Geographical skills Flashcards
Define choropleth map
A thematic map in which areas are coloured or shaded to represent similarities and differences in the theme.
Define isoline map
Isoline map:a thematic map wherelines are drawn to link different places that share a common theme and filled in with colour to show contrasts of the theme
What do thematic maps show?
A thematic map shows the spatial distribution of a particular value in a geographic location.
Define flow line map
Map showing the flows of goods, people, information or ideas between places.
Define cartogram
A map in which the size of countries is adjusted to illustrate the distribution of a feature or statistic eg population size, hunger or poverty.
Define topographic map
A type of map characterised by large-scale detail and quantitative representation of relief features, usually using contour lines.
Information provided by synoptic charts
Synoptic charts provide information on the distribution, movement and patterns of air pressure, rainfall, wind and temperature.
The bars on the left represent what in a population pyramid?
Males
The bars on the right represent what in a population pyramid?
Females
The numbers up the vertical axis (the middle) represent what in a population pyramid?
Ages
The numbers along the horizontal axis (the bottom) represent what in a population pyramid?
Numbers or percentages of the population
Where are the younger and elder age groups located in a population pyramid?
Younger age groups: bottom
Elder age groups: top
Define age distribution
Age distribution: the proportionate numbers of persons in successive age categories in a given population.
Define dependent
Dependent: contingent on or determined by
Define economically active
Economically active: all people who, during a specified time, contribute to or are available to contribute to the production of economic goods and services
Define death rate
Death rate: the number of deaths per one thousand people per year.
Define birth rate
Birth rate: the number of live births per thousand of population per year.
Define ageing population
Ageing population: Refers to changes in the age composition of a population such as that there is an increase in the proportion of older persons
Define average life expectancy
Average life expectancy: the average period that a person may expect to live
Define fertility rate
Fertility rate: the average number of childbirths born to a women in her lifetime
What does a ‘triangular’ population pyramid shape indicate about the age distribution?
That the population is rapidly increasing, the fertility rate is high, the birth rate is high, the death rate is high, low ageing population and low average life expectancy.
What does a ‘beehive’ population shape indicate?
Declining fertility rate, declining population
Define eastings
The lines that run from the top of the page downwards. These numbers increase as you move left to right or eastward across the page.
Define northings
The lines running horizontally across the page. These numbers increase as you move from the bottom to the top or northward.
Rule in Area References
The rule to remember is Eastings before Northings (EBN)
How many numbers in AR
4, first two east then north
How many numbers in GR
6, first three east then north
Another name for synoptic charts
Weather map
What does a synoptic chart show?
The pattern air pressure
The weather at certain times of the day
Weather elements such as temperature, barometric pressure, rain, humidity, cloud masses, wind strength and direction.
Purpose of synoptic chart
Synoptic charts or weather maps provide a snapshot of the weather experienced at a particular place at a certain time.
Define weather
Weather: the constantly changing atmospheric conditions close to ground level
Define climate
Climate: the weather of a specific region averaged over a long period of time.
Name of instrument that measures the air
Barometers
Barometric pressure is measured in what
Hectopascals (hPa)
What are isobars?
Isobars are the series of lines that join places of equal atmospheric (or barometric) pressure
How far apart are isobars drawn apart?
2 hPa
How to estimate atmospheric pressure?
To estimate atmospheric pressure you need to refer to the two nearest isobars. e.g. if point “A” is situated half way between 1006 hPa and 1008 hPa, “A” would be > 1006 but < 1008 hPa.
What happens if the atmospheric pressure is between two isobars?
When the air pressure at a place falls between two isobars you don’t guess what it might be. You write the air pressure at Gregville is between 1006 hPa and 1008 hPa.
Difference of pattern formation between high and low pressure system
In a high pressure system the numbers are getting larger toward the centre
In a low pressure system the numbers are getting smaller toward the centre
Average weight of air at sea level
1013 hPa
What happens if the air pressure is above the average weight of air at sea level?
If air pressure is more than 1013, this is usually an area of sinking air of high pressure.
What happens if the air pressure is below the average weight of air at sea level?
If the air pressure is below 1013, it is an area of rising air & is generally low pressure.
Is high or low pressure good?
High pressure = fine weather.
Low pressure = cloudy weather/rain.
Other name for high pressure system
anticyclones
Other name for low pressure system
Cyclone or depression
Describe anticyclones
Show areas of maximum atmospheric pressure.
Areas of sinking air
Fine weather, clear skies, dry weather and light winds associated with the central part of a high pressure system.
High diurnal (daily) temperature range and cooler nights due to clear skies.
Air pressure is ABOVE 1013 hPA
Winds travel anticlockwise
Describe cyclone or depression
Show areas of lesser atmospheric pressure than surrounding areas.
Areas of rising air
Cloudy, rain weather, stronger winds are associated with a low pressure system.
Lower diurnal (daily) temperature range.
Air pressure is BELOW 1013 hPA
Winds travel clockwise
What are cold fronts?
Formed when cold air moves in and displaces (invades) warm air. Showers can occur at and near the line where the cold front touches the earth’s surface. Winds tend to swing south.
What are warm fronts?
Not common in Australia. Warm fronts usually move more slowly than cold fronts and bring humidity and rain. The associated rain is generally more extensive and continuous than with the cold fronts.
How is wind speed determined?
Is determined by the closeness of the isobars.
The closer the isobars the stronger the winds.
If isobars are far apart a place will generally experience light winds.
How is the wind direction determined?
Wind direction is shown by a line drawn to a dot representing a weather station.
The direction the line shows the direction from which the wind is blowing.
We always refer to the direction of the wind in terms of where the wind is coming from
Describe the legend in synoptic charts
A circle with a dot in the middle means no wind (calm)
The end of the stem of each arrow tells us from which direction the wind is coming.
Wind speed is measured in kilometres per hour
It is shown by small lines attached to the end of the wind direction line.
If no small lines are attached, the wind is blowing at a speed of 1-4 km per hour
How are seasons determined?
Are determined by the location of various pressure systems.
Summer = Lows over Northern Australia and Highs over Southern Australia.
Winter = Highs over Northern Australia and Lows over Southern Australia.
Associated weather with isobars
Closer the isobars, the stronger the winds
Associated weather with warm fronts
Increase in temperature. May bring light showers
Associated weather with cold fronts
Fall in temperature. May bring rain and storms.
Associated weather with low pressure system
Generally cloud weather and a good chance of rain. Winds rotate in clockwise direction.
Associated weather with high pressure system
Generally fine weather. Winds rotate in anticlockwise direction.
Associated weather with tropical cyclones
Torrential rain, very strong and destructive winds in a clockwise direction.
What are latitude lines?
Imaginary lines drawn around the Earth horizontally.
How do we measure latitude?
We measure latitude in other places as either North or South of the equator. Latitude is measured in degrees
What rule must be considered in Latitude and Longtude?
Remember: LA before LO
What numbers are latitude numbered?
All lines of latitude are numbered from 0 to 90 degrees North or South.
Name of seven latitude lines
Equator Tropic of Capricorn Tropic of Cancer Arctic Circle Antarctic Circle North Pole South Pole
Locations of seven latitude lines
Equator (0) Tropic of Cancer (23 ½North) Tropic of Capricorn (23 ½ South) Arctic Circle (66 ½ North) Antarctic Circle (66 ½ South) North Pole (90 North) South Pole (90 South)
What are longitude lines?
Are imaginary lines that run vertically around the world.
What numbers are longitude numbered?
All lines of latitude are numbered from 0 to 180 East or West
Location and name of two longitude lines
Prime Meridian (0) International Date Line (180)
What does latitude and longitude measure?
Latitude measures distance N & S
Longitude measures distance E & W
