what can geography teach us about the united states?

GEOGRAPHYWhat can geography teach us about the United States?

Objectives

Define academic vocabulary. Identify and label elements of maps and

globes. Explore the difference between relative

and absolute locations. Determine absolute locations using lines

of longitude and latitude. Identify and label physical features on

maps.

Academic Vocabulary

geographyglobephysical featureslandformscompassclimate

Academic Vocabulary

GEOGRAPHY

The study of our physical surroundings and how humans interact with them

GLOBE

A sphere that most accurately models of Earth

Academic Vocabulary

PHYSICAL FEATURES

A part of Earth’s surface that is a landmass or a body of water

LANDFORM

A physical feature of Earth’s surface such as a mountain or plain

Academic Vocabulary

COMPASS

A tool or instrument used for finding directions by first locating north

CLIMATE

Aspects of weather – temperature, rainfall, wind etc. – that are measured over time in an area

What is geography?

Geo – meaning EarthGraph – meaning “describing”

Geography is the study of our physical world and how we interact with it.

Components: Climate Hydrology (understanding of water) Landmasses Human Interaction Vegetation (plant life) Animal Life

Globe vs. Map

GLOBE

The most accurate model used to represent Earth. It is sphere shaped.

MAP

A representation of the whole or part of the world, usually on a flat surface.

Cartographer – a person who makes maps

Types of Maps

1. Political – shows city, state and country borders

2. Physical – shows physical features of a place, such as mountains, rivers, and lakes

3. Historical – shows locations, events, or points of interest for a specific time in history

Reading Maps

Map Elements: compass rose cardinal points inter-cardinal points legend/key symbols lines of latitude lines of longitude scale

Map Elements

LINES OF LONGITUDE

Imaginary lines (Meridians) that run from the North Pole to the South Pole

LINES OF LATITUDE

Imaginary lines (Parallels) that run from west to east

Map Elements

Compass Rose

A design on a map that shows direction

Legend/Key A chart on a map

that tells what symbols on a map are

Map Elements

Scale Represents distance

on a map

Cardinal Points Four main parts of a

compass/compass rose

Map Elements

Inter-cardinal Points (Intermediate Points) Four points located

in between the cardinal points

Symbols Drawings, or

pictures, that represent real things on a map

Importance of Understanding Maps

Why is it important for you to be able to read a map?

What type of jobs require you to read a map?

Location

Where do you sit in this room?

Can you draw these items in there exact spot?

A B C D E

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Can you draw these items in there exact spot?

Location

RELATIVE LOCATION

A location of a place in relation to another place, usually making use of position words

Position words: south under behind across east on the

side of beside around middle down from in front of

Used for miles, distance and direction

ABSOLUTE LOCATION

A location, or point, expressed by a coordinate system

Longitude Lines (Meridians): Labeled E or W 0° – Prime Meridian

Latitude Lines (Parallels): Labeled N or S 0°– Equator 90° S – South Pole 90° N – North Pole

Used for hemispheres, grid systems, and addresses