CHAPTER 2

A Spatial Way of Thinking

Essential QuestionWhy do geographers use a variety of maps to represent the world?

Geoterms• Climate: the pattern of weather over a long period of time• Economic Activity: any action that relates to the making, buying, and selling of goods

and services• Landform: any natural feature of Earth’s surface that has a distinct shape. Landforms

include major features such as continents, plains, plateaus, and mountain ranges. They also include features such as hills, valleys, canyons, and dunes.• Physical Feature: any natural characteristic of Earth’s surface, such as landforms and

bodies of water• Population Density: the average number of people who live in a unit of area, such as a

square mile. Population density measures how crowded an area is.• Regions: an area defined by one or more natural or cultural characteristics that set it

apart from other areas• Thematic Map: a map that shows a particular theme, or topic• Vegetation: all the plants and trees in an area

The Geographic Setting:Thematic Maps

• Thematic Maps Can Show Physical GeographyPhysical Features

Landforms – mountains, valleys, rivers, streams, plains, and plateausClimate – determines the types of vegetation that will grow in an area

• Thematic Maps Can Show Human GeographyPopulation DensityEconomic Activity

• A Map’s Title and Legend State Its Theme

Mapping Earth’s Physical Features

• Common Landforms• Mountain Ranges• Plateaus• Canyons• Peninsulas

• Bodies of Water• Lakes• Oceans• Gulfs• Rivers

Hot, Cold, Wet, Dry: Earth’s Climate

• Climate ZonesParticular temperature patternsPrecipitation

rain, snow, and other moistureClimagraph

used to show the average temperature and precipitation in a place over a year

• Location Affects ClimateLatitude

most important – tropics, North & South polesElevation

high elevations have colder climatesLarge bodies of water

Costal areas have even year round tempsMore extreme climates are found further inland

Trees and Other Plants: Earth’s Vegetation

• Vegetation is Adapted to Its EnvironmentDesert – hot and dry (arid climate)

Cactus and other scrubby brushTundra – cold and dry

Small plants, bushes, and wildflowersHumid Continental– warm, rainy summers and cool, snowy winters

Fir and pine trees

• Global Vegetation Zones• In each zone, a certain mix of plants has adapted to similar conditions

Where People Live: Population Density

• Population Density Measures Crowding

Economic Activity: Land and Resources

• Land Use Shows How People Make a Living• Land Use

• Farming• Grazing flocks of cattle, goats, and sheep• Mining

• Natural Resources Affect Economic Activities• Nation’s Natural Resources

• Forestry – the harvest of trees to produce wood products• Oceans – fishing• Minerals – iron, cooper, gold, etc.• Fossil Fuels – oil, coal, and natural gas• Rivers – dams built to produce hydroelectric power

Organizing Earth’s Surface: Regions

• Unique Features Define a Region• Sunbelt – region defined by physical, or natural features

• Warm, sunny climate• Cornbelt – region defined by human features

• Raising corn is an important economic activity

• Dividing the World into Seven Major Regions• The regions are large, but each has its own distinct features

Essential QuestionWhy do geographers use a variety of maps to represent the world?