Geography Handbook

1. Geography Handbook 6th Grade Social Studies

2. How Do I Study Geography? Five Themes of Geography Location Place Human/Environment interaction Movement Regions

3. Six Essential Elements Location: where a place is. Exact: measured by Longitude & Latitude Relative location: compared to other places nearby. Place: what it is like (physical & human characteristics).Region: grouped by common characteristics. Physical Systems: how environment shaped the Earth’s surface. Interdependence of plants and animals. Human Systems: how people shape the world by settling in different areas. Movement: of people, ideas, and goods. Environment & Society: how does the physical area affect how people live and how people’s actions affect the environment. Uses of Geography: helps us to understand the connections between people, places, and environment over time.

4. Maps and Globes How Do I Use Maps & Globes? Hemispheres: system of imaginary lines that crisscross the globe. Equator – circles the middle of the Earth and divides the Earth into Northern & Southern Hemispheres Prime Meridian – circles the globe from north to south. Everything to the east is in the Eastern Hemisphere, everything to the west is in the Western Hemisphere. The United States is in the North Western Hemisphere

5. Understanding Latitude and Longitude Latitude: parallels the Equator. Measured in degrees north or south Longitude: lines that circle Earth from pole to pole. 0° longitude is the Prime Meridian Absolute Location: the exact location of a place. Where one line of latitude crosses one line of longitude.

6. From Globes to Maps Maps: flat drawing of an area, can include great detail. Includes details on borders, roads, physical features, etc. Globe: a round scale model of the Earth Shows the relative size and location of land and bodies of water. Accurately represents distance and direction.

7. Maps (continued…) To draw a map, the Earth must be represented on a flat surface. This distorts the shape and size of continents and bodies of water; especially near the poles. Different techniques have been developed over time. Great Circle Route Goode’s Interrupted Equal-Area Projection Robison Projection Winkel Tripel Projection Mercator Projection

8. Parts of Maps: Map Key – explains the lines, symbols, and colors used. Scale – a measuring line to help calculate distance Compass Rose – shows cardinal direction (north, south, east, west) Maps (continued…)

9. Types of Maps General Purpose – show a wide range of information Physical Map – shows landforms and water features. Can also show elevation. Political Map – shows the names and boundaries of countries, location of cities, and other human made features. Special Purpose Maps – show specific types of information. Population density, trade routes, natural resources, etc. are examples. Maps (continued…)

10. Using Graphs, Charts, & Diagrams Graphs: summarizes and displays data visually. Bar, Line, and Circle (Pie): used to show changes over time and relationship to the whole. Charts: represents facts and figures in an organized way. Pictographs Climographs Diagrams