geographical skills Flashcards
topographic maps def
a type of map characterised by large-scale detail and quantative representation of relief, ususally using contour lines, but a variety of methods can be used.
analysis def
to study or examine something in detail
interpretation def
to give the meaning of something
application def
the action of putting something into operation
how do you measure a curve on a map
divide the curve in to straight sections and measure these straight line distances.
grid references def
the referal to a grid of squares which helps the map-reader to locate a place
eastings
the vertical lines on a map
northings
the horizontal lines on a map
what does a 4 figure grid reference locate
a grid square
what are 4 figure grid references used to locate
a fairly large feature e.g. town or valley
what does a 6 figure grid reference measure
an exact point
what are 6 figure grid references used to locate
a conventional sign or building
how do you find a 4 figure grid reference
use the first two figures/nubers to go along the bottom, from left to right. use the second two figures/nu,bers to go up the side. draw lines where you have gone up and along, to find the PRECISE AND EXACT point.
how do you find a 6 figure grid reference
use the first two figures/nubers to go along the bottom, from left to right. use the second two figures/nu,bers to go up the side. draw lines where you have gone up and along, to find the PRECISE AND EXACT point. however because it is 6 figures, it will not be on one of the map lines, as the large square has effectively been split into 10. e.g. 065 675, the up one will be in the middle as 5 is in the middle of 10.
16 points of the compass
north north north east north east east north east east east south east south east south south east south south south west south west west south west west west north west north west north west north north
compass def
an instrument used for navigation and orientation that shows direction relative to the geographic directions or points.
grid bearing def
a bearing measured from grid north
what grid bearing it north
0
what grid bearing is east
90
what grid bearing is south
180
what grid bearing is west
270
where do you place the compass when finding a grid bearing
in the middle of the square.
where does the grid bearing measurement start from
the square it’s FROM, at north at 0
contour line def
a line that joins places on the map with the same height.
what is the contour interval
the height between contours. this can either be 5 or 10m
what is the spot height
an exact point, or spot, ont hemap with a height measurement written beside it
what is the trigonometrical station
a small, blue/black triangle with an exact height measurement written beside it
what does a lack of contour lines on a map mean
it is very flat land
what does very close contour lines on a map mean
the land is very steep
if the land is VERY steep (vertical-cliff)
a special sign will be used that can be found in the key
what contour pattern will a hill have
a series of circular shaped contours
what contour pattern will a valley have
a V-shaped set of contours, usually with a river in the bottom.
geographical term for a high flat area
high ridge or plateau
geographical term for a steep slope
scarp slope
other geographical terms
floodplain, broad, flat, steep-sided, deeply cut (by a river), gently sloping
what is density of drainage
the length of streams, rivers, or drainage channels you find in a grid square.
if a grid square has lots of rivers and streams it has
high drainage density
if a grid square has few rivers and streams it has
low drainage density
describe shape and form of river channels
meanders
oxbow lakes
deltas
physical features of coastlines
cliffs, headlands and bays, beaches, spits, bars and tombolos
cross section def
a drawing that shows what the inside of something looks like after a cut has been made through it
what do cross sections allow you to see
areas of flat, steep and gentle slopes and locate rivers and towns etc. used to analyse and describe certain areas of the map.
main patterns of settlement
dispersed, linear, nuclear
urban morphology def
the geographical shape of urban development
isoline map def
the prefix iso means equal
a map with continuous lines joining points of the same value; examples include equal height (contour lines), temperature (isotherms), rainfall (isohyet) and barometric pressure (isobars)
chloropleth map def
a thematic map in which areas are shaded or patterned in proportion to the measurement of the statistical variable which is being displayed on the map, such as population density or per-capita income, each colour is associated with a different, quantitative value.
what should transport/communication networks be recognised in terms of
their type and density in relation to the physcial geography (i.e. keeping to areas of flat land and valley floors, avoiding steep slopes and mountainous areas)
and
human geography, (linking settlment together, taking traffic around a large town or city rather than through the middle (by pass)features
what must descriptions of patterns of settlements be entirely based on
map evidence, showing interaction between humans and their physical environment
examples of land use based on physical environment
upland and lowland areas as a result of climate differences due to height differences
differences between dense settlement on river floodplains and sparse settlement on steep upland slopes
describe def
write what something is like or where it is
compare def
describe two situations and present both the similarities and differences
explain def
write about why something occurs or happens and make plain, or intelligible, a concept or idea
high and low population reasons
hot/cold wet/dry fertile/infertile land mountainous/flat fertile river valleys natural resources
migraiton reasons
how many people
is it international or national
economic/forced/voluntary
identify areas of
population density population migration road/rail transport networks settlement sizes, shapes and patterns relief (shape and height of land) river - floodplains, deltas, meanders, oxbow lakes coastal volcanoes and earthquake features
what can you relate coastal features to
resistant and less resistant rock and differential erosion, spits, bars, tomobolos, beaches, wave-cut platforms and cliffs.
contrasts in population pyramids
male vs female
economically active and non-economically active population
young and old dependents
comparing two pyramids, usually a HIC and LIC
what are line graphs often used to show
temperature
rainfall/precipitation
what does a histogram represent
a graphical representation of numerical data
waht are triangular graphs usually used to show
compare % of people who are working in primary, secondary, or tertiary industry. 3 axes instead of the normal 2
what is good about divided bar charts
they can display similar data
what are pie charts useful for
showing the size proportions of different categories in a data set.
what must pie chart data be converted into before making
perentages, then into a proportion of 360. this is done by multiplying percentage value by 3.6
what are proportionally divided circles
used to compare a particular set of data in two areas. e.g. industry sectors in two countries with very different total populations. the proportion si type sof industry, and size/area of the circles is proportional to relative populations of country.
what are radial graphs
the values extend out from a central point to show the relationship of each variable to the central point or location.
why are radial graphs useful
they can show a number of different variables.
most common type of radial graph
wind rose. four axes show N,E,S,W. number on each axis show length of time (days). therefore the prevailing/most common wind can be found. centre shows how many days with no wind.
scatter graphs show
relationship between two variables that are being investigated and any correlation between them.
independent variable goes on the
x axis
dependent variable goes on the
y axis
when are scatter diagrams more useful
when a statistical test is applied to the data
what do flow diagrams show
systems with inputs, processes and outputs.
what are kite diagrams useful for
looking at patterns of zonation in vegetation
what do data tables provide info on
physical phononema such as river discharges, flood events, size of earthquakes, economic activities, population/settlement, agricultural and manufacturing output etc.
correlation def
process of establishing a relationship or connection between two or more things
independent variable def
the factor that is changed or controlled in a scientific study to test the effects on the dependent variable
dependent variable def
the factor being tested and measured in a scientific study. dependent on the independent variable.
line of best fit def
a line through the centre of results with an equal number of points above and below th eline
kite diagram def
a graph that shows the density or distribution of species that have been found along a transect.
oblique photograph def
a photogrpah taken with camera axis inclined away from the vertical. usuallty covers more ground than a vertical photo from same altituide.
GIS def
a system used to capture, store, manipulate, analyse, manage, present spatial or geographic data
field sketching def
a drawing forming a fundamental part of any field work investigation. simple qualitiative technique which, done correctly will support data collected and enhance a study.
natural landscape:
high, low, steep, gently sloping, mountians, hills, cliffs, vertical slopes, bare rock, loose rock and scree
valleys:
small, large, V-shaped, wide or narrow, tributary valleys, confluence, gorges, waterfalls, rapids, oxbow lakes, river cliffs, point bars.
river/streams:
wide/narrow, fast/slow, turbulant, muddy/full of sediment, clear, lakes, ponds, resevoirs, well drained, poorly drained.
coastal:
beaches, spits, bars, lagoons, tombolos, sand, pebbles, marshes, cliffs (high, low, steep, vertical, bare rock, vegetated, collapsed) salt water, high, wave cut platforms, caves, arches, stacks, stumps, geos, cliffs with cracks/faults, joints, bedding planes, layers of rock
vegetation:
forests, woods, trees, shrubs, grass, bare ground, deforested, cleared
farmland:
fields, large/small, arable, pastoral, crops, hedges, shelter belts, fences ditches.
cities and towns:
shops, offices, banks, restaurants, cafes, hotels, flats, apartments, residential, multi-storey,, low rise, modern new old buildings, flat roofs, steep roofs, high density, low density buildings, concrete, brick, glass, balconies
rural areas:
villages, individual housing, farmhouses , single story, two storey, farms, farmland, fields, crops orchards, woods, forests.
streets and roads:
narrow, wide, straight, winding, sealed, unsealed, pavements, motorways, roundabouts, cars, lorries/trucks, buses, coaches, cycles, motorbikes.
methodology def
a system of methods used in a particular area of study or activity.
hypothesis df
a proposed explanation for a phenomenon taking place.
