Chapter 1 Flashcards

1
Q

The Great Circle Route

A

An imaginary line that follows the curve of the Earth and represents the shortest distance between two points

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2
Q

Map projection

A

A mathematical formula used to represent the curved surface of the Earth on the flat surface of the map.

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3
Q

Planar Projection

A

A map created by projecting an image of the Earth onto a geometric plane

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4
Q

Cylindrical Projection

A

A map created by projecting Earth’s image onto a cylinder

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5
Q

Conic Projection

A

A map created by projecting an image of Earth onto a cone placed over part of an Earth model

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6
Q

Absolute location

A

The EXACT position of a place on the Earth’s surface

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7
Q

Relative location

A

location in relation to other places

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8
Q

Elevation

A

The height of a land surface above the level of the sea

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9
Q

Thematic Map

A

A map that emphasizes a single idea or a particular kind of info about an area

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10
Q

Global Positioning System (GPS)

A

A navigational system that can determine absolute location by using satellites and receivers on Earth

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11
Q

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

A

Computer programs that process and organize details about places on Earth and integrate those details with satellite images and other pieces of information

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12
Q

Remote Sensing

A

the science of obtaining information about an object or an area from a distance, typically from instruments in aircraft or satellites.

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13
Q

Spatial Perspective

A

A way of looking at the human and physical patterns on Earth and their relationships to one another

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14
Q

Formal region

A

A region defined by a common characteristic, such as the projection of a project

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15
Q

Functional region

A

A central place and the surrounding territory linked to it

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16
Q

Perceptual region

A

a region defined by popular feelings and images rather than by objective data

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17
Q

Cartographer

A

A person who draws or produces maps

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18
Q

Degrees (latitude and longitude)

A

Latitude (also called parallels): Runs East to West and measures the distances North and South of the Equator
Longitude(also called meridians): Runs North to South and measures the distances East and West of the Prime Meridian

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19
Q

What is political geography?

A

The branch of geography that deals with the boundaries, divisions, and possessions of countries

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20
Q

How are electoral districts drawn and how do they affect political power?

A

First, they use U.S Census data to figure out how many representatives each state has based on populations. Using that information, the states then draw out district lines so that the populations in them are roughly the same. It affects political power because some people in power use this to manipulate the outcomes of future elections.

21
Q

Why is studying geography important?

A

Because it involves looking at every aspect of the Earth’s systems and how they affect each other and how interconnected they are

22
Q

What is the difference between a map and a globe?

A

A globe is a scale model of the Earth that accurately displays properties such as area, distance, and direction. A map is a representation of all or part of the Earth but is definitely not as accurate as a globe.

23
Q

Legend

A

Explains the meaning to the various symbols used on a map

24
Q

Compass Rose

A

Indicates direction or the orientation of a map

25
Q

Line symbols

A

emphasizes various features of human activity

26
Q

Colors

A

Distinguishes elements on a map

27
Q

Scale

A

Shows the consistent proportional relationship between the measurements shown on a map and the actual measurements of the Earth’s surface.

28
Q

Explain what a mental map is and 3 reasons they are so important.

A

A mental map is your perception of the features of the Earth’s surface. Mental maps help geographers understand how individuals view their relationships with the space around them. They also provide an effective way of answering and remembering important geographical questions about locations, characteristics, patterns, and relationships of places and regions. It teaches people how to mentally organize the spacial information emphasized on a map.

29
Q

What are 2 examples of geospatial technologies and why are they important?

A

GPS and GIS. Geospatial technologies assist geographers and other professionals in answering geographic questions. They also use satellites that provide them with detailed geographic representations of the Earth’s state.

30
Q

What areas of work can human geographers specialize in?

A

Health care, transportation, population studies, economic development, public policy, and international economics.

31
Q

The 6 elements of geography

A
  1. the world in spatial terms
  2. places and regions
  3. physical systems
  4. Human systems
  5. environment and society
    6 The uses of geography
32
Q

The World in spatial terms

A

Spatial relationships link people and places based on their locations and relationships to each other. Location is a reference point for geographers in the same way that dates serve as reference points for historians.

33
Q

Places and regions

A

A place has physical and human significance. It has distinguishing characteristics defined by its features and surroundings. Geographers study and assess the similarities and differences between places to express what features are unique to each place.

34
Q

Physical systems

A

Physical geography—climate, land, water, plants, and animal life—looks at these processes and their significance to humans.

35
Q

Human systems

A

Human geography, or cultural geography, analyzes human activities and their relationship to the cultural and physical environments.

36
Q

Environment and society

A

The relationship between people and their physical environment is a theme embodied by human-environment interaction. Ways in which people use their surroundings, ways in which they change it voluntarily and involuntarily, and the consequences that result from such human-environment interaction are very important themes for geographers

37
Q

The uses of geography

A

Geography provides insight into how physical features and living things developed in the past. It also takes into account current trends regarding the physical and human environment in order to plan for future needs.

38
Q

What are the research methods geographers use?

A

Mapping, Direct observation and measurement, interviewing and analyzing statistics

39
Q

Geography has important relationships to other subjects. What are these other subjects and what relationship do they have with each.

A

Understanding historical Patterns, economies, politics and political patterns, and the impact of societies and cultures on the landscapes.

40
Q

Geography

A

The study of everything on Earth

Examples:

  1. how the natural environment influences people
  2. How the activities of people affect the Earth
  3. How the world changes over time
  4. Cultures and resources of different people
41
Q

Region

A

An area with one or more common features that make it different from surrounding areas

Examples:
Formal region
Functional region
Perceptual region

42
Q

Large scale maps

A

Are able to show more detail, since they can “zoom in” on the features being displayed.

43
Q

Small scale maps

A

Are more useful for giving broad interviews of large area

44
Q

Hemispheres

A

Division tool used to break the world into east, west, north and south

45
Q

demography

A

the study of population

46
Q

latitude

A

Lines running parallell to the equator (0) degrees measuring distances north an south. Also called “parallels”

47
Q

Equator

A

lines running around the circumference of the Earth making area that receives the most sunlight annually (center of the tropics)

48
Q

longitude

A

lines running north and south measuring distances east and west. Marks the boundary between time zones

49
Q

Prime Meridian

A

the line of longitude that is designated “0” degrees an sets standard for international time