1. A Spatial Way of Thinking
CHAPTER 2
A Spatial Way of Thinking

2. Essential Question
Why do geographers use a variety of maps to represent the world?

3. Geoterms Climate: the pattern of weather over a long period of time
Economic Activity: any action that relates to the making, buying, and selling of goods and services
Landform: any natural feature of Earth’s surface that has a distinct shape. Landforms include major features such as continents, plains, plateaus, and mountain ranges. They also include features such as hills, valleys, canyons, and dunes.
Physical Feature: any natural characteristic of Earth’s surface, such as landforms and bodies of water
Population Density: the average number of people who live in a unit of area, such as a square mile. Population density measures how crowded an area is.
Regions: an area defined by one or more natural or cultural characteristics that set it apart from other areas
Thematic Map: a map that shows a particular theme, or topic
Vegetation: all the plants and trees in an area

4. The Geographic Setting: Thematic Maps
Thematic Maps Can Show Physical Geography
Physical Features
Landforms – mountains, valleys, rivers, streams, plains, and plateaus
Climate – determines the types of vegetation that will grow in an area
Thematic Maps Can Show Human Geography
Population Density
Economic Activity
A Map’s Title and Legend State Its Theme

5. Mapping Earth’s Physical Features
Common Landforms
Mountain Ranges
Plateaus
Canyons
Peninsulas
Bodies of Water
Lakes
Oceans
Gulfs
Rivers

6. Hot, Cold, Wet, Dry: Earth’s Climate
Climate Zones
Particular temperature patterns
Precipitation
rain, snow, and other moisture
Climagraph
used to show the average temperature and precipitation in a place over a year
Location Affects Climate
Latitude
most important – tropics, North & South poles
Elevation
high elevations have colder climates
Large bodies of water
Costal areas have even year round temps
More extreme climates are found further inland

7. Trees and Other Plants: Earth’s Vegetation
Vegetation is Adapted to Its Environment
Desert – hot and dry (arid climate)
Cactus and other scrubby brush
Tundra – cold and dry
Small plants, bushes, and wildflowers
Humid Continental– warm, rainy summers and
cool, snowy winters
Fir and pine trees
Global Vegetation Zones
In each zone, a certain mix of plants has adapted
to similar conditions

8. Where People Live: Population Density
Population Density Measures Crowding

9. Economic Activity: Land and Resources
Land Use Shows How People Make a Living
Land Use
Farming
Grazing flocks of cattle, goats, and sheep
Mining
Natural Resources Affect Economic Activities
Nation’s Natural Resources
Forestry – the harvest of trees to produce wood products
Oceans – fishing
Minerals – iron, cooper, gold, etc.
Fossil Fuels – oil, coal, and natural gas
Rivers – dams built to produce hydroelectric power

10. Organizing Earth’s Surface: Regions
Unique Features Define a Region
Sunbelt – region defined by physical, or natural features
Warm, sunny climate
Cornbelt – region defined by human features
Raising corn is an important economic activity
Dividing the World into Seven Major Regions
The regions are large, but each has its own distinct features

17. Essential Question
Why do geographers use a variety of maps to represent the world?