Understanding Geography

Geography (from the Greek geographia) is the study of the land and its people. The concept of Pangea is the main scientific theory of our world’s layout before the continental divide. Now, we have 7 continents, 5 oceans, 7 seas and a host of other important areas.

Social scientists must use the Five Themes of Geography to learn more about a specific country, region, continent as it relates to the understanding our world. It’s very easy to get the 5 Themes of Geography mixed up with the 6 Themes of World History. So, we are going to use MR. HeLP as a guide. 

• Movement: We want to know how people, goods, and ideas move from one location to another.

How will you travel to the place (route, drive, fly, walk)? Does the country export goods to other places? If so, what and where? Does the country import goods from other places? If so, what and from where? Why would people leave or move to the country (jobs, family, climate, war)? 

• Region:  Social scientists ask how places are similar or different to address region. Region compares physical and human characteristics.

What language(s) do people speak? What are the political divisions of the country (states, provinces, republics)? How is the country similar to any of its neighbors (traditions, language, climate)?

• Human-Environment Interaction:  How do people relate to the physical world? People learn to use and change what the environment offers them; depend, adapt and modify.

People depend on the environment. People adapt to the environment. People modify the environment. We should ask questions like how do people use the land (farming, herding, mining, industry) How have people changed the land? Where do most people live (near a river or coastline, in

the mountains)? Why do you think people settled there (water, safety, food, natural beauty)? 

• Location:  When we ask geographic question “where,” we are referring to location. Location can identify a precise spot or tell where one place is in relation to another.

There are two ways to talk about location; absolute location and relative location. Absolute location describes a place's exact position on Earth. You might call absolute location a geographic address. Geographers identify the absolute location by using two kinds of imaginary lines around the Earth: latitude and longitude. With these lines, they can pinpoint any spot on Earth. Relative location uses description to explain where a place. For example, how near or far away it may be or a short or long drive. 

• Place:  When determining what the area is like, we use place. Place includes both physical and human characteristics.

Physical Characteristics: landforms (mountains, plains, desert) bodies of water (oceans, seas, bays) ecosystems (soil, plants, animals, climate). Human Characteristics: bridges, roads, buildings, culture and language. 

   

In class today, we get to examine our world using maps and other tools

MapsA map is a flat representation of Earth's surface. It can be drawn to any size. But, no flat map can ever be as accurate as a globe. In class we will hold our hands up to the side of paper map to touch the Pacific Ocean. That is because Earth's surface is distorted somewhat when it is flattened to create a map. But most people prefer to use maps because they do have several advantages. For one thing, a map lets you measure distances much more easily. For another, a map lets you see the world at a glance. Most important, it's much easier to carry a map because you can fold it up!

Reading a MapMost maps have nine features to help you read and understand maps. 

• Title:  tells the subject of the map and gives you an idea of what information is shown.

• Compass rose:  shows directions: north, south, east, and west. • Symbols: represents things like capital cities and natural resources. The map

legend will explain what the symbols mean.• Legend:  a key that lists and explains the symbols and colors used on the map.• Lines of longitude: imaginary lines that measure distances east and west of

the prime meridian.• Lines of latitude: imaginary lines that measure distances north and south of

the equator.• Scale:  used to figure out the distance between two locations on a map or to

gauge how large an area is.• Labels: indicates things like the names of cities, landforms, and bodies of

water. • Colors:  provides contrasting information on a map. The map legend explains

what the colors mean.

Why do we use different maps?Different maps help us see different things. The three basic types of maps are political maps, physical maps, and thematic maps. You have probably used all of these different types of maps.

• Political Maps show the features people have created, such as cities, states, provinces, territories, and countries.

Political Map• Physical Maps show Earth's surface might look like from space. Physical

maps show the landforms and bodies of water found in particular areas. Colors are often used to show elevations. On the map below, for example, brown indicates higher, more mountainous areas. Green shows areas that are relatively flat.

Physical Maps• Thematic Maps   A thematic map includes certain information about a place or

region. For example, the thematic map below shows the climates in the United States of America Thematic maps can use color, symbols, lines or dots to help you see patterns. America.    Thematic maps can use colors, symbols, lines, or dots to help you see patterns.

Thematic Map