore is a good example.
Mathematical location- GPS coordinates
Greenwich, England
Latitude and longitude provide location
Latitudes are calculated by the sun whereas longitudes are man made
East of international dateline-ahead
West of international dateline-behind

8. World Geographic Grid
Fig. 1-8: The world geographic grid consists of meridians of longitude and parallels of latitude. The prime meridan (0º) passes through Greenwich, England.

9. World Time Zones
Fig. 1-9: The world’s 24 standard time zones are often depicted using the Mercator projection.

10. Uniqueness of Places and Regions
Regions: Areas of unique characteristics
Cultural landscape- regions have distinct characteristics because of social and physical processes and the Earth is shaped by these relationships.
Types of regions- Vernacular, Formal and Functional
Regional integration of culture -Care about/care for help explain why places on the Earth are unique
Cultural ecology-Culture effects the environment
Possibilism versus Environmental determinism

11. Formal and Functional Regions
Fig. 1-11: The state of Iowa is an example of a formal region; the areas of influence of various television stations are examples of functional regions.

12. Vernacular Regions
Fig. 1-12: A number of factors are often used to define the South as a vernacular region, each of which identifies somewhat different boundaries.

13. Physical Processes
Climate- 5 types. People will not live in harsh climates therefore climate influences human activities
Vegetation- 4 types. Mostly influences types of agriculture practiced
Soil-10 orders (not types). Erosion and depletion
Landforms-Geomorphology helps understand the distribution of people and economic activities

14. Similarity of Different Places
Scale: From local to global
Globalization of economy- people can do business anywhere in the world
Globalization of culture- Blue jeans in Japan
Space: Distribution of features
Distribution- arrangement of data
Gender and ethnic diversity in space- both shape the Earth’s surface
Connections between places
Spatial interaction- Faster travel, technology increases interaction over wide distances
Diffusion-something spread over distance
Expansion, contagious and stimulus diffusion

15. Space-Time Compression, 1492–1962
Fig. 1-20: The times required to cross the Atlantic, or orbit the Earth, illustrate how transport improvements have shrunk the world.