WHAT IS GEOGRAPHY?

WHAT IS GEOGRAPHY?

Most people think

geography is just about

simply knowing

where things are on a map.

BUT . . . does it make a

difference where things are located?

If the answer is “YOU BET IT DOES!” that is

when geographers want to investigate!

Geographers study the WHY of

the WHERE.

BIG IDEA

MAP FUNDAMENTALS

Map-Making – Geography is more than just maps!

CARTOGRAPHY

“All maps lie flat, and all flat maps lie.”

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MAP PROJECTIONS

Lesson 7 – Unit 2

Map Projection

Flat Surface

Geoid

No three-dimensional shape can be transformed to two-dimensional shape without losing some detail or distorting some features:DISTANCESHAPEAREADIRECTION

Distortion

Accurate compass directionDistorts the area of landmassesWorks well for ocean navigation – distance is true everywhere on the map

Mercator Projection

Accurate sizes of landmassesControversial – why?

Peter Projection

Maintains accurate size and shape of landmassesCompletely rearranges direction – no cardinal directions

Fuller Projection

Does not maintain accurate area, shape, distance, or direction, but minimizes errors – Used in most classrooms

Robinson Projection

TYPES of MAPS

Isoline Map

Thematic Map

Choropleth Map

Reference Map

Cartogram

Dot Maps

Proportional –Symbols Map

Mental Map

Cartographic Scale