Chapter 1 Flashcards
The Great Circle Route
An imaginary line that follows the curve of the Earth and represents the shortest distance between two points
Map projection
A mathematical formula used to represent the curved surface of the Earth on the flat surface of the map.
Planar Projection
A map created by projecting an image of the Earth onto a geometric plane
Cylindrical Projection
A map created by projecting Earth’s image onto a cylinder
Conic Projection
A map created by projecting an image of Earth onto a cone placed over part of an Earth model
Absolute location
The EXACT position of a place on the Earth’s surface
Relative location
location in relation to other places
Elevation
The height of a land surface above the level of the sea
Thematic Map
A map that emphasizes a single idea or a particular kind of info about an area
Global Positioning System (GPS)
A navigational system that can determine absolute location by using satellites and receivers on Earth
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Computer programs that process and organize details about places on Earth and integrate those details with satellite images and other pieces of information
Remote Sensing
the science of obtaining information about an object or an area from a distance, typically from instruments in aircraft or satellites.
Spatial Perspective
A way of looking at the human and physical patterns on Earth and their relationships to one another
Formal region
A region defined by a common characteristic, such as the projection of a project
Functional region
A central place and the surrounding territory linked to it
Perceptual region
a region defined by popular feelings and images rather than by objective data
Cartographer
A person who draws or produces maps
Degrees (latitude and longitude)
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
What is political geography?
The branch of geography that deals with the boundaries, divisions, and possessions of countries
How are electoral districts drawn and how do they affect political power?
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.
Why is studying geography important?
Because it involves looking at every aspect of the Earth’s systems and how they affect each other and how interconnected they are
What is the difference between a map and a globe?
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.
Legend
Explains the meaning to the various symbols used on a map
Compass Rose
Indicates direction or the orientation of a map
Line symbols
emphasizes various features of human activity
Colors
Distinguishes elements on a map
Scale
Shows the consistent proportional relationship between the measurements shown on a map and the actual measurements of the Earth’s surface.
Explain what a mental map is and 3 reasons they are so important.
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.
What are 2 examples of geospatial technologies and why are they important?
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.
What areas of work can human geographers specialize in?
Health care, transportation, population studies, economic development, public policy, and international economics.
The 6 elements of geography
- the world in spatial terms
- places and regions
- physical systems
- Human systems
- environment and society
6 The uses of geography
The World in spatial terms
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.
Places and regions
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.
Physical systems
Physical geography—climate, land, water, plants, and animal life—looks at these processes and their significance to humans.
Human systems
Human geography, or cultural geography, analyzes human activities and their relationship to the cultural and physical environments.
Environment and society
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
The uses of geography
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.
What are the research methods geographers use?
Mapping, Direct observation and measurement, interviewing and analyzing statistics
Geography has important relationships to other subjects. What are these other subjects and what relationship do they have with each.
Understanding historical Patterns, economies, politics and political patterns, and the impact of societies and cultures on the landscapes.
Geography
The study of everything on Earth
Examples:
- how the natural environment influences people
- How the activities of people affect the Earth
- How the world changes over time
- Cultures and resources of different people
Region
An area with one or more common features that make it different from surrounding areas
Examples:
Formal region
Functional region
Perceptual region
Large scale maps
Are able to show more detail, since they can “zoom in” on the features being displayed.
Small scale maps
Are more useful for giving broad interviews of large area
Hemispheres
Division tool used to break the world into east, west, north and south
demography
the study of population
latitude
Lines running parallell to the equator (0) degrees measuring distances north an south. Also called “parallels”
Equator
lines running around the circumference of the Earth making area that receives the most sunlight annually (center of the tropics)
longitude
lines running north and south measuring distances east and west. Marks the boundary between time zones
Prime Meridian
the line of longitude that is designated “0” degrees an sets standard for international time
