Introduction to Geography and Map Essentials

1. Unit 1 Geography Principles

2. Basic Terms • A globe is a scale model of the earth. • A grid of lines is superimposed. • Lines going east-west are Latitude. • Lines going north-south are Longitude. • Latitude lines are parallel lines. • Longitudinal lines are meridians. • Meridians intersect at the poles. • The equator is equal distant from each pole. • The Prime Meridian runs through Greenwich, En • The Prime Meridian is 0 degrees Longitude.

5. Degrees & Minutes • Latitude is measured in degrees. • Degrees are subdivided into minutes. • 60 minutes is one degree. • North of the equator is marked N • South of the equator is marked S • East of the prime meridian is marked E. • West of the prime meridian is marked W.

7. Range • Latitude runs from 0 degrees to 90 degrees North or South. • Longitude ranges from 0 degrees to 180 degrees East and West. • What is 0 degrees longitude? • What is 0 degrees Latitude? • Where do they intersect?

8. Hemispheres • The equator divides the globe into two hemispheres. • The Northern Hemisphere is north of the equator. • The Southern Equator is south of the equator. • The PM and 180 degree meridian divide the globe into two hemispheres: Eastern and Western Hemisphere.

11. Continents • The land surface of the Earth is divided into 7 Continents. • Africa • Antarctica • Asia • Australia • Europe • North America • South America

13. The World Ocean • In reality there is only one ocean on the earth. Why is this true? • Nonetheless, we divide the ocean into: • Atlantic Ocean • Arctic Ocean • Indian Ocean • Pacific Ocean

15. Islands & Lakes • An island is a land mass surrounded by water. • A lake or sea are smaller bodies of water. • Think about how islands are separated from continents and lakes are separated from oceans.

17. Maps • A map is a flat diagram representing the earth’s surface. • How is a map different from a globe? • There are different ways to represent the earth’s surface. • These ways are called projections. • There is no way to accurately represent a globe on a flat surface.

19. Types of Projections • Cylindrical (Mercator) • Conic • Flat Plane • What are the benefits and the problems with each projection?

23. The Problem with Projections • There are four basic characteristics of a map that are distorted to some degree, depending on the map projection used. These characteristics include distance, direction, shape, and area.

24. Map Essentials • Title that tells the subject of the map. • Compass Rose or North Arrow defines direction and orientation. • Scale provides a ratio or formula for determining distance. • Legend defines symbols used in a map. • Locator map shows where on the globe the current map is located.

26. Types of Maps • Historical maps provides a “snap shot” of the past in a given region. (Thematic Map) • Route maps show how people traveled. Think battles, trade or exploration. (Thematic Map) • Political maps show national borders and political subdivisions. • Physical maps provide the physical features of an area. Topographical maps are an example.

28. Geographic Dictionary • Trace and draw/illustrate pages H8 and H9

29. Label each on your illustration and define each on the back side.