Chapter 1Essentials of Geography

Elemental Geosystems 5e

Robert W. ChristophersonCharles E. Thomsen

Essentials of GeographyThe Science of Geography  

Earth Systems Concepts  

Location and Time on Earth  

Maps, Scales, and Projections  

Remote Sensing and GIS  

The Science of GeographyGeographic Analysis

The Geographic Continuum

Figure 1.2

Scientific Method

Figure FS 1.1.1

Earth Systems ConceptsSystems Theory  

Open system

Closed system

System feedback

System equilibrium

Mount Pinatubo–global system impact

Systems in Elemental Geosystems

Models of systems

Figure 1.3

Systems

Figure 1.4

Meltponds as Positive Feedback

Figure HLC 1.1.1

Mount Pinatubo

Figure 1.5

Earth’s Four Spheres

Figure 1.7

Earth’s Dimensions

Figure 1.8

Measuring Earth in 247 B.C.

Figure 1.9

Location and Time on Earth  Latitude

Latitudinal geographic zones

Longitude

Great Circles

Prime Meridian and Standard TimeInternational Date Line

Coordinated Universal Time

Daylight saving time

Latitude

Figure 1.10

Latitudinal Geographic Zones

Figure 1.12

Longitude

Figure 1.12

Great Circles and Small Circles

Figure 1.13

Prime Meridian and Standard Time  

Figure 1.15

Maps, Scales, and Projections  Map Scales

ProjectionsProperties of projections

The nature and classes of projections

Figure 1.19

Classes of Map Projections

Remote Sensing and GISRemote Sensing

Active remote sensing

Passive remote sensing

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Active and Passive Remote Sensing

Figure 1.22

Remote Sensing

Figure 1.23 Figure 1.24

RADARSAT-1 GOES-12

GIS System Model

Figure 1.26

End of Chapter 1

Elemental Geosystems 5e

Robert W. ChristophersonCharles E. Thomsen