1. Thinking Like a Geographer & Geography Skills Handbook

2. BASIC GEOGRAPHY Geography is the study of the relationship between people and their physical environment The name geography comes from GEO meaning earth and GRAPHICA meaning description.

3. Why is this Important? Geography skills provide the tools and methods for us to understand the relationships between people, places, and environments. We use geographic skills when we make daily personal decisions -where to buy a home; where to get a job; how to get to the shopping mall; where to go on vacation.

4. Why is this Important? Community decisions, such as where to locate a new school or how to solve problems of air and water pollution, also require the skillful use of geographic information.

5. Why is this Important? This Geography Skills Handbook introduces you to the basic geographic tools-globes, maps, graphs-and explains how to use them. These resources will help you get the most out of your geography course-and provide you with skills you will use for the rest of your life.

6. 2 Branches of Geography Physical Geography –Study of earth’s physical processes Geology – rocks and earth formations Environmental science – human interaction with the environment Topography – earth’s features Cartography – map making. Human (Cultural) Geography –Characteristics of human activities Politics – governments History – significant events Economics – how use resources Sociology – human societies Urban – cities Demographics – human population statistics

7. Thinking Like a Geographer

8. SKILLEXAMPLESTOOLS & TECHNIQUE Asking Geographic Questions Posing Questions about surroundings Ask questions about roads and traffic Determine factors to build new sports facility Maps Globes Internet Remote sensing News media Acquiring Geographic Information Helps answer Geographic questions Compare aerial photos taken over time Design survey to determine who might use a particular facility Field observation Interviews GPS Reference works Satellite Imagery Historical records Organizing Geographic Information Analyze and Interpret information collected Compile a map that shows the spread of a housing development over time Summarize information obtained from interviews Field maps Databases Statistical tables Graphs Diagrams summaries Analyzing Geographic Information Involves looking for patterns, relationships, and connections Draw conclusions about effects of road construction on traffic patterns Compare information from different maps that show available land and zoning districts. Maps Charts Graphs GIS Spreadsheets Answering Geographic Questions Applying Information to real-life situations and problem-solving Present report that conveys the result of the case study Suggest locations for a new facility based on geographic and data gathered Sketch maps Reports Research papers Oral or multimedia presentations

9. Geographic Information Cartographers (person who makes a map) today use many sources of data collected for their maps. GIS (Geographic Information Systems) is the most accurate to date: GIS is using computers to plot points and use different sources such as satellites, maps, pictures (images)-to create an electronic layer. Each layer is given a code number which allows geographers to change and create maps easier on a computer. Air Photography and Satellite Images can help gather information to then be placed on maps. Cartographers can interpret what they see and plot it on a map. GPS (Global Positioning Systems) use satellites around the world to plot the exact point of location from an electronic receiver. Examples: Garmin-Tom-Tom

10. Hemispheres If you cut the Earth through the Equator you would get two halves, the Northern and Southern Hemisphere If you cut the Earth through the Prime Meridian you would get two halves, the Western and Eastern Hemisphere The US is in the Western Hemisphere and the Northern Hemisphere Each degree of the earth is equal to 1/360 of the earth. Each degree is divided into 60 minutes (‘). Each minute = 60 seconds (“)

11. MEMORIZE THESE LINES!! KNOW: Equator, 2 Tropics, 2 Circles, 2 Poles and their latitudes!!!!

12. Latitude, Longitude, and Location Geography is often said to begin with the question: Where? Although this question can be answered in many ways the basic tool for finding the answer is location. Lines on globes and maps provide information that can help you locate places. These lines cross one another, forming a pattern called a grid system. This system helps you find exact places on the Earth’s surface.

13. Grid System

14. Latitude: Parallels: Parallel to the Equator, measure the distance north and south of the Equator in degrees. Equator measured at 0° latitude, the poles are 90 ° N and 90° S. North latitude: Parallels north of the Equator South latitude: Parallels south of the Equator

15. Longitude: Meridians: Circle the Earth from Pole to Pole. Run east and west of the Prime Meridian. Prime Meridian: Line of longitude that runs through the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England. East longitude: Places east of the PM West longitude: Places west of the PM

16. The Global Grid Absolute location: A global address where latitude and longitude lines cross exactly at that place. –Example: Tokyo, Japan is located at 36°N latitude and 140°E longitude. Minutes: Give a more precise reading; each degree of latitude and longitude is subdivided into 60 units.

17. So How Do I Read a Global Grid? Just like a graph in math class. Why is this grid no good?

18. From Globes to Maps A globe is a scale model of the earth. Because the earth is round, a globe presents the most accurate depiction of geographic information such as area, distance, and direction. However, globes show little close- up detail. A printed map is a symbolic representation of all or part of the planet on a flat piece of paper. Unlike globes, maps can show small areas in great detail. Another advantage of printed maps is that they can be folded, stored, and easily carried from place to place.

19. Globes to Maps How do you make a sphere flat? Cartographer- Mapmakers Three basic categories are; Planar, Cylindrical, Conic (Go-cartographer) Goode’s Interrupted Equal- Area Projection Map All maps have distortion because you are trying to take a 3-D sphere and make it into a flat map. Distance, direction, shape, and size of land masses can be distorted.

20. From 3-D to 2-D Cartographers: Mapmakers Issues: When the curves of the globe become straight lines on a map, distortion of size, shape, distance, or area occurs.

21. Common Map Projections The curved surface of the earth cannot be shown accurately on a flat map. Every map projection stretches or breaks the curved surface of the planet in some way as it is flattened. Distance, direction, shape, or area may be distorted. Cartographers have developed many map projections, each with some advantages and some degree of inaccuracy. Four of the most popular map projections, named for the cartographers who developed them, are shown below.

22. How Map Projections Work  Map Projections: Purpose of the map dictates which style is used. Planar Cylindrical Conic

24. Planar Projection (Azimuthal) Pro’s- 1) Accurate at center 2) Every line is a line of true direction and represent the shortest distance Con’s- 1) Distorts shape at the edges

25. Pro’s- 1) Accurate near the equator 2) Shows direction and true shape Con’s- 1) Distorted near poles Cylindrical

26. Pro’s- 1) Limited east-west areas not too far from the Equator 2) Indicates distances and directions fairly accurately Con’s- 1) Distorts toward poles 2) Only shows one hemisphere at a time Conic

27. Common Map Projections Winkle-Tripel Projection- good balance of size and shape of land areas. The poles have little distortion. National Geographic Society adopted this map type as the standard in 1998. Computer generated Robinson Projection- Little distortion, most distortion appear at poles. More oval than Winkle-Tripel. Computer generated.

28. Goode’s Interrupted Equal-Area Projection- True size and shape of land, but distances are distorted Mercator Projection- Accurate at equator, but distorts size and distance as you move away from equator. Accurately shows true direction, good for sea travel and navigation.

29. Great Circle Routes Shortest distance between two points on a map! Maps distort distance, for example it may look shorter to travel between two areas on a map than it really is.

30. Reading A Map In addition to scale and the lines of latitude and longitude, maps feature other important tools to help you interpret the information they contain. Learning to use these map tools will help you read the symbolic language of maps.

31. DOGTAILS-Parts of the Map D – Date created (bottom right corner) O – Orientation (compass rose – n,s,e,w) G – Grid is the pattern on the map to make a location easier to find (latitude & longitude usually). T – Title (top center of map ) A – Author (who made it – bottom right corner) I - Index of all the places on the map L – Legend (key) explains symbols, shapes, numbers, abbreviations used on the map S – Scale (how big is the map compared to real life) S- Source DOTAL - Must be on every map !!!

32. Orientation-Compass Rose A marker to indicate direction Cardinal Directions: –N, S, E, W Intermediate Directions: –NE, NW, SE, SW

33. Title - Gives information about what the map is representing.

34. Legend (key) - is a table that lists and explains the symbols that are used on the map.

35. Legend/Key Every map has different symbols, to assure that the symbols used are clear every map contains a key; a list that explains what the symbols stand for.

36. Scale - the relationship between the distances of the earth’s surface, and the distances shown on the map itself. Most commonly use unit for scale: 1cm=100km

37. Capitals National capitals are often represented by a star with in a circle.

38. Cities Represented by dots. Relative sizes of cities can be used by using dots of different size.

39. Absolute and Relative Location As you learned before, a place’s absolute location is found at the precise point where one line of latitude crosses a line of longitude. Another way that people indicate location is by relative location. You may be told, for example, to look for a street that is “two blocks north: of another street. Relative location is the location of one place in relation to another place.

41. Absolute and Relative Location To find relative location, find a reference point— a location you already know—on a map. Then look in the appropriate direction for the new location. For example, locate Houston (your reference point) on this map. The relative location of Dallas can be described as northwest of Houston and Galveston can be described as southeast of Houston.

43. Types of Maps Maps are prepared for many uses. The use for which a map is intended determines the kinds of information it contains. Learning to recognize a map’s purpose will help you make the best use of its content.

44. Reading a Map see Pg 8-9 Physical Maps- Show topography (shape) of earths physical features Political Maps- Show boundaries between countries. Also may show cities, capitals, roads, railroads. Think man made! Emphasize a single idea or a particular kind of information Show a wide variety of information Economic Activity Map- Shows the distribution of land use and natural resources.

45. Physical Map Shows location and the topography, or shape, or the earth’s physical features. Physical maps use colors or patterns to indicate relief—the difference in elevation, or height, of landforms. These physical features often help to explain the historical development of a country.

47. Political Map Shows the boundaries between countries. Smaller internal division, such as states or countries, may also be indicated by different symbols. Political maps often show human-made features such as capitals, cities, roads, highways, and railroads.

49. Political Map

50. Special Purpose Maps Maps that emphasize a single idea or a particular kind of information about an area are called special-purpose maps. There are many kinds of special-purpose maps, each designed to serve a different need: relief maps, climate maps, population density maps, vegetation maps, elevation profiles, economic activity maps, and cartograms.

51. Map Scale Small Scale Maps- Show large area with little detail Large Scale Maps- Show small area with a lot of detail

52. Small-Scale Maps A small-scale map can show a large area but little detail. Note that the scale bar for this map indicates that about ½ an inch is equal to 200 miles and about 300 kilometers.

53. Small Scale Map

54. Large-Scale Maps A large-scale map can show a small area on the earth’s surface with a great amount of detail. Note that map measurements correspond to much smaller distances than on a small-scale map.

55. Large Scale Map

58. Population Cartogram http://www-personal.umich.edu/~mejn/cartograms/ World Population Cartogram

59. Energy Consumption

60. People living with HIV/AIDS

61. Total Spending on Healthcare

62. World Vegetation Map

64. http://www.cybergeography.org/atlas/war_driving_losangeles_large.png People are searching for active 802.11b nodes by so called 'war driving' – i.e. driving around sniffing for unsecured wireless networks.war driving War Driving in L.A.

65. How to check validity of A Map Finding and comparing Primary source material to the Map is the next best thing to personally witnessing an event described in real time, then you can assess the accuracy of the data.

66. Graphs, Charts, and Diagrams In addition to globes and maps, geographers use other visual representations to display and interpret dat. Graphs, charts, and diagrams provide valuable information in forms that are well organized and easy to read.

67. Graphs A graph is a visual representation of information. There are many kinds of graphs, each suitable for certain purposes. Most graphs show two sets of data, one displayed along the vertical axis and the other displayed along the horizontal axis. Labels on these axes identify the data being displayed.

68. Line Graph Shows change in two variables or changing sets of circumstances over periods of time. To analyze data on a line graph, study the changes and trends as shown by the line.

69. Bar Graph Shows comparisons. To analyze a bar graph, note the differences in quantities.

70. Circle Graph Also called a pie chart, shows the relationship of parts to a whole. Percentages are indicated by relative size and sometimes by color. To analyze a circle graph, study the relationships of areas to one another and to the whole.

71. Charts and Tables Data are arranged in columns and rows in a chart or table. Charts and tables display facts in an organized manner and make comparisons easy. To find key information in a chart or table look for the intersections of columns and rows.

73. Diagrams A diagram is a drawing that shows what something is or how something is done. Many diagrams feature several drawings or sections that show the steps in a process.

75. Map Bias / Point of View Not everyone sees the world in the same way. Map Bias / Point of View Not everyone sees the world in the same way.

76. As well as distortion, there is also Point of View…. for many years, the US was the main publisher of maps. It was not unusual to find maps (especially in textbooks) with the US in the middle. This American view is not seen as much today.

77. What if you lived in Australia?

79. Movement

80. Places and Regions Place- a particular space with physical and human meaning. Region- areas united by specific factors Formal (uniform)- common characteristic such as a product Ex.- The Cornbelt Functional- is an urban central point (core) and surrounding area (periphery) that are connected to it. Ex- New Caney is in Houston’s functional region Perceptual (Vernacular)- is defined by popular feelings and images Ex.- “Heartland”