CONCEPTS OF GEOGRAPHIC THINKING How do we learn Geography?

CONCEPTS OF GEOGRAPHIC THINKING

How do we learn Geography?

Where in Canada?• First city in Canada to be established with goals of being a

permanent settlement (1535)

Where in Canada?• The population in 2011 was 516, 622. The metropolitan

area has a population of approximately 765,706.

Where in Canada?• Located along Canada's Saint Lawrence River near where

it meets the St. Charles River.

Where in Canada?• Only 1.5% of its population is English speaking

Quebec City!

Quebec City

5 Concepts of Geographic Thinking• Each of the concepts allows us to learn about geography with a particular

focus.

Concept #1: Spatial Significance- The importance of a place or a region

- What connections exist between the location and physical characteristics of a place/site

- Identify the relationships that exist between the natural and human environment in a place/site

Examples: Why are there so many older style looking buildings in Quebec City?

Why do most people speak French in Quebec City?

Spatial Significance• What does a population settlement map tell us about the

preferred range of latitude for settlement in Canada?

• What do we need to know to answer this question?

Spatial Significance• Answers:

1. What is a map? Are there different types of maps?

2. How to read a map

3. What does a map of Canada look like?

4. What should be included on a map of Canada?

5. What is a population settlement map?

6. What are latitude and longitude?

7. What is a range?

Maps• Maps are pictures or representations of the Earth's surface.

• They show how places are related to each other by distance, direction, and size.

• Maps are a way of showing a part of the Earth's surface on a flat piece of paper.

• Almost all maps have the same characteristics (more on that later)

Political Maps• Do not show physical features

• Show state and national boundaries and capital and major cities

• A capital city is usually marked with a star within a circle.

• Identifies the “political” characteristics of a place

• LOOK ON THE BACK WALL

Physical Maps

• Has colors to show natural patterns

• The colors on the map can stand for types of vegetation, mountain, and natural features

• Identifies the physical characteristics of a place

Climate Map

• The climate of a place is the weather it has season by season, year after year

• Climate maps show the climate in a certain place

World Climate Map

Land Use Resource Map

• These maps show how land is being used. This might refer to:

•vegetation•crops being grown•Forest vs. Agriculture •mines and wells•city zoning

Topographic Map

These maps show a small area with a lot of detail. They show elevation with contour lines, natural and man-made features.

Topographic Map

Contour LinesContour lines represent the elevation at that line.

If you were to walk across a line, you are changing elevation.

Contour Map