Transcript The Geographer*s Tools

The Geographer’s Tools
The Geographer’s Tools
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Eratosthenes- calculated the
circumference of the earth around 255
B.C.
Geographer’s Tools: Maps and
Globes
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Globe- a three-dimensional representation
of the earth
◦ A way to view the earth as it travels through
space
◦ Not always practical because they are not easily
portable

Maps- two-dimensional graphic
representations of selected parts of the
earth’s surface
◦ Easily portable, can be drawn to any scale needed
◦ Distortion occurs as the earth’s surface is
flattened to create the map
Geographer’s Tools: Maps and
Globes
Cartographer- a mapmaker
 Map projection- a way of drawing Earth’s
surface by presenting a round Earth on
flat paper
 Types of maps

◦ General reference maps, thematic maps, and
navigational maps
A.
B.
C.
Who was the first person to
calculate the circumference of the
earth?
Empedocies
Eratosthenes
Protagoras
A.
B.
A globe is a two-dimensional
graphic representation of selected
parts of the earth’s surface.
True
False
Mapmaking

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Surveying: observe, measure, and record
what is seen in a specific area (mostly done
by aerial photography or by satellites)
Satellites- provide geographic date
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◦
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Landsat: a series of satellites that orbit more
than 100 miles above Earth
Geostationary Operation Environment Satellite
(GOES): a weather satellite, flies in orbit in sync
with Earth’s rotation
http://youtu.be/Ezn1ne2Fj6Y
Geographic Information Systems
(GIS)

A geographic information system (GIS)
lets us visualize, question, analyze,
interpret, and understand data to reveal
relationships, patterns, and trends
Global Positioning System (GPS)
Uses a series of satellites called Navstars,
which beam information to the earth
 The exact position-latitude, longitude,
latitude, and time is then displayed on a
hand-held receiver
 http://youtu.be/fpPwMu3foGg
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Geography Skills
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Finding location
◦ Magnetic compasses: introduced by the
Chinese around the 1100s helped to
accurately determine direction
◦ Theodolite: a type of surveying instrument
that precisely measures angles and distances
on the earth
Geography Skills
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Scale: the relationship between distance
on a map and on the earth’s surface (a
scale shows distance!)
◦ Small scale- shows a large area but without
much detail; used to see relative location in a
region or between regions
◦ Large scale- shows a small area with much
more detail; used to see relative location
within a region
Is this a large scale or small scale
map?
A.
B.
Small Scale
Large Scale
Geography Skills- Types of Maps

Physical Maps- maps that help you see the
types of landforms and bodies of water
found in a specific area
◦ Color, shading, or contour lines are used to
indicate elevation or altitude

Political Maps-show features on the
earth’s surface that humans created
◦ May include cities, states, provinces,
territories, or countries
What type of map is this?
A.
B.
Political
Physical
Geography Skills-Types of Maps
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Thematic Maps- focuses on specific types
of information
◦ Climate, vegetation, natural resources,
population density, and economic activities