UNIT 1: WORLD GEOGRAPHY

BASICS

Maps vs. Globes

• Map: a symbolic representation of all or part of the planet

• There are a large variety of maps

• Globe: is a scale model of the Earth

• Globes are typically very similar

Determining Location

• A grid system is formed by longitude and latitude lines that help location be determined

• Latitude: or parallels, circle the Earth parallel to the Equator and measure distance north/south

• Longitude: or meridians, circle the Earth from Pole to Pole, measure distance east to west

• These measurements are in degrees

• Absolute Location: global address, naming the latitude and longitude lines that cross exactly at that place

Hemispheres

• Hemisphere: on of the halves into which the Earth is divided

• Northern/Southern divided by the Equator

• Equator: is measured at 0 degrees latitude

• Eastern vs Western is divided by the Prime Meridian

• Prime Meridian: is measured at 0 degrees longitude

Reading a Map

• Key/Legend: a list that explains the symbols, colors, and lines used on the map

• Scale: shows the relationship between map measurements and the actual distances on the Earth

• Compass Rose: indicates direction

• Cardinal Directions: north, south, east, and west

• Intermediate Directions: northeast, northwest, southeast, southwest

Map Types: Physical Maps

• Physical Maps: shows the location and the shape of the Earth’s physical features

• Topography:  the study of surface shape and features of the Earth

• Majority show changes in elevation in a region

Map Types: Political Maps

• Political Maps: maps that show the boundaries and locations of political units such as countries, states, countries, cities, and towns

• HUMAN MADE rather than nature

• No tangible border

Map Types: Thematic Maps

• Thematic Maps: maps that emphasizes a single idea or a particular kind of information about an area

• Two Types

• Qualitative Map: maps that use colors, symbols, lines or dots to show information

• Flow-line Map: maps that illustrate movement of people, animals, goods, and ideas

Section 2: Common Terms, General Focuses, and Research Methods

Places/Regions• Place: a particular space with physical and human meaning

• ex. Great American Ballpark

• Regions: areas with similar characteristics

ex. Central America

• Formal Region: is defined by a common characteristic, such as a product produced their

• ex. The Corn Belt

• Functional Region: a central place and the surrounding area linked to it

• Ex. Springfield

• Perceptual Region: defined by popular feelings and images rather than by objective data

• ex. The “Heartland”

Physical Systems and Human Systems• Physical Geography focuses

on the Earth’s physical features

• Physical Maps

• They often study ecosystems

• Ecosystems: is a community of plants and animals that depend upon one another, and their surrounding, for survival

• Human Geography focuses human activity and their relationship to culture and the physical environment

• Study the movement of people, goods, and ideas

• Focus on politics, economics, population growth etc.

Environment and Society

• Human-environment interactions: the study of the interrelationship between people and their physical environment

• Often this interaction is negative for the environment

• Ex. ????s

Research Methods in Geography

• Direct Observation

• Mapping

-Cartography: designing and making maps

• Interviewing

• Analyzing Statistics

Topics we will study/examine• Economy

• Culture

- language

- Art

-Customs

• Education

• Political System

SECTION 3: GLOBAL

DIVERSITY

Climate and Weather

• Weather: the condition of the atmosphere in one place during a limited period of time

• Short term aspect of climate

• Climate: the term for the weather patterns that an area typically experiences over a long period of time

• Ex. Seattle, Washington

Revolution and Rotation• The Earth rotates on its axis, and

revolves around the sun

• Earth’s Axis: an imaginary line running from the North Pole to the South Pole through the planet’s center

• Equinox: Meaning “equal night”, Around March 21 the sun’s rays fall directly on the Equator causing night and day to have equal hours

Latitudes, Elevation, and Climates

• Low Latitudes: Area between 30 degrees South and 30 degrees North

• Places located in these latitudes have warm/hot climates

• Midlatitudes: Area between 30-60 degrees North and 30-60 degrees South

• Experience dramatic seasonal weather changes

Latitudes, Elevation, and Climates

• High latitudes: Area between 60-90 degrees North and 60-90 degrees South

• Places located in these latitudes have cold climates

• Arctic Circle: latitude 66.5 degrees North

• Antarctic Circle: latitude 66.5 degrees South

Wind and Ocean Currents

• Prevailing winds blow in fairly consistent patterns

• Warm air from the Equator moving towards the Poles

• Cold air from the Poles moving toward the Equator

• Coriolis Effect: is defined as how a moving object seems to veer toward the right in the Northern hemisphere and left in the Southern hemisphere.

• Causes prevailing winds to move diagonally

Climate Regions

• Topical Climates: found in or near the low latitudes

• Think Rainforests

• Tons of natural vegetation

• Dry Climates: found in the low/mid latitudes

• Think Deserts

• Little to no natural vegetation

Climate Regions

• Midlatitude Climates: Largest variety of climates

• Think 4 Seasons

• High-Latitude Climates: Freezing temperatures

• Little to no natural vegetation

• Permafrost: permanently frozen subsoil