Geography Map Skills 101
Dec 29, 2015
Physical features occur naturally
Cultural features are created by people
Physical Features Cultural Features
Five Basic Themes of Geography
1) Location: where places are located on the earth’s surface
2) Place: physical and human characteristics of places
3) Relationships: interaction of people and environment
4) Movement: movement and interaction of people
5) Regions: areas with similar characteristics
Many events in Georgia history did not just happen by chance.They involved people reacting to their physical surroundings.
Four Reference Points for Calculating LatitudeThe North Pole, the South Pole, the Equator, and the center of the earth.
If a line is drawn from the center of earth to the Equator and another line is drawn from the center to the North Pole, the angle made is 90 °
The latitude of any location on earth is between 0 and 90° north or between 0 and 90 ° south
The Prime MeridianWhere do you start counting the meridians?
For a long time cartographers used their own country’s capital as the 0° marker.
In 1884 Greenwich, England was chosen to be the standard during an international convention.
Why England?
They were the world’s leading naval power at the time.
Maps and globes in general are Eurocentric.
The International Date Line
Half way around the world we come to the 180° meridian.
It not only divides east from west, it also marks the beginning point for counting time and dates.
The world has been divided into 24 time zones about 15 degrees apart.
A state, country, or province may want all of its people following the same time.
Except for New Jersey and Hawaii, every state has one or more boundaries based on latitude or longitude.