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Sub-Divisions of Geography
RVCS HONORS WORLD GEOGRAPHY
Difference Between History & Geography
• History = “When”
• Geography = “Where”
• But, the two disciplines go together like pepperoni and
pineapple (seriously, try it on a pizza!)
2 Main Branches of Geography
• Physical Geography—The study of the earth and its
resources
• Human Geography—The study of man as he lives on
the earth and uses its resources
• [video quiz game]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3npJcRWJic
2 Ways to Look at Geography
• Systematic Geography—Observes one branch of
geography at a time.
• Regional Geography—Observes one region of
geography at a time.
– The “Far East”
– Virginia Geography
– Etc. (you fill in the blank)
4 Themes of Geography
• Location—Absolute or relative
– “Absolute” is specific (GPS coordinates)
– “Relative” is compared to another location (Roanoke, VA
is north of Atlanta, GA)
• Interaction—Among people or between people and
environments
• Movement—Transporting people, goods, ideas,
diseases, etc.
• Region—Defined by formal boundaries
The Earliest Map on Record
• Map-making goes back to at least
2300 B.C. (Babylon)
• Babylon (the itty-bitty dot) is between
the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers
This one is old too…
• Sumerian Map (2112-2004 B.C.)
Eratosthenes
• Greek mathematician and geographer
• The first writer to use the word “geography”
• Calculated the circumference of the earth to
be about 25,000 miles (actual = 24,860)
• He believed that the world was a sphere
Ptolemy
• Geocentric Theory—He falsely taught that
the universe revolves around the earth.
• Map Skills—While astronomy wasn’t quite
his thing, Ptolemy was very accurate in his
mapmaking abilities.
The Age of Exploration
• Cartography—The
making of maps
– Cartography during the
Age of
Exploration/Scientific
Revolution became
increasingly more accurate.
• Gerhardus Mercator—
Published one of the best
maps for his time in
1569.
Topography
• Topography—The study
of land features, including
their elevations
The GPS
• GPS—Global Positioning System
• Original Purpose—The GPS has been
financed and operated by the U.S.
Department of Defense, and was
originally designed for military use (not
civilian).
• [Video]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zd
NgTKejIpY
Latitude & Longitude
• Latitude—A measurement system that runs east to
west
– Equator
• Longitude—A measurement system that runs north
to south
– Prime Meridian
Map Projections
• Map Projection—A method to show the earth’s
round surface on a flat map.
• Distortion—Error in the map’s display (area, shape,
distance, or direction)
• Cylindrical, Azimuthal, and Conic Projections—see
pg. 19
• [video]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUF_Ckv8Hb
E
Types of Maps
• Mental Map—A person’s perception of the world (or a part of it) based on
available knowledge.
• Political Map—Indicates state or national boundaries, capitals, and major cities.
• Physical Map—Shows mountains, rivers, lakes, elevation, and other natural
features.
• Topographic Map—Indicates shape and the elevation of the landforms shown.
• Climate Map—Provides information about weather patterns in an area.
• Economic or Resource Map—Shows the natural resources or economic activities
of a place.
• Other Maps—http://spotcrime.com/va/roanoke
Relief Map