Transcript World Geography Chapter 1 Notes Physical Geography Looking at

World Geography Chapter 1
Notes
Physical Geography
Looking at the Earth
Geography involves the study of
places: their locations, their
characteristics, and how humans use
and move around them.
The Five Themes of Geography
Geography
Geography is the study of Earth and the
ways people work & live on it
- It focuses on the study of the distribution
and interaction of physical features human
features on Earth
 Geographers – people who study the
earth.

Geography

Geographers look at:
- use of space on Earth
- interactions that take place there
- patterns and connections between
people and Land
Geography

Geographers use a
variety of tools:
- maps
- photographs
- charts, graphs,
tables
- scale models
- five themes of
geography
Theme: Location




Where is it?
Two types of location
(Absolute & Relative)
Absolute Location – a
places precise position on
the globe
Latitude lines run east to
west parallel to the
equator and circle the
earth (measured north
and south from zero to 90
degrees)
Theme: Location

Equator is zero
degrees latitude and
divides the world into
two halves
- Northern and
southern
hemispheres
Theme: Location

Earth is tilted at 23 ½
degrees (tropics
receive the most heat
from the sun)
- 23 ½ degrees south
Tropic of Capricorn
- 23 ½ degrees north
Tropic of Cancer
Theme: Location



Longitude lines or Meridians
run north to south & go over
the poles
- measured east and west from
zero to 180 degrees
Prime Meridian is zero
degrees longitude
- Divides the world into
Eastern & Western
hemispheres
- It runs through Greenwich,
England
Longitude & Latitude Lines
Intersect to form a Grid
System
Theme: Location

Relative Location where something is in
relation to other
places
- How we give
directions
Theme: Place


What is it Like?
Place includes physical
features and cultural
characteristics
- physical features
include climate,
landforms, vegetation
- cultural characteristics
include dams, highways,
houses customs,
religions, foods, &
activities that take place
there
Theme: Region




How are Places Similar or Different?
A region is an area united by similar
characteristics
Unifying characteristics—physical, political,
economic, cultural
Three types of regions:
- formal
- functional
- perceptual
Theme: Region


Formal Regions - Defined by a limited number of
related characteristics
Formal regions of the world:
- The United States and Canada
- Latin America
- Europe
- Russia and the Republics
- Africa
- Southwest Asia
- South Asia
- East Asia
- Southeast Asia, Oceania, and Antarctica
Theme: Region


Functional Regions - Organized around
interactions and connections between places
- Example: a city and its suburbs are connected
through human movement
Perceptual Regions - Region with
characteristics people perceive in much the
same way
- Example: the American Midwest
- Sometimes perceptions differ: Does Midwest
begin in Ohio or Illinois?
Theme: Human-Environment
Interaction





How Do People Relate to the Physical World?
A relationship exists between people and their
environment
People use and change the environment to meet
their needs
People adapt to environmental conditions they
cannot change
Often, people in similar environments adapt in
different ways
- Using hot climates near water for recreational
activities or farming
Theme: Movement



How Do People, Goods,
and Ideas Get from One
Place to Another?
The movement of goods,
information, and ideas
Geographers use three
types of distance to
analyze movement
- linear distance, time
distance, & psychological
distance
Theme: Movement




Linear distance - how far a person, product, or
idea travels
Time distance -how long it takes for person,
product, idea to travel
Psychological Distance - Refers to the way
people perceive distance
- Example: unfamiliar places may seem farther
away than familiar ones
Interdependent - where people rely on each
other for goods, services , and ideas
Section 2
The Geographer’s Tools
Maps and Globes
Geographers tools include maps, globes,
& data that can be displayed in a variety of
ways
 Oldest known map: Babylonian clay tablet,
circa 500 B.C.
 Maps show locations of places, landforms,
bodies of water

Two or Three Dimensions

Globe—a three-dimensional
representation (a sphere) of Earth
Most accurate replication of Earth
 Globes can show the "Great Circle Route" the shortest distance between any two points
on the earth's surface

Two or Three Dimensions
Map—a two-dimensional graphic
representation of Earth’s surface
 Cartographer (mapmaker) tries to
accurately reflect earth’s surface
 Map projection way of showing Earth’s
curved surface on a flat map

Robinson
 Conical

Parts of a Map



Key - explains the symbol used on a map
- Star - capital city
- Airplane – airport
Compass Rose - shows the cardinal directions (north,
east, west, south)
- May also show the intermediate directions (northwest,
northeast, southeast, southwest)
- May only show one direction (Location of the other
directions can be located in relation to the given
direction)
Scale - means that a certain measurement on a map
represents a certain measurement on the earth's
surface.
Types of Maps


Three types of maps: general
reference, thematic,
navigational
General reference maps
- Political map - Shows the
political boundaries of
countries and often smaller
units such as states
- Physical map - shows the
relief or difference in elevation
or height of
landforms in an area
- Topographic map—shows
natural and man-made
features of earth
Types of Maps

Thematic map or
Special Purpose
map - shows specific
data such as
- Climate
- Population density
- Road maps
- Natural resource
maps
Satellite image of Africa, Europe,
Asia, and Australia
The Science of Mapmaking
Surveyors observe, measure, record what
they see in a specific area
 Remote sensing, gathering geographic
data from a distance, includes:
- aerial photography
- satellite imaging

The Science of Mapmaking
Best known satellites are Landsat and
GOES
 Landsat is a series of satellites; can scan
entire planet in 16 days
 Geostationary Operational Environment
Satellite (GOES):
- orbits in sync with Earth’s rotation
- gathers images of atmospheric
conditions

The Science of Mapmaking
Geographic Information Systems
 Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
is a digital geographic database
- Combines and displays information from
many sources

The Science of Mapmaking

Global Positioning System (GPS)
- Uses series of 24 Navstar satellites to
beam information to Earth
- Hand-held GPS receivers on Earth
display exact position
- GPS used by explorers, sailors, drivers;
also used to track animals
Geography and Other Subjects

Science and technology



Geographers observe, hypothesize, and collect data
They also use technological tools such as satellite
computers and high tech Cameras
History and Politics
- Geographers use history to help understand
how places looked in the past
- Political science focuses on places boundaries
are formed and changed
- Natural environment affects political decisions
Geography and Other Subjects

Sociology and Anthropology
- Sociology helps geographers
understand cultures throughout
the world
- Study relationships between
a places physical environment
and its inhabitants social
structure
- Anthropology helps
geographers gain insight into
different cultures throughout
the world
Geography and Other Subjects

Economics
- How the location of resources affects the
way people transport, and use goods
- Concerned with how and where services
are provided
- Geographers are interested in how
locations are chosen for farming, mining,
manufacturing, and selling