Re-introduction to Geography

Geography Basics

What is GEOGRAPHY?

●The study of the
Earth and how it has
formed/changed over
time

●What has the ability
to change the Earth?

●There are two main
fields of Geography:

○Physical

○Human

●Geography includes the study of all of these
topics and more:

Geography Basics

Where do we find info on these topics?

From:

1.

GIS

2.

Field Work

3.

Satellite Images

4.

Maps/Globes

5.

Photographs

6.

Databases

7.

Primary Sources

8.

Diagrams

Geographic Information Systems

Multiple Choice

What type of company is most likely to use GIS?

• energy company

• bank

• advertising company

• car company

Field Work

Satellite Images

Maps/Globes

Geographic Photographs

Databases

Primary Resources

●Artifacts (coins, fossils, plants, tools)

●Interviews

●Journals/News Articles

●Audio/Video Recordings (tv, radio)

●Documents/Records (wills, treaties)

●Diaries/Letters

●Works of Art, Literature, Music,
Architecture

●Photographs

●Speeches

Diagrams

Geography Basics

Where does Geographic Info come from? What info does each give us?

●Field Work

What can you see?

Best for?

●Satellite Images

What can you see?

Best for?

●Maps/Globes

What can you see?

Best for?

●Photographs

What can you see?

Best for?

●Databases

What can you see?

Best for?

●Primary Sources

What can you see?

Best for?

●Diagrams

What can you see?

Best for?

REVIEW IT!

Multiple Choice

What is the best way to see the effects of a hurricane?

• Satellite images

• Databases

• maps & globes

• interview (primary source)

Multiple Choice

What is the best way to calculate GDP per capita for a country?

• field work

• databases

• maps & globes

• primary sources

Multiple Choice

• A

• B

• C

• D

MAPS

Purpose: to provide/find location

We will learn:

● READING MAPS
● TYPES OF MAPS

Maps: Finding & Providing Location

…to provide…

Use of…

Maps: Finding & Providing Location

● Absolute

Location

Maps: Finding &
Providing Location

● Relative Location

MENTAL MAPS

1. Mental maps are based on knowledge and perceptions. (objective vs. subjective)
2. People develop and refine their mental maps through both personal experience and learning.
3. Mental maps serve as indicators of how well people know the spatial characteristics of certain places.

Compare and contrast these mental maps of AFRICA using 1-3 above:

USING “MENTAL MAPS”

● Describing the location of

places in terms of reference
points

○The Equator runs through
the middle of Africa

● Describing the location of

places in terms of geographic
features and landforms

○ Most of Africa is located

South of the Sahara

● Describing the location of

places in terms of the human
characteristics of a place

○ Most people of Africa are

Muslim or Christian
Example 1

Example 2

Multiple Choice

What term applies:

Bayside High School is located at 36.8 $$\degree$$ N, 76.1 $$\degree$$ W.

• relative location

• absolute location

• mental map

• geographical perspective

Multiple Choice

What term applies:

"I live by the rec center."

• relative location

• absolute location

• mental map

• geographical perspective

Multiple Choice

What term applies:

Better understanding global events such as Russia invading Ukraine.

• relative location

• absolute location

• mental map

• geographical perspective

Multiple Choice

• A

• B

• C

• D

Geographic Concepts: How to Read Maps

● Orientation

Compass Rose

Geographic Concepts

● Map Distortion

How does turning a
spherical object into
a flat one affect the
size and shape of
features on it?

Multiple Choice

A compass rose is useful for determining _____.

• orientation

• latitude & longitude

• GIS

• scale

ROBINSON

MERCATOR

Geographic Concepts → MAP PROJECTIONS

Geographic Concepts → MAP PROJECTIONS

ROBINSON

MERCATOR

Geographic Concepts → MAP PROJECTIONS

Multiple Choice

What is the main issue with the mercator projection?

• distortion

• changes locations of countries

• scale

• inability to determine absolute location

Multiple Choice

• A

• B

• C

• D

Multiple Choice

• A

• B

• C

• D

MAPS ARE USED TO SHOW

DIFFERENT

INFORMATION

Ways maps show information: what does this map show?

● Using Scale

Ways maps show information: what does this map show?

Using…
●Color

●Lines

●Boundaries

●Contours

Ways maps show
information: what does
this map show?

Using…

●Symbols

●Color

●Lines

●Boundaries

Types of thematic maps

● Population (e.g., distribution and density)

WHO might use
this map?
…and for WHAT
purpose?

Think
about it…

Types of thematic maps

● Economic

Activity

WHO might use
this map?
…and for WHAT
purpose?

Think
about it…

Types of

thematic maps
● Resource

WHO might use
this map?
…and for WHAT
purpose?

Think
about it…

Types of thematic maps

● Language

WHO might use
this map?
…and for WHAT
purpose?

Think
about it…

Types of thematic maps

● Ethnicity

WHO might use
this map?
…and for WHAT
purpose?

Think
about it…

Types of thematic maps

● Climate

What does this
map tell us?

Types of thematic maps

● Precipitation

WHO might use
this map?
…and for WHAT
purpose?

Think
about it…

Types of thematic maps

● Vegetation

WHO might use
this map?
…and for WHAT
purpose?

Think
about it…

Types of thematic maps

● Physical

What does this map tell us?

Types of thematic maps

● Political

WHO might use
this map?
…and for WHAT
purpose?

Think
about it…

Multiple Choice

• A

• B

• C

• D

Multiple Choice

• A

• B

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• D

Multiple Choice

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MAPS ARE USED TO REFLECT
INTERESTS, POINTS OF VIEW

AND/OR AMBITIONS*

For instance…

The globe is always shows with
Europe and the United States at the
“top” – WHY…considering that the
Earth is “floating” in the universe, in
which there is no top or bottom, or
North or South…

This image, taken from space by
NASA, is usually rotated before
publishing… WHY?

Some points of view are
based on who has the
most resources

Some points of view are different because of differences in
how people view the world around them…

Australia’s world
map places
Australia front
and center…

While the U.S.
world map
places the U.S.
front and
center…

Map of Columbus time vs. Map of the World Today

Maps change over time as we learn more about our world!

Some points of view are not intentional, but are
created because of lack of knowledge or data

PLACE NAMES

Some places have multiple names, and are called these names by different
people groups, nations, etc. because of disputed control or territories.

Formosa = Taiwan = Republic of China (ROC)

Taiwan, officially
the Republic of
China (ROC), was
formerly known
as Formosa.

PLACE NAMES

Some places have multiple names, and are called these names by different
people groups, nations, etc. because of disputed control or territories.

Palestine ~ Israel ~ West Bank ~ Gaza

These areas are disputed because of ongoing
religious (and geographic) conflicts.

PERSPECTIVES OF PLACE NAMES

Some places have multiple names, and are called these names by different
people groups, nations, etc. based on where you live…

ARABIAN GULF = PERSIAN GULF

SEA OF JAPAN = EAST SEA

MIDDLE EAST = NORTH AFRICA = SOUTHWEST ASIA

DISPUTED AREAS

Korea

Western Sahara

Former Yugoslavia

Kashmir

Sahrawi Arab Democratic
Republic/Polisario Front vs. the
Kingdom of Morocco

Dictatorship vs.

Democracy

Sahrawi Independence

(Ethnic/Racial Differences

& Self-Determination)

Ethnic/Racial/Religious

Differences &

Self-Determination

Religious & Ethnic

Differences

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