1. Chapter 1: How Geographers Look at the World
Unit 1: The World
Chapter 1: How Geographers Look at the World

2. Geography Skills Handbook
Why is geography important to our daily lives?
Globes
Scaled model of the Earth. Very little detail.
Taking it from 3-D to 2-D
Use mathematical formulas to transfer information from globe to maps
Works great until you get to poles.
Great Circle Routes- follows the great circle which is an imaginary line that goes around the Earth. Used by ship captains and pilots to reduce travel time.
Tokyo to Las Angeles

3. Projections
There are specific kinds of projections. All projections have distorted information
Projections all focus on one aspect that is accurate
Planar Projection- also called azimuthal. Most accurate at the center. Can draw a line from the center to anywhere at it is the shortest distance. Used for mapping the poles.
Cylindrical Projection- map on a cylinder. Accurate at center. Highly distorted at the poles
Conic Projection- most accurate around the equator. Show limited areas. Good for distance and directions
Winkel Tripel- most world maps are this. Fairly accurate.
Goode’s Interrupted Equal Area- globe cut apart and laid out. Most accurate representation of Earth.
Robinson- minor distortions. Poles are laid flat. Most land accurate.
Mercator- very distorted. Accurate at Equator but not at poles.

4. Longitude Latitude Robinson Projection Mercator Projection World Map
Goode’s Interrupted Equal
Area Projection
Map Projections: Planar,
Conic, and Cylindrical
Latitude
Robinson
Projection
Mercator
Projection
Winkel Tripel
Projection
World Map

5. Geography Skills Handbook
Location and Maps- grid system on the map can help you locate things.
Determining Location
Latitude- parallels. Circle the Earth. Measure distance north and south of Equator. Equator is measured at 0° latitude and the Poles are 90 °
Longitude- Meridians. Circle Earth from pole to pole. Measure distance east and west of Prime Meridian at 0 ° longitude. 180 ° longitude is called the International Date Line and is on the opposite side of the globe.
Global Grid- absolute location can be found for everything using the grid system. Find latitude and longitude. Even narrowed down more by dividing each degree into 60 minutes.
Hemispheres- north, south, east and west.

6. Latitude and Longitude

7. Reading a Map Tools for reading a map- key, scale bar, compass rose
Using a scale- proportional relationship between measurement on a map and the real measurement on Earth’ surface
Small scale- large area with very little detail
Large scale- small area with a lot of detail.
Absolute Location- exact position of a place on earth.
Relative Location- position of a place on earth relative to another.

8. Kinds of Maps Physical Maps- Political Maps Thematic Maps
Location and topography
Water features, landforms,
relief and elevation
Political Maps
Boundaries and location of political units
Human made features
Thematic Maps
Focus on one idea and each serves different purpose.
Qualitative Maps- colors, lines, and symbols to show information..
Flow Line Maps- movement of people, animals, goods and ideas.
Geographic Information Systems
Accept information and put it all in database. Use to make maps.

9. Elements of Geography World in Spatial Terms- Places and Regions
Links that people and places have to each other based on location
Site- specific location of a places- small picture
situation- relative location- big picture
Places and Regions
Formal region- defined by common characteristic. Corn Belt
Functional Region- central place and surrounding area. Metropolitan areas.
Perceptual Region- defined by popular feelings and images. Heartland.
Physical and Human Systems
Different branches.
Physical- climate, land, water, plants, and animals
Human- human activities and relationships to cultural and physical environment.

10. Regions Perceptual Region example Functional Region example
Formal Region example

11. Elements of Geography Environment and Society Research methods
Study of interrelationship between people and environment.
Research methods
Direction Observation- satellite images and aerial photographs.
Mapping- taking information and making it accessible for average person.
Interviewing- talk to sample that represents the whole group
Analyzing Statistics- numerical information to determine rainfall patters, etc.
Using Technology- GIS and computers/satellites.

12. Geography and Other Subjects.
Past Environments and Politics
What places might have looked like. How they were governed.
How natural environment has impacted politics and vice versus.
Society and Culture
Sociology and anthropology used to understand world cultures
Economics
Location of resources affect the way people make, transport, and use goods. interdependence
Geography as a Career
Physical- find work as climate and weather experts or in environmental field
Human- find work in health care, transportation, population studies, economic development