Transcript Thematic Maps

Seeing the world like a geographer
Why do geographers use maps?
Maps help geographers understand and
explain the features of the earth.
 Remember Human & physical geography?
 Which is human, which is physical?
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What are geographic “features”?
 Features = what is on the earth (human and
physical)
○ Physical Features: natural parts earth surface
and environment. | pics |
Examples:
 Landforms: mtns, valleys, plains (on land)
 Bodies of water: oceans, seas, lakes, rivers
 Climate: type of weather over long periods of time | ex |
 Vegetation: plant life in a particular area

Human Features: Things humans have
created on earth.
Examples: countries, population, religion, economic activity.
| pics |
Thematic Maps
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What are “thematic maps”?
 A map that shows one theme or topic
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How / why do geographers use thematic
maps?
 Thematic maps help explain “where” the
topic is. (What topic is happening where)
 But also… who, when, and if used correctly,
can help explain why.
| Maps 1 | maps 2 |
Geography is more than just
where things are!

Thematic maps can be used to answer
important questions.
 Is there a problem with gun violence in the
U.S.?
 Do gun laws work?
 How does the U.S. compare with the rest of the
world? Education, health care, jobs, cost of
living, safety..?
 Which countries spend the most money on their
military? Why? | map |
Are thematic maps all I need to
look at to understand the world?
Yes or no? Why or why not?
 What are some problems with thematic
maps?

○ Who made the map and why (purpose / bias)?
When was the map made? Is the information
accurate?
How do I understand a thematic
map?
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Title + Legend
6 Common Thematic Maps
1.
Physical Features: mtns, valleys, plains, elevation
(on land) | map |
2.
Climate: type of weather over long periods of time | ex |
map |
3.
Vegetation: plant life in a particular area | map |
Activity: Hand out climate and vegetation descriptions sheets. Finish wksts.
4. Population Density:
 tells us how crowded a place is. # of people per mile /
kilometer. | map |
 How to calculate: PD = total # of people ÷ total land area
 The higher the result, the more crowded the place is.
| Example |
Activity: Finish wkst.; GA population map questions;
Classroom representation (use tiles);
5. Economic Activity: how use land and resources to
make a living | map |
Examples:
 Subsistence farming, hunting and gathering, forestry,
trade and manufacturing, recreation
 Activity: Finish wkst.; GA map questions; GA Classroom
Act outs;
6. Region: an area defined by one or more natural or
cultural characteristics that set it apart from other areas. |
world regions map |
Examples:
 The Northwest, Latin American, The Arctic Region,
Portland Transit, China Town, The Heartland, The Middle
East, Down Town
 What examples can you think of?
World Climate Zones Climagraphs for the 12 climate zones found around the world are shown above.
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Google map hikers with cameras
Google map car with camera
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What is PD of Redmond, Or.?

26, 646 ÷ 16.79 =
1,587 people per sq mile.

In 2007, New York City PD = more than
26,000 people per square mile. | back |
Most PD cities in world:
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Hong Kong, China
Lagos, Nigeria
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Jakarta, Indonesia
Mumbai, India
Ahmadabad, India
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Shenyang, China
Bangalore, India
Cairo, Egypt
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