1. World Geography The Basics

2. What is Geography? A science that deals with the description, distribution, and interaction of the diverse physical, biological, and cultural features of the earth's surface

3. The Seven Continents North America South America Europe Asia Africa Australia Antarctica

4. Dividing the Earth Hemispheres: –Northern Hemisphere North of the Equator –Southern Hemisphere South of the Equator –Western Hemisphere West of the Prime Meridian –Eastern Hemisphere East of the Prime Meridian

5. Dividing the Earth The Key Dividing Lines –Equator and Meridian Line divide the world into its Hemispheres –The equator divides the world into two equal parts horizontally –The meridian line divides the world into two equal parts vertically The origin of the meridian line is Greenwich, England

6. Using Atlas’ & Reading Basic Maps What is an atlas? –a collection of maps often including illustrations, informative tables, or textual matter of all the countries in the world

7. Using Atlas’ & Reading Basic Maps Legend: –Usually found at the bottom of a map –Uses symbols to express things such as population of a city, borders, lines of transportation, elevation, etc. Scale: –Expresses the actual distance in relation to the real world

8. Using Atlas’ & Reading Basic Maps How do I find it? –The Index: Lists cities and countries found in the atlas Provides: –page numbers in the atlas where you will find a map of that specific place –which quadrant it can be found in on the map –its points of longitude and latitude

9. Using Atlas’ & Reading Basic Maps How do I find it? –Longitude and Latitude: Vertical and horizontal lines that indicate points on the earth’s surface

10. Using Atlas’ & Reading Basic Maps How do I find it? –Quadrants: indicated with letters and numbers in the margins of a map helps you locate places based on instructions from the index Helpful Hint: Think of the game Battleship