Chapter Notes 1-1 (Thinking Like A Geographer) Geography - the study of the earth and its people. Greek Origin - “description of the earth” Geographers.

Chapter Notes 1-1 (Thinking Like A Geographer)

Geography - the study of the earth and its people. Greek Origin - “description of the earth”

Geographers use 5 geographic themes to study the earth as the home of people:

I.Location - Knowing where you are. Position of a place on the Earth’s surfaceA.There are two kinds of location: 1. Absolute Location – exact spot on earth 2. Relative Location - comparing two places

B.Latitude and longitude are imaginary lines that form a grid system. 1. Latitude - called “parallels”; runs east and west. 2. Longitude - called “meridians”; runs north and south

C. The equator divides the earth into northern and southern hemispheres. (0 * Latitude)

D. The prime meridian divides the earth into eastern and western hemispheres (0* Longitude)

E. Hemispheres - one half of the globe.

II. Place – refers to the characteristics of a location that make it different. (physical/human)

III.Human/Environment Interaction – how people affect, and are affected by, their environment (natural surroundings).

IV. Movement – how and why people, ideas, and goods move from place to place

V. Region - areas that have features in common. Determined by human traits (language, religion, occupation) or by physical features (landscape, climate).

Chapter Notes 1-1 (A Geographer’s Tools)

I.Types of Geography

A. Geographers study the physical and human features of people living in a place.

B. Geographers also study how people interact with their environment.

II. Map Systems

A.Maps are a tool geographers use organize information of a place.

B.The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a special device that receives a signal from a satellite that gives a location (lat./long).

C.The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) helps gather data that is used for special maps.

Parts of a Map (Geography Skills Handbook)

1. Title - tells the reader what is on the map

2. Legend (Key) - Interprets the colors and symbols and what they represent.

3. Grid System - lines used to find absolute location.

4. Compass Rose - shows direction

5. Scale - shows the relationship between a unit of measure on a map and a unit of measure on the earth.

Map Information

A. General Reference Maps

Gives the reader such information as location, size, and distance.

1. political: countries borders, states, and cities2. physical: landforms and water features

B. Thematic Maps

Gives the reader more specific information, often on a single topic. They show the distribution or amount of something in a certain area.

1. Land Use and Resources2. Climate and Vegetation

Types of Graphs (Geography Skills Handbook)

1.Bar Graphs – use bars to compare data visually

Types of Graphs (Geography Skills Handbook)

1.Line Graphs – show changes over a period of time

Types of Graphs (Geography Skills Handbook)

1.Circle Graphs – uses a circle to show the whole of something (100%)

Types of Graphs (Geography Skills Handbook)

1. Charts - present related facts and numbers in an organized way

Types of Graphs (Geography Skills Handbook)

1. Diagrams – drawings that steps in a process, point out the parts of an object , or explains how something works.