Geo Basics Flashcards
location
a specific place on the Earth
answers “where is it?”
grid system
pattern formed as the lines of latitude and longitude cross one another
Equator
0o latitude
imaginary line that runs around the earth halfway b/w the North & South Poles
used as the starting pt to measure degrees of north & sth latitudes
Poles
latitudes 90N and 90S
6 months, 1 Pole tilted toward sun & receives continuous sunlight, while the other receives little-no sunlight
meridian
one of many lines on the global grid running from the Nrth Pole 2 the Sth Ple, used to msure degrees of longitude
360o total
Prime Meridian
line of the global grid running from the North Pole to the South Pole at Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England; starting pt for measuring degrees of east/west long
0o longitude
Global Grid
every place has a global address (abstract location)
more preise than degrees
60 units called minutes
globe
a scale model of the earth
not as detailed
map
a symbolic representiaon of all or part of the planet on a flat piece of paper
detailed
purpose of a map usually dictates which projection is used
cartographers
mapmakers
use math formulas to transfer info from the 3D globe to a 2D map
distortion
when curves of a globe become straight lines on a map
distortion of size, shape, distance, or area occurs
planar/azimuthal projection
often used for maps of the Poles
great circle routes
traveling along a great circle
most efficient path for global travel
great circle
an imaginary line that follows the curve of the Earth
important difference between globes and maps ⇒ cuz globes r round, accurately shows great circle route but on map, looks longer
cylindrical projection
based on the projection of the globe onto a cylinder.
most accurate near Equator
shapes & distances distorted near Poles
conic projection
placing cone over part of globe
best for showing limited east-west areas that r not too far from the Equator
can indicate distances & directions fairly accurately
Portoguese
1400’s recorded longitude & latitude for sea travel using muslim technology
dead reckoning
the process of calculating one’s position, esp. at sea, by estimating the direction and distance traveled rather than by using landmarks, astronomical observations, or electronic navigation methods.
the process of calculating one’s current position by using a previously determined position, or fix, and advancing that position based upon known or estimated speeds over elapsed time, and course.
why is the Prime Meridian in England?
they held a conference & decidied it. were in power then.
International Date Line
day begins there
countries can choose what time zone they’re in
180o longitude (not east or west)
how many hemispheres? quadrants? names?
4 hemispheres (N, S, E, W)
4 quadrants (NE, SE, SW, NW)
we r in NW
Africa = all 4 (except not in SW)
parallel
1 of many lines on the global grid tht circles the earth nrth/sth of the Equator; used 2 measure degrees of lat
180o total
coordinates
statistical

