1. World Geography Chapter 1 Notes Physical Geography Looking at the Earth
Geography involves the study of places: their locations, their characteristics, and how humans use and move around them.

2. The Five Themes of Geography
Section 1
The Five Themes of Geography

3. Geography
Geography is the study of Earth and the ways people work & live on it
- It focuses on the study of the distribution and interaction of physical features human features on Earth
Geographers – people who study the earth.

4. Geography Geographers look at: - use of space on Earth
- interactions that take place there
- patterns and connections between people and Land

5. Geography Geographers use a variety of tools: - maps - photographs
- charts, graphs, tables
- scale models
- five themes of geography

6. Theme: Location Where is it?
Two types of location (Absolute & Relative)
Absolute Location – a places precise position on the globe
Latitude lines run east to west parallel to the equator and circle the earth (measured north and south from zero to 90 degrees)

8. Theme: Location
Equator is zero degrees latitude and divides the world into two halves
- Northern and southern hemispheres

9. Theme: Location
Earth is tilted at 23 ½ degrees (tropics receive the most heat from the sun)
- 23 ½ degrees south Tropic of Capricorn
- 23 ½ degrees north Tropic of Cancer

10. Theme: Location
Longitude lines or Meridians run north to south & go over the poles
- measured east and west from zero to 180 degrees
Prime Meridian is zero degrees longitude
- Divides the world into Eastern & Western hemispheres
- It runs through Greenwich, England
Longitude & Latitude Lines Intersect to form a Grid System

11. Theme: Location
Relative Location - where something is in relation to other places
- How we give directions

13. Theme: Place What is it Like?
Place includes physical features and cultural characteristics
- physical features include climate, landforms, vegetation
- cultural characteristics include dams, highways, houses customs, religions, foods, & activities that take place there

14. Theme: Region How are Places Similar or Different?
A region is an area united by similar characteristics
Unifying characteristics—physical, political, economic, cultural
Three types of regions:
- formal
- functional
- perceptual

15. Theme: Region
Formal Regions - Defined by a limited number of related characteristics
Formal regions of the world:
- The United States and Canada
- Latin America
- Europe
- Russia and the Republics
- Africa
- Southwest Asia
- South Asia
- East Asia
- Southeast Asia, Oceania, and Antarctica

16. Theme: Region
Functional Regions - Organized around interactions and connections between places
- Example: a city and its suburbs are connected through human movement
Perceptual Regions - Region with characteristics people perceive in much the same way
- Example: the American Midwest
- Sometimes perceptions differ: Does Midwest begin in Ohio or Illinois?

17. Theme: Human-Environment Interaction
How Do People Relate to the Physical World?
A relationship exists between people and their environment
People use and change the environment to meet their needs
People adapt to environmental conditions they cannot change
Often, people in similar environments adapt in different ways
- Using hot climates near water for recreational activities or farming

18. Theme: Movement
How Do People, Goods, and Ideas Get from One Place to Another?
The movement of goods, information, and ideas
Geographers use three types of distance to analyze movement
- linear distance, time distance, & psychological distance

19. Theme: Movement
Linear distance - how far a person, product, or idea travels
Time distance -how long it takes for person, product, idea to travel
Psychological Distance - Refers to the way people perceive distance
- Example: unfamiliar places may seem farther away than familiar ones
Interdependent - where people rely on each other for goods, services , and ideas

20. The Geographer’s Tools
Section 2
The Geographer’s Tools

21. Maps and Globes
Geographers tools include maps, globes, & data that can be displayed in a variety of ways
Oldest known map: Babylonian clay tablet, circa 500 B.C.
Maps show locations of places, landforms, bodies of water

22. Two or Three Dimensions
Globe—a three-dimensional representation (a sphere) of Earth
Most accurate replication of Earth
Globes can show the "Great Circle Route" - the shortest distance between any two points on the earth's surface

23. Two or Three Dimensions
Map—a two-dimensional graphic representation of Earth’s surface
Cartographer (mapmaker) tries to accurately reflect earth’s surface
Map projection way of showing Earth’s curved surface on a flat map
Robinson
Conical

24. Parts of a Map Key - explains the symbol used on a map
- Star - capital city
- Airplane – airport
Compass Rose - shows the cardinal directions (north, east, west, south)
- May also show the intermediate directions (northwest, northeast, southeast, southwest)
- May only show one direction (Location of the other directions can be located in relation to the given direction)
Scale - means that a certain measurement on a map represents a certain measurement on the earth's surface.

25. Types of Maps
Three types of maps: general reference, thematic, navigational
General reference maps
- Political map - Shows the political boundaries of countries and often smaller units such as states
- Physical map - shows the relief or difference in elevation or height of
landforms in an area
- Topographic map—shows natural and man-made features of earth

26. Types of Maps
Thematic map or Special Purpose map - shows specific data such as
- Climate
- Population density
- Road maps
- Natural resource maps

27. Satellite image of Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia

28. The Science of Mapmaking
Surveyors observe, measure, record what they see in a specific area
Remote sensing, gathering geographic data from a distance, includes:
- aerial photography
- satellite imaging

29. The Science of Mapmaking
Best known satellites are Landsat and GOES
Landsat is a series of satellites; can scan entire planet in 16 days
Geostationary Operational Environment Satellite (GOES):
- orbits in sync with Earth’s rotation
- gathers images of atmospheric conditions

30. The Science of Mapmaking
Geographic Information Systems
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a digital geographic database
- Combines and displays information from many sources

31. The Science of Mapmaking
Global Positioning System (GPS)
- Uses series of 24 Navstar satellites to beam information to Earth
- Hand-held GPS receivers on Earth display exact position
- GPS used by explorers, sailors, drivers; also used to track animals

32. Geography and Other Subjects
Science and technology
Geographers observe, hypothesize, and collect data
They also use technological tools such as satellite computers and high tech Cameras
History and Politics
- Geographers use history to help understand how places looked in the past
- Political science focuses on places boundaries are formed and changed
- Natural environment affects political decisions

33. Geography and Other Subjects
Sociology and Anthropology
- Sociology helps geographers understand cultures throughout the world
- Study relationships between a places physical environment and its inhabitants social structure
- Anthropology helps geographers gain insight into different cultures throughout the world

34. Geography and Other Subjects
Economics
- How the location of resources affects the way people transport, and use goods
- Concerned with how and where services are provided
- Geographers are interested in how locations are chosen for farming, mining, manufacturing, and selling