Chapter 1 - The Geographical Perspective: Maps and Intro Concepts Flashcards
What is physical geography?
focuses on the natural environment and looks at the patterns/processes of natural phenomena, such as weather, and animal and plant ecology
What is human geography?
Seeks to understand where things are found, why they are there, and how they develop and change over time
The study of relationships between society and nature, the places formed out of these relations
What are urban and regional planning
The efficient allocation of available resources
How we develop land to create vibrant, prosperous, and sustainable places
Urban planning is planning within cities, regional planning covers larger areas such as countries
What is geographical luck?
people living in different places have differing access to healthcare, nutrition, and pathogenic challenges.
Length of life is largely a matter of luck
What does the world look like from a spatial perspective
Uneven, unequal
A world divided by cultural differences and politics
An urbanizing world
A shrinking world
How does Human Geography Change Over Time, Specifically with Maps?
decolonization, globalization, and the rise/fall of global superpowers
The land itself doesn’t change that much but the world around it has
what are the function of maps?
Shows us where to go
Where not to go
What you can do
What you can do where
What did maps look like in pre-modern societies
Maps were much more limited, showing the world with just what they knew
They didn’t have GPS so countries and other details were left out
Depending on the cartographer, Europe was often the focal country
what are the 3 main elements of maps
longitude/latitude, map scale, map projections
what is the difference between map scale and projection
map scale is the level of earth depicted on the map, how far zoomed in/out
map projection is the way the spherical globe is projected onto a 2D surface (cylindrical, azimuthal)
what were the Gall-Peter and Mercartor map projections (how does this relate to the map maker’s dilemma)
Gall-Peter had better size, while Mercator had better shape
the dilemma is determining the best way to project the earth onto a map
mercAter … shApe
Define each:
Isopleth map
Chloropleth map
Cartogram
Dot map
Isopleth uses isolines to show items of equal value
Chloropleth uses thermal visuals to represent data on a map
Cartogram distorts map shape to show spatial data
Dot map uses dots to show frequency of phenomena
what are Geographical information systems (GIS)
system used to capture, store, manipulate and analyze data
Manages data through layers
what is remote sensing
Taking information from something without making physical contact with it (aerial / sensory technology)
Our eyes are examples of remote sensors, and we can use telescopes, hot air balloons, and cameras to view land
what is a GPS
Space-based satellite navigation system, which provides location and time information
Global Positioning System (GPS)
