1. Introduction to Geography

2. I am a Geographer Journal
How do you use geography every single day at home &/or school? Be specific and explain!
What tools do you use when you study geography? Be specific and explain!
**Remember to put a DATE, TITLE, and PAGE NUMBER for all journal entries. ALWAYS update your table of contents.

3. INTRO TO GEO NOTES
Geography is a description of the earth and the things on it….
Physical
Human
What is geography?
A description of the earth
But, the earth is a huge place to describe
As a result, geographers divide this description into 6 groups or elements

4. Direct Observation – visiting a region, aerial photos & satellite
TOOLS OF GEO:
Direct Observation – visiting a region, aerial photos & satellite
Mapping / Cartography – study & making maps
Statistics - math
Technology
Graphic information systems (GIS)
Definition: computer systems that store and analyze geographic data
Global Positioning system (GPS)
Definition: a system that uses satellites and receivers to determine absolute location
Insert a picture of one of the geographic features of your country.

5. FIVE THEMES OF GEOGRAPHY
The earth is HUGE! So geographers divide this description into groups called the Five Themes of Geography

6. 2. Relative Location: about where something is?
Where is it?
1. Absolute Location: exactly where something is.
Ex: address, latitude and longitude
2. Relative Location: about where something is?
Southwest, Converse

7. 2. Place What is it like there? Physical Characteristics
Human Characteristics

8. 3. Region Areas united by similar features
How are areas similar and different?
Ex: climate, Latin America
Can be uniform or functional

9. 3. Formal and Functional and Perceptual Regions
There are three types of regions:
Formal: clear boundaries, defined by human or physical characteristic
**ex: common government, Rocky Mountains
Functional- area defined by one function that can cross political boundaries; area organized around focal point
** ex: highway systems, river drainage basin
Perceptual: based on people’s attitudes and emotions about a place (may not be based on fact)
** ex: “Deep South” or “The Big Apple” (New York City)
Formal
Functional

10. 4. Movement -IDEAS -PEOPLE -GOODS How are people and places connected?
How do people shape the earth?
What are reasons for movement?

11. 5. Human Environment Interaction
How does the environment affect Humans?
How do we humans impact the environment?

12. FIVE THEMES PRACTICE
The White House is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
The I-35 Corridor is a major area of trade, travel, and commuting.
If you go to Antarctica, you’d better bring a coat!
San Antonio’s Riverwalk, the Alamo, and the Hemisphere tower are well known landmarks.
The Japanese tsunami caused a nuclear meltdown that made thousands evacuate the area.
When I think of the “West” I usually think of everything west of the Rockies.
In many of the countries colonized by Spain, they speak Spanish and practice Catholicism.
The Gulf states share the same coastline.
I live in Converse which is next to Randolph Air force Base.

13. EXIT DISCUSSION: “L”
List AT LEAST THREE different things you learned today about Geography that you did not know before in the L of your KWL charts from DAY TWO.
IF YOU WERE NOT HERE: Just tell me three things you learned about geography.

14. Why is Geography important?

15. Meridian (Longitude) Lines that run north and south or vertical
0 degrees called Prime Meridian
Goes through Greenwich, England
Opposite end called “International Date Line” and found at 180 degrees
Time is measured using meridians
Every 15 degrees (east or west) equals one hour of time
Insert a picture illustrating a season in your country.

16. Parallels (Latitude)
Imaginary lines that run west to east or horizontal
0 degrees latitude called equator
Two other major parallels are the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn

17. Grid
Combining Longitude and Latitude allow people to identify exact locations of places on the earth (absolute location)
(DON’T COPY below)
Example:
Denver is found at 39 degrees North Latitude and 104 degrees West Longitude

18. Longitude and Time
24 time zones were created by dividing 15 degrees (1 hour) into the total amount of Degrees in latitude (360)
The time at 0 degrees longitude is known as Greenwich Mean Time or Universal Time
When crossing the International Date Line you must either move your clock forward by 24 hours (heading west) or set your clock by 24 hours (heading east)

19. a 3-D representation of the earth
What is a map?
A generalized view of an area, usually some portion of Earth’s surface, as seen from above at a greatly reduced size
What is a Globe?
a 3-D representation of the earth
Add key points in the history of your country to the timeline.

20. Why make maps and not use globes?
Insert a picture illustrating a custom or tradition here.

21. Represent a larger area
Insert a picture of the head leader of your country.

22. Shows what we cannot see
Insert a picture that illustrates some part of your country’s economy.

23. How do we read maps?
Size of the map relative to reality (scale)
What’s on the map (symbolization)
Shape of the map (projection)
Direction of a map (compass)
What the map is about (title)

24. Map Scale

25. Ratio of the distance on the map to the distance on the ground
Map Scale-
Ratio of the distance on the map to the distance on the ground
Large Scale
Small Scale

26. Reading a Map
Key: explains what the symbols stand for
Compass Rose: marker that indicates directions
Scale Bar: shows the relationship between map measurements and actual distances

27. Boundary Lines
Key
Cities
Scale Bar
Compass Rose

28. A map projection is the shape of a map and has distortions (mistakes).

29. Conic Projection: Distances and directions are fairly accurately
Conic Projection: Distances and directions are fairly accurately. This projection is best for showing limited east-west areas that are not too far from the Equator.

30. Pseudo cylindrical
Pseudocylindrical projections represent the central meridian (verical lines of longitude) and each parallel (horizontal lines of latitude) as a single straight line segment, but not the other meridians.
A sinusoidal projection shows relative sizes accurately, but grossly distorts shapes. Distortion can be reduced by "interrupting" the map.

31. Mercator Projection
Projection distorts size and distance as it moves away from the Equator. These projections do accurately show true directions & shapes of landmasses, making these maps useful for sea travel.

32. Robinson Projection
Projection has minor distortions; the size & shapes near the eastern and western edges of the map are accurate. Polar areas appear somewhat distorted. Main map used in your text book

33. Types of Maps Thematic maps: show a particular theme or topic.
Geographers can use these maps to illustrate various features of Earth’s surface.
Such features include:
Landforms: mountains, hills, plains and plateaus
Climate: long term weather patterns or rainfall
Natural Vegetation: plant life that grows in a certain area if people have not change the natural environment
Resources of an area

34. Special Purpose Maps emphasize a single idea or particular kind of information about an area. The colors and symbols represent the location or distribution of activities / resources.

35. Physical Maps show the location and the topography (shape) of earth’s physical features. Usage of different colors or patterns indicate relief.
Political Maps show the boundaries between countries. These maps often show human-made features such as capitals, cities, roads and railroads.

40. What are some visual ways to look at Data?
Graphs, Charts, and Tables
Graph: a visual presentation of information
Charts and Tables: facts displayed in a way that makes comparisons easy
Diagram: a drawing

41. Graphs 4 basic types of Graphs Visual presentation of information
Generally consists of two axis in order to compare data
4 basic types of Graphs
Line
Bar
Circle
Pictograph

42. Line Graph Change of two sets of variables over time
Allows for the study of trends and changes

43. Bar Graph
Shows comparisons
Generally shows differences in quantities

44. Circle Graph/Pie Graph
Shows relationship of parts to the whole
Percentages are indicated by size (Sometimes color)

45. Pictograph
Similar to a bar graph
Uses pictures to represent a subject

46. Charts and Tables Data arranged in columns or rows
Facts displayed in an organized manner

47. Diagram
Drawing
Shows what something is
How something is done

48. 5 Themes Review: MR H/ELP
Converse, TX is next to Randolph Air Force Base.
My publishing company ships textbooks all over the world.
Southwest Airlines has interconnected travel routes all over the U.S.
India is a tropical place with beautiful architecture.
The river area needed electricity so we built a dam to generate power.
NAFTA is a trade alliance that links Canada, the U.S., and Mexico.

49. Map Projections Journal
Using your notes, explain what a map projection is and why they sometimes are not accurate.
Also using your notes, explain which one of the map projections you would use for a road trip across the United States and why.