1. GEOGRAPHY From the Greek words Geo (γη) or Gaea (γαια), both meaning Earth, and graphein (γραφειν) meaning to describe or to write or to map. Geography is the science that studies the Earth, its features, inhabitants and phenomena that occur on the Earth´s surface. The most important tool: the map Other tools: graphs, statistics, GIS (Geographic Information System)

2. PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY Climatology – Climate Geomorphology - Relief Biogeography – Study of living beings and its distribution Hydrology – Water

3. HUMAN GEOGRAPHY Demography - Population Rural – Rural settlements and their activities Urban – Study of the cities Economy – Study of the economic activities Geopolitics – State organization Cultural – Study of cultural areas

4. MAPS A map is a scale down plan of all or part of the Earth´s surface. Maps are a drawing of a place seen from above. Maps are simplified and drawn at a reduced scale. Maps are useful because they show where places are and what they are like.

5. SCALE A scale shows the relationship between a distance on a map and its corresponding distance on the ground. Scales can be numeric (1:50.000) or graphic. If the scale is 1:50.000, how many km does one cm on the map represent in real life?

6. TYPES OF MAPS Topographic maps: they offer information about relief, population, communication links, water networks, toponomy, etc. These maps allow us to calculate the distance between two given geographical points (scale) and to interpret landforms (contour lines).

7. Thematic maps: provide information about a particular aspect related to the natural or human environment. These may be of several types: choropleth maps, isopleth maps and dot maps. Choropleth maps – they use different colours or shading to show variations between places. Examples include population density, level of development and rainfall. Data should be divided into 4, 5 or 6 groups Shading should be in just one or two colours Areas with the highest values should be darkest and those with the lowest should be lightest

8. Isopleth (isolines) maps – The lines in these maps join places with the same value. Contour-lines on a map are an example of isopleths (they join places of equal height). Isobars: join places with equal pressure. Isotherms: join places with equal temperature. This kind of mapping is a good method to use if there is data available for a large number of points. The data is plotted on a map as numbered points, and isopleths are drawn to join up those of equal value.

9. Dot maps – they are used to show distribution or the way in which something is spread over an area. In geography they are most often used to show population distribution (for example one dot represents 100000 people).

10. GRAPHS Graphs represent one or several sets of values. The most commonly used are: Line graphs – they show information as a series of points that are joined up to form a line. They show changes and trends over a period of time and can help forecast future changes. Draw a frame. Label each axis and add an appropriate scale. Plot a series of clear dots or crosses at the points where the values meet. Join up the dots or crosses with a smooth line.

11. Bar graphs – They present information in the form of a bar or column. The bars can be drawn either horizontally or vertically. Each bar shows the number or value of something. Bar graphs are used to compare different things or quantities. Check the size of the values. Note the largest and smallest. Draw a frame with two axes. Label each axis. Decide on an appropriate scale for each axis. Draw bars of equal width.

12. PLEASE DO THESE ACTIVITIES 1) Find a map of Spain in your atlas or textbook and answer the questions below: Which scale is used? What is the real distance in km between two points that are 10 cm apart on the map? 2) You are given three maps of Spain with the following scales: Map 1 Scale 1:50.000 Map 2 Scale 1:250.000 Map 3 Scale 1:5.000.000 Which map would be the most appropriate to hang up in your classroom? Which would you take with you on an outing? Write with each scale how many km are they in reality (50.000cm, 250.000cm, 5.000.000cm).