How Geographers Look at the How Geographers Look at the

WorldWorld

Why is it important?Why is it important?

The World in spatial termsThe World in spatial termsHow people, places, and environments are How people, places, and environments are

distributed on Earth’s surfacedistributed on Earth’s surfacePlaces and RegionsPlaces and Regions

How humans interact w/the physical How humans interact w/the physical environmentenvironment

Regions w/common featuresRegions w/common featuresCulture=perceptionCulture=perception

Important (Cont.)Important (Cont.)

Physical SystemPhysical SystemWhat shapes the EarthWhat shapes the EarthEcosystems and Environmental issuesEcosystems and Environmental issues

Human SystemsHuman SystemsHumans and their effect on the landHumans and their effect on the landCulture’s influence on humansCulture’s influence on humansEconomic interdependenceEconomic interdependenceConflictConflict

Importance (Cont.)Importance (Cont.)

Environment and SocietyEnvironment and SocietyHumans affect their environmentHumans affect their environmentEnvironment affects people’s actionsEnvironment affects people’s actionsUse of natural resourcesUse of natural resources

Why use it?Why use it? Interpret the PAST, understand the Interpret the PAST, understand the

PRESENT, and Plan for the FUTUREPRESENT, and Plan for the FUTURE

The Geography Skills HandbookThe Geography Skills Handbook

Globe v. mapGlobe v. mapGlobe = scale model of the EarthGlobe = scale model of the EarthMap = Symbolic representation of the planetMap = Symbolic representation of the planet

Cartographers make mapsCartographers make maps

Great Circle RouteGreat Circle RouteUsing a globe and a string cartographers find Using a globe and a string cartographers find

the shortest distance from one place to the shortest distance from one place to anotheranother

Map Projection TypesMap Projection TypesPlanar ProjectionPlanar Projection

Earth is centered so that a straight line from Earth is centered so that a straight line from the center to any other point is the shortest the center to any other point is the shortest distancedistance

Good for mapping the polesGood for mapping the poles

Projections (Cont)Projections (Cont)

CylindricalCylindricalTracing a globe onto a cylinder; accurate near Tracing a globe onto a cylinder; accurate near

the equatorthe equator

Projections (Cont)Projections (Cont)

Conic ProjectionConic ProjectionResults from placing a cone over part of the Results from placing a cone over part of the

globe; looks at East/West not far from the globe; looks at East/West not far from the EquatorEquator

Most Common Projection TypesMost Common Projection Types

Winkel-TripelWinkel-TripelBalance b/t size and shape of landmassBalance b/t size and shape of landmass

Common Projection Types (Cont)Common Projection Types (Cont)

Goode’s Interrupted Equal Area ProjectionGoode’s Interrupted Equal Area ProjectionGlobe that has been cut apart and laid flat. Globe that has been cut apart and laid flat. Not good measure of distanceNot good measure of distance

Common Projection Types (Cont)Common Projection Types (Cont)

Robinson ProjectionRobinson ProjectionEastern and Western edges accurateEastern and Western edges accurateOutlines of the continents accurate tooOutlines of the continents accurate too

Common Projection Types (Cont)Common Projection Types (Cont)

Mercator ProjectionMercator ProjectionGood for sea TravelGood for sea Travel

LocationLocationGrid SystemGrid System

Lines on globes and maps that cross one Lines on globes and maps that cross one another, forming a patternanother, forming a pattern

Absolute locationAbsolute locationGlobal address; where the lines of latitude Global address; where the lines of latitude

and longitude crossand longitude crossLatitude- run parallel to the equator and determine Latitude- run parallel to the equator and determine

the distance of N/Sthe distance of N/SLongitude- circle the Earth from Pole to PoleLongitude- circle the Earth from Pole to Pole

Measure East/West from the Prime Meridian or 0Measure East/West from the Prime Meridian or 0° ° LongitudeLongitude

180° either way from PM = International Date Line180° either way from PM = International Date Line

HemispheresHemispheres

There are 4:There are 4:Northern- Everything North of the EquatorNorthern- Everything North of the EquatorSouthern- Everything South of the EquatorSouthern- Everything South of the EquatorEastern- Everything East 180Eastern- Everything East 180° of PM° of PMWestern- Everything West 180° of PMWestern- Everything West 180° of PM

Political v. Physical MapsPolitical v. Physical Maps

Political- human-made; countries, states, Political- human-made; countries, states, cities, capitals, towns, etc.cities, capitals, towns, etc.

Physical Maps- location and topography of Physical Maps- location and topography of the Earth’s physical featuresthe Earth’s physical featuresCan use relief (differences) in elevation Can use relief (differences) in elevation

(height) of landforms(height) of landforms

Political v. Physical (Cont)Political v. Physical (Cont)

Thematic MapsThematic Maps

Qualitative- Qualities of a given areaQualitative- Qualities of a given areaFlow-line- used to indicate movementFlow-line- used to indicate movement

The Geographer’s Craft: Main The Geographer’s Craft: Main ElementsElements

World in Spatial Terms- link b/t people and World in Spatial Terms- link b/t people and placesplaces

Absolute and relative location give Absolute and relative location give geographers unique information between geographers unique information between the site and situation of a placethe site and situation of a place

SiteSite

SiteSiteSpecific location including its physical settingSpecific location including its physical setting

EX: Miami is in Southeastern Florida, facing the EX: Miami is in Southeastern Florida, facing the Atlantic OceanAtlantic Ocean

SituationSituationRelative locationRelative location

Ex: Miami is a city in Southeastern FloridaEx: Miami is a city in Southeastern Florida

PlacePlace

A particular location with both physical and A particular location with both physical and human meaninghuman meaningGrouped into regions based on their Grouped into regions based on their

similaritiessimilaritiesFormal- common characteristic (Rust Belt)Formal- common characteristic (Rust Belt)Functional- central place w/surrounding areas Functional- central place w/surrounding areas

linked to itlinked to itPerceptual- defined by popular beliefs (heartland)Perceptual- defined by popular beliefs (heartland)

Uses and Research MethodsUses and Research Methods

Insight- clues as to how things developedInsight- clues as to how things developed Direct observation- visit a place to get specific Direct observation- visit a place to get specific

infoinfo Interviewing- find out how people feel about a Interviewing- find out how people feel about a

certain place certain place Statistical Analysis- temp, rainfall, snow, etc.Statistical Analysis- temp, rainfall, snow, etc. Geographical Information Systems (GIS)- Geographical Information Systems (GIS)-

computer tools that process and organize info computer tools that process and organize info taken from satellite imagestaken from satellite images EX: building roads, tracking movement of wildlife pop.EX: building roads, tracking movement of wildlife pop.