CH 1 THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTSection 2 Understanding the Physical World

TOOLS OF GEOGRAPHERS Use globes and maps to represent the

Earth. Globe is more accurate than a map

Why?

Shaped like the Earth, a globe gives a true picture of the size and shape of landmasses and of distances across oceans.

MID 1400’S Gerardus Mercartor, created a map that

showed direction accurately. Sailors could know whether they were

traveling North, South, East or West. Mercator map- gives an accurate view of

land areas near the equator. Distorts size and shape of lands near the north and south poles.

MERCATOR

INTERRUPTED PROJECTION There are many different types of

interrupted projection maps. These types of maps try to depict the

continents as accurately as possible by leaving blank space in the less important areas of the map, such as in the oceans.

INTERRUPTED PROJECTION

PETERS PROJECTION Shows the correct areas of landmasses

and oceans. Directions are also accurate Distorts the shapes of Africa and South

America (appear longer and thinner)

PETERS PROJECTION

ROBINSON PROJECTION Used today. Shows correct sizes and shapes of most

landmasses. Accurate sizes of oceans and distances. Distortions- regions shown along edges

ROBINSON PROJECTION

SPECIAL PURPOSE MAPS A political map shows the borders

that divide nations from one another. A physical map shows features such

as mountains, lakes and rivers. Physical features of a place or region

are called its topography.

Population Map shows how many people live in an area.

A natural resources map shows where coal, uranium, oil and other important resources are found.

MAJOR LANDFORMS People have adapted to different kinds

of natural features or landforms. Major landforms are mountains, hills,

plains, and plateaus.

Mountains- high, steep, rugged land that rises above the surrounding land. Generally have small populations. Ancient city of Machu Picchu in Peru was built on a

mountaintop 8,038 feet above sea level.

Hills- raised lands, but are lower and less steep. Have more settlers. Easy farming.

Plains- large areas of fairly level or gently rolling land. Low elevation, Coastal plains are

lowland areas that border oceans, and can provide good farmland

Plateaus- large areas of high, flat or gently rolling land. Have elevations ranging from a few

hundred to several thousand feet above sea level.

Can provide good farmland. Can provide relief from high temperatures

in hot tropical regions Mexico City, Mexico is densely populated

more than 22 million people.

CLIMATE ZONES Climate- Average weather a place has

over a period of 20-30 years. Location- one factor that affects

climate is latitude. Lands close to the equator have tropical

climate. High temp. and ample rainfall

Areas farther North or South of the Equator have temperate climates, with warm and cold season. U.S and areas of Central Asia and Europe

Located far from the Equator, lands near the North and South poles have arctic climates. Cold all year

Oceans Carry warm or cool water in circular

patterns around the world.