Geography TermsGeography Terms

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What is Geography?What is Geography?

GeographyGeography is: is:

The social science that deals with the The social science that deals with the

earth’s environment and the human earth’s environment and the human

impact on it.impact on it.

1. Physical Geography1. Physical Geography

-refers to the natural features found on -refers to the natural features found on the earth’s surfacethe earth’s surface

2. Cultural Geography2. Cultural Geography

-refers to people’s impact on the earth’s -refers to people’s impact on the earth’s surface or how people have changed surface or how people have changed the physical environmentthe physical environment

How do these people know How do these people know where they are going?where they are going?

What do these people use to What do these people use to get to where they want to go?get to where they want to go?

PilotPilotShip’s CaptainShip’s CaptainSafari GuideSafari GuideDriver in a new areaDriver in a new area

Who Said North Must be UP?Who Said North Must be UP?

Here is new way to look at the world.Here is new way to look at the world.

Lines of LatitudeLines of Latitude

ParallelsParallels Imaginary lines running east to west Imaginary lines running east to west

around the globe, and used to measure around the globe, and used to measure distance north and south of the equatordistance north and south of the equator

Lines of LongitudeLines of LongitudeMeridiansMeridians Imaginary lines running from pole to pole, Imaginary lines running from pole to pole,

and are used to measure distance east to and are used to measure distance east to westwest

TropicsTropics Area of the globe between the Tropic of Cancer Area of the globe between the Tropic of Cancer

(23 ½ * N)(23 ½ * N) and the Tropic of Capricorn ( and the Tropic of Capricorn (23 ½ * S)23 ½ * S)

Area of the globe that receives the most direct Area of the globe that receives the most direct sunlight sunlight

Absolute LocationAbsolute Location

-an exact position on -an exact position on the earth’s surfacethe earth’s surface

-ex.- 23* N and 120* W-ex.- 23* N and 120* W

Relative LocationRelative Location

-an approximate -an approximate location in relation to location in relation to a placea place

-ex.- I live next to Rita’s -ex.- I live next to Rita’s Water Ice in LansdaleWater Ice in Lansdale

Earth in Relation to the SunEarth in Relation to the Sun

The earth moves in two ways:The earth moves in two ways:

1.1. It rotatesIt rotates

2.2. It revolvesIt revolves

RotationRotationThe turning of the earth on its axis which The turning of the earth on its axis which

takes _______?takes _______?24 hours24 hours

RevolutionRevolutionThe earth’s yearly trip around the sun, The earth’s yearly trip around the sun,

which takes _______?which takes _______?365 ¼ days365 ¼ days

Seasons- periods of the year with Seasons- periods of the year with different climatic conditionsdifferent climatic conditions

Summer, winter, spring and fallSummer, winter, spring and fall

Why do different areas of the globe have Why do different areas of the globe have different seasons?different seasons?

Special Times of the YearSpecial Times of the Year Solstice-one of two days of the year Solstice-one of two days of the year

when the sun’s rays strike directly on the:when the sun’s rays strike directly on the:

1.1. Trop. of Cancer-June 21, marks the first day of Trop. of Cancer-June 21, marks the first day of summer in the northern hemisphere and first day of summer in the northern hemisphere and first day of winter in the southern hemisphere, 24 hrs of light at winter in the southern hemisphere, 24 hrs of light at North Pole, 24 hrs darkness at South PoleNorth Pole, 24 hrs darkness at South Pole

2.2. Trop. Of Capricorn-December 21, marks the first day Trop. Of Capricorn-December 21, marks the first day of summer in the southern hemisphere and first day of of summer in the southern hemisphere and first day of winter in the northern hemisphere, 24 hrs of light at winter in the northern hemisphere, 24 hrs of light at South Pole, 24 hrs darkness at North PoleSouth Pole, 24 hrs darkness at North Pole

Special Times of the YearSpecial Times of the Year

Summer Solstice

Winter Solstice

Special Times of the YearSpecial Times of the Year

Equinox- one of two days in which the Equinox- one of two days in which the sun’s rays are directly over the Equatorsun’s rays are directly over the Equator

March 21 and September 23March 21 and September 23These days are the start of _______ and These days are the start of _______ and

_______ for the northern hemisphere._______ for the northern hemisphere.Autumn and SpringAutumn and Spring

Special Times of the YearSpecial Times of the Year