chap 1 : what is human geog Flashcards
geography focuses on what?
interaction of ppl and places
diff between physical and human geog?
phys: Severe weather, landforms, earthquakes, and volcanoes, as
well as soil, plant, animal ecology
human: Development and expansion of urban and rural settlements,
food production, patterns of cultural activity, population
change, geopolitical relations
why think geographically?
-Enables a unique way of seeing the world
-Helps us understand complex problems
-Helps us see connections at a variety of scales
in ancient greeks, geo= ?
graphos = ?
the world , to write
2 distinct tools of geography?
- maps
- recent geomatics technologies (methods for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting geographic information, including GPS, GIS, and remote sensing.)
3 types of map scale:
written statement- ratio / fraction-
-graphic
small scale vs large scale?
Small scale (entire cities): Large areas
-Less detail
-ex: City 1:10,000
Large scale (1 building):
-small area
- more detail
-ex: building 1:1,000
There is an … number of possible projections
infinite
4 main “real world” properties we try to preserve
- shape : Conformal projections – Mercator
- distance: Equidistant projections
- size/ area : Equal Area projections – Gall-Peters
- direction: from one point to another- Azimuthal projections
some properties opt for compromise like which projection?
Gall’s projection
▸Mercator projection is …
conformal
standard world map projection used from 1600s to 1960s
when did Peters create his equal area projection?
1967
equidistant
Show true distances in
all directions from
one or two central
points
compromise:
sacrifice some or all properties to provide a more balanced view of the world
– Robinson projection (we use in this course)
– Gall’s (used in our atlas)
The grid system needed for what?
- navigation
- plotting location
- spherical earth
latitude
equator : imp point of reference
flat lines/ horizontal lines
0-90 degrees= range
longitude
prime meridian Greenwich: point of reference
long/ vertical lines
range= 0-180
thematic maps 3 purposes:
- simplify
- classify
- represent or symbolize
points, lines, areas: represents what in a map?
- houses, school
- roads, power lines
- parks, farms
types of thematic maps:
dot maps : measure concentration
choropleth map: difference indicated by shades or colours
isoline maps: rainfall map/ rivers/
cartograms: distortion of area size: ex: population distribution
geomatics:
-Remote sensing
-Computer-assisted cartography
-Global positioning systems (GPS)
-Geographic information systems (GIS)
satellites measure ___
electromagnetic radiation
computer- assisted cartography
-Changed production, data storage, updating
-Enabled rapid creation and updating
maps generated from computer:
-Loss of drafting skills
-Continued need for design skill
GPS (Global Positioning System)
-Satellites track position through transmitters
-changing navigation practices
GPS controversies:
Privacy and permission problems
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- allows us to better analyze the data we collect
-Can overlay multiple data in a single map
-Allows spatial analysis
enhancing general geographical awareness?
no formula
Knowing people, places, and their interactions requires
-Constant attention to world, regional, and local events
-Evaluation
-Relating events to location
