Physical Geography Introduction

Engage Pick a place in the world you have visited. – What did you see in that place? – What was the landscape like? – What was the weather like? – What were the people like? – What was the vegetation or animals like?

What is Geography? Geography is the study of place and space. Study of human activity, the natural environment, and the relationship between the two (human-environment interactions). Geographers look at where things are and why they are there.

Physical v. Cultural Geography Physical GeographyCultural Geography Rocks/MineralsPopulation/Settlements/Urbanization LandformsEconomic and Political Systems Animal and Plant LifeTransportation SoilsHuman Migration Atmosphere/Climate/WeatherSocial Systems EnvironmentRecreation Rivers/Oceans/Other bodies of WaterReligion/Belief System Physical Geography is the study of the Natural Landscape of the Earth Cultural Geography is the study of the Human Landscape of the Earth.

What kinds of tools would geographers use?

Maps and Globes – What’s the difference? Maps – “two dimensional” – usually only show parts of the Earth’s surface. Globes – “three dimensional” representation of the Earth, shows whole surface.

Who makes maps? Cartographers are people who make maps.

What is an Atlas? An ATLAS is a book of maps. You are sitting on one! You have an Atlas under your desk, called the “Goode’s World Atlas”. Your textbook also has an Atlas Section near the front. Get to know them both, we will use them a lot this year!

Parts of A Map Title – explains the subject of the map Compass Rose – shows the “Cardinal Directions”, meaning North, South, East, and West Legend or “Key” - shows and explains the symbols used on the map Scale – shows the true size of the objects shown on the map

Activity: Identify the Map Parts Number your paper #1-#4. Identify and label each part of the map below, using the terms you just learned.

What main types of maps are there? PHYSICAL MAPS POLITICAL MAPS THEMATIC MAPS

Physical Maps Show natural features such as landforms and physical borders; lakes, rivers, mountain ranges, and things that were around before humans Physical Borders – Borders defined by a physical feature Example - Rio Grande River, between USA and Mexico

Activity 2 – Using Physical Maps Use the World Physical Map on p A2-A3 of your textbook to answer these questions on your own paper. Atlas pages 10 and 11 1.What mountain range separates European Russia from Asia? 2.What two mountain ranges run the length of North and South America?

Political Maps Show features on the earth’s surface that humans created. Examples of things on a political map? Political Borders – borders created by governments National and State Borders, City Limits, capitals

Activity 3 – Using Political Maps Use the World Political Map on pages 166, 47, 119 of your Desk Atlas to answer these questions. 1.What are the two countries that lie on the Himalayan border between India and China? Pages What is the name of the largest island in the world? Page 47 3.How many countries share a border with Brazil? Page 119

Activity 3 – Using Political Maps Answers 1.What are the two countries that lie on the Himalayan border between India and China? Pages 166 Nepal and Bhutan 1.What is the name of the largest island in the world? Page 47 Greenland 2.How many countries share a border with Brazil? Page 119 (10) The countries are on the next page

Thematic Maps Thematic maps can be tricky, there are many different kinds. They all do the same thing… they show information Some common thematic maps: Population maps Weather maps Resource maps Topographic maps How data and values are displayed: Choropleths use differences in shading or color to show variables. Cartograms represent map feature surfaces in such a way, as to make them proportional to a given statistical variable.