Seeing the World Like a Geographer

World Geography

The Geographic Setting

• Thematic maps are all around us• Weather map, bus route, mall map• Show info about some aspect of physical

or human geography

Thematic Map Can Show Physical Geography

• Physical Features – the natural parts of Earth’s surface

• Landforms – mountains, valleys, plains, plateaus

Thematic Map Can Show Physical Geography

• Climate – long term weather patterns – rainfall, temperature

• Vegetation – trees and other plants that grow in an area

Thematic Maps Can Show Human Geography

• Political map – boarders of countries

• Population density map – average number of people living in a unit of area – sq mile

Thematic Maps Can Show Human Geography

• Economic activity map – ways people produce, buy and sell goods and services

• Natural resources – useful items found in nature

A Map’s Title and Legend State Its Theme

• First look at the title• Map legend to

determine how to read it - colors

Physical Features

Basin - a large or small depression in the surface of the land or in the ocean floor

Bay - an area of water mostly surrounded or otherwise separated or limited by land.

Physical Features

Delta - area where a river divides before entering a larger body of water

Gulf - a large bay that is an arm of an ocean or sea

Physical Features

Isthmus – is a narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas usually with waterforms on either side

Lake - a body of liquid on the surface of a world that is localized to the bottom of a basin

Physical FeaturesMountain range -a single,

large mass consisting of a succession of mountains, closely related in position, direction, formation, and age.

Peninsula - is a piece of land that is surrounded by water but connected to mainland via an isthmus.

• is a piece of land that is surrounded by water but connected to mainland via an isthmus.

Physical Features

Plain – is land with relatively low relief, that is flat or gently rolling.

Plateau - is an area of highland, usually consisting of relatively flat terrain.

Physical Features

River – is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing toward an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river.

Strait - is a narrow, navigable channel of water that connects two larger navigable bodies of water.

Physical Features

• End.