World Geography Core Concepts

Geography Basics

Ways to Show the Earth’s SurfaceSection 1.3

• There are many different ways to show the Earth’s surface.

• Globes

• Photographs

• Map Projections

Ways to Show the Earth’s SurfaceSection 1.3

• GLOBES– Benefits: Accurate Shapes– Drawbacks: Too bulky to carry around

• PHOTOGRAPHS/GPS– Benefits: Show large areas and many

details– Drawbacks: Not specific enough or

Inaccurate/Outdated• MAP PROJECTIONS– Benefits: Fairly Accurate, Convenient– Drawbacks: Distortions due to the

difference in shapes

Map BasicsSections 1.1 and 1.4

• Map Key – explains the symbols and shading on the map

Map BasicsSections 1.1 and 1.4

• Compass Rose – part of a map that shows direction

Map BasicsSections 1.1 and 1.4

• Cardinal Directions – North (N), South (S), East (E), and West (W)

• Intermediate Directions – The directions that fall between the cardinal directions. Northwest (NW), Southwest (SW), Northeast (NE), and Southeast (SE)

Map BasicsSections 1.1 and 1.4

• Locator Map – Locator maps may show a larger area than the main map or where the area on the map is located within the larger area.

Map BasicsSections 1.1 and 1.4

• Scale Bar – shows how much space on the map represents a given distance on the land.

Map BasicsSections 1.1 and 1.4

• Map Grid – imaginary lines placed on a map to help us determine location.

Map BasicsSections 1.1 and 1.4

• Map Grids can be more complex. Latitude and longitude are another type of complex map grid.

• Latitude – The distance north or south of the Equator. • Longitude – The distance east or west of the Prime Meridian. • Degrees – Units used to measure distance between the lines of

latitude and longitude.

Map BasicsSections 1.1 and 1.4

• Some important lines of latitude are: 0 degrees = Equator23.5 degrees N = Tropic of Cancer23.5 degrees S = Tropic of Capricorn

Map BasicsSections 1.1 and 1.4

• Some important lines of Longitude are: 0 degrees = Prime Meridian180 degrees = International Date

Line

How do we know the difference between 0 degrees latitude and longitude?By the order in which

the numbers are written. Ex.: 23.5 N, 0

Map BasicsSections 1.1 and 1.4

• The Equator divides the Earth into two hemispheres (Halves of the Earth). These are the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

• The Prime Meridian divides the Earth into the Eastern and Western Hemispheres.

Types of Maps Section 1.5

• Physical Maps – A map that shows the natural features.

• Political Maps - A map that shows political units. This could be boundaries between countries or states, even capitals and cities would be found on these maps.

• Special Purpose Maps – Maps that show the location or distribution of human or physical features.

Types of Maps Section 1.5

• Physical

– Elevation : height above sea level

Types of Maps Section 1.5

• Political

Types of Maps Section 1.5

• Special Purpose

Geography’s Five ThemesSection 1.2

• Geographers ask 2 basic questions.– Where are things at?– Why are they there?

• The five themes of geography help the geographers to answer those questions and categorize the information that they find.

• The five themes are: Location, Place, Region, Movement, and Human-Environment Interaction

Geography’s Five ThemesSection 1.2

• Location – Where something is found. – Absolute Location – Exact position on Earth

• Latitude and Longitude• Postal Address

– Relative Location – Location of a place, relative to another place. A description of where something is located. • Mentioning landmarks• Distance from other cities

Harrisburg – Absolute Location – 40 N, 76 W Relative Location – NE of Gettysburg or on the Susquehanna River

Geography’s Five ThemesSection 1.2

• Place – The mix of human and non-human features found at a location. – Hilly, Four Seasons, Many Rivers, 2nd Largest City in

PA, Has been known for its steel production, Listed as one of the most livable cities in the world.

Geography’s Five ThemesSection 1.2

• Region – Area with one common characteristic– Climate, landforms, population, history, culture

Geography’s Five ThemesSection 1.2

• Movement – How people, goods, and ideas move from one place to another. – Physical Movement OR Mental Movement

Geography’s Five ThemesSection 1.2

• Human-Environment Interaction – How people affect the environment and how the environment affects them.

Bibliography

Chu, Gregory H., Susan Wiley. Hardwick, Donald G. Holtgrieve, Grant P. Wiggins, George F. Sabato, and Michael M. Yell. My World Geography. Boston, Mass: Pearson, 2011. Print.