H9/15/11

Basic Concepts – Maps & Tools(Ch. 1.1; pp. 2-13)

I. Intro to Geography A. Basic Terms & Ideas

1. geography = “to write earth”

- 2 major categories of geography – human geography & physical geography

2. human geo. – where & why human activities happen

3. physical geo. – where & why natural forces happen

4. maps – 2-dimensional (flat-scale) model of earth (Ch. 1.1)

5. place – a specific point on Earth (Ch. 1.2)

6. region – an area of Earth with distinctive cultural and physical features (Ch. 1.2)

7. scale – relationship b/w area studied and whole world (Ch. 1.3)

8. space – physical gap b/w two objects (Ch. 1.3)

9. connections – relationships among people and objects (Ch. 1.3)

II. Maps- cartography – mapmakingA. Reasons - reference & communication

B. Early Mapmaking- Aristotle (4th cent. B.C.) – spherical world- Eratosthenes (3rd cent. B.C.) – “geography”- Ptolemy (2nd cent. A.D.) – Roman mapmaking- little European mapmaking advances until Age of

Exploration (late 15th cent. A.D.)- Phei Hsiu (Fei Xiu) (3rd cent. A.D.) – “father of

Chinese cartography”- Al-Idrisi (12th cent. A.D.) – Muslim geographer –

drew world map- Ibn-Battutah (14th cent. A.D.) – Rihlah (Travels)

book describing Muslim world (Afr., Eur., Asia)- Gerladus Mercator (16th cent. A.D.) – modern

world map (“the map” for centuries)

C. Map Scale- 3 types of scale1. ratio/fraction – 1:24,000 OR 1/24,0002. written – “1 inch equals 1 mile”3. graphic – bar line (ex: road maps)

- want details – close up view (1:10,000)- want trends – farther view (1:10,000,000)- [use Google map example]

D. Projection- all projections lead to distortions- types of distortions:

1. shape2. distance3. relative size4. direction

- equal area projections (map 1-19)- [pros & cons?]

- uninterrupted projections (maps 1-13 & 1-23)- Robinson Projection (map 1-23)- [pros & cons?]- Mercator Projection (map 1-13)- [pros & cons?]

E. U.S. Land Ordinance of 1785- organized structure of land development- used to settle most of western U.S. - began in “Old NW” (current Midwest)- [where?]- [show map]

F. Contemporary Map Tools- GPS (global positioning system)- remote sensing – satellites

- GIS (geographic information system)- computer based maps – multiple uses- mash-up – overlaying data (fig. 1-7)