1. What can geography teach us about the United States?

2. Objectives Define academic vocabulary.
Identify and label elements of maps and globes.
Explore the difference between relative and absolute locations.
Determine absolute locations using lines of longitude and latitude.
Identify and label physical features on maps.

3. geography globe physical features landforms compass climate
Academic Vocabulary
geography
globe
physical features
landforms
compass
climate

4. Academic Vocabulary
Geography
globe
The study of our physical surroundings and how humans interact with them
A sphere that most accurately models of Earth

5. Academic Vocabulary
Physical features
landform
A part of Earth’s surface that is a landmass or a body of water
A physical feature of Earth’s surface such as a mountain or plain

6. Academic Vocabulary
Compass
Climate
A tool or instrument used for finding directions by first locating north
Aspects of weather – temperature, rainfall, wind etc. – that are measured over time in an area

7. What is geography? Geo – meaning Earth Graph – meaning “describing”
Geography is the study of our physical world and how we interact with it.
Components:
Climate
Hydrology (understanding of water)
Landmasses
Human Interaction
Vegetation (plant life)
Animal Life

8. Globe vs. Map
Globe
Map
The most accurate model used to represent Earth. It is sphere shaped.
A representation of the whole or part of the world, usually on a flat surface.
Cartographer – a person who makes maps

9. Types of Maps Political – shows city, state and country borders
Physical – shows physical features of a place, such as mountains, rivers, and lakes
Historical – shows locations, events, or points of interest for a specific time in history

10. Reading Maps Map Elements: compass rose cardinal points
inter-cardinal points
legend/key
symbols
lines of latitude
lines of longitude
scale

11. Map Elements
Lines of longitude
Lines of latitude
Imaginary lines (Meridians) that run from the North Pole to the South Pole
Imaginary lines (Parallels) that run from west to east

12. Map Elements Compass Rose Legend/Key
A design on a map that shows direction
Legend/Key
A chart on a map that tells what symbols on a map are

13. Map Elements Scale Cardinal Points Represents distance on a map
Four main parts of a compass/compass rose

14. Map Elements Inter-cardinal Points (Intermediate Points) Symbols
Four points located in between the cardinal points
Symbols
Drawings, or pictures, that represent real things on a map

15. Importance of Understanding Maps
Why is it important for you to be able to read a map?
What type of jobs require you to read a map?

16. Location
Where do you sit in this room?

17. Can you draw these items in there exact spot?

18. Can you draw these items in there exact spot?B C D E 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

19. Location
Relative Location
Absolute Location
A location of a place in relation to another place, usually making use of position words
Position words:
south under behind
across east on the side of
beside around middle
down from in front of
Used for miles, distance and direction
A location, or point, expressed by a coordinate system
Longitude Lines (Meridians):
Labeled E or W
0° – Prime Meridian
Latitude Lines (Parallels):
Labeled N or S
0°– Equator
90° S – South Pole
90° N – North Pole
Used for hemispheres, grid systems, and addresses