Studying GeographyChapter 1: Section 2

September 3, 2013

Objectives

1. Explain how geographers and mapmakers organize our world.

2. Identify special kinds of maps geographers use.

3. Describe how geographers use climate graphs and population pyramids.

Vocabulary Section 2: Part 1

Grid- lines that circle the globe in an east-west and north-south directions

Latitude- lines drawn in an east-west direction

Longitude- lines drawn in a north-south direction

Equator- imaginary line that circles the globe halfway between Earth’s North Pole and South Pole

Parallels- another name for lines of latitude because they are always parallel to the equator and measure distance north and south of it.

Meridians- another name for lines of longitude and they measure distance east and west of the prime meridian

Prime Meridian- imaginary line drawn from the north pole through Greenwich, England to the south pole.

Degrees- the way distance is measured with parallels and meridians

Organizing the Globe

GridLatitudeLongitudeEquatorPrime

Meridian

Geographers and Mapmakers Organize the World…

By drawing lines on the globeBy identifying hemispheres,

landmasses, and bodies of water

By making and using maps

What Are Some Ways Geographers Organize Our

World?

Hemispheres, Continents, Oceans, and Grids Hemispheres: There are four hemispheres.

The equator divides northern and southern hemispheres. The prime meridian divides eastern and western hemispheres.

Continents: Africa, Australia, Antarctica, Asia, Europe, North America, South America

Oceans: Arctic, Atlantic, Indian, Pacific Grids: lines that circle the globe in an

east-west and north-south directions

In which hemispheres is the United States located? Which continents are located entirely within the Southern Hemisphere?

Using the Geographer’s Tools

Map Projections

Advantages Disadvantages

Cylindrical Used by navigators because it shows true direction and shape

Exaggerates landmasses at high latitudes

Conic Accurate for areas with long east-west dimensions

Not as accurate for areas that extend mostly north to south

Flat-Plane Used by pilots and navigators because it shows true direction and area sizes

Distorts shapes

Cylindrical Projection

The Cylinder only touches the globe at the equator

Meridians are pulled apart and are parallel to each other instead of meeting at the Poles

Mercator Map is a cylindrical projection

Useful for navigators shows true direction and shape

Conic Projection Conic Projections

are most useful for areas that have long east-west dimensions, such as the United States and Russia

Most accurate along the lines of latitude where it touches the globe

Retains almost true shapes and sizes of landmasses along those locations

Flat-Plane Map Projections

Appear to touch the globe at one point, such as the North Pole or the South Pole

Useful for showing true direction for airplane pilots and ship navigators

Also shows true area sizes, but distorts shapes

Great Circle Route

The shortest route between any two places on the planet

Useful for pilots and ship captains for navigation

What are 3 Kinds of Map Projections that Mapmakers Use?

Special-Purpose Maps

Climate and Precipitation Maps— Show weather patterns and atmospheric conditions

Population and Economic Maps— Show the distribution of people, natural resources, and land usage patterns

Elevation Profiles and Topographic Maps— Show physical features of the land

Important Geographic Characteristics

Climate graphs show average temperatures and precipitation in a place.

Population pyramids show percentages of males and females by age group in a country’s population. They help us understand population trends.

Chapter Review

1. What are two main branches in the study of geography?

2. What six essential elements help us organize the study of geography?

3. How are the three kinds of regions defined?

4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the three main map projections?

5. What are six kinds of special-purpose maps?