1. Chapter 1
History Alive

2. 1.1 Introduction
geography – the study of our physical surroundings and how humans interact with them
Geo = Earth
globe – a sphere (ball) that shows a map of the Earth’s features
latitude – how far a place is from the equator, measured in degrees with the help of parallels of latitude
longitude – how far a place is from the prime meridian, measured in degrees with the help of meridians of longitude
geographic terms – words that name different landforms and bodies of water (bay, sea, peninsula, island, etc.)
physical features – named, important parts of the Earth’s surface (Rocky Mountains, Mississippi River, Great Plains, etc.)

3. 1.2 Understanding the Globe
PRIME MERIDIAN
EQUATOR

4. 1.2 Understanding the Globe
North Pole = most northern point
South Pole = most southern point
compass – an instrument (tool) for
finding directions and has a needle
that points North
compass rose – a symbol on a map that shows the cardinal points and sometimes intermediate points
cardinal points (N,E,S,W)
intermediate points (NE,SE,SW,NW)

5. 1.2 Understanding the Globe
The Equator divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern hemispheres
The Prime Meridian divides the Earth into the Western and Eastern hemispheres
More than 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered by water
Oceans are the largest bodies of water on Earth
The 4 oceans from largest to smallest are:
Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Artic Ocean
Continents are large masses of land surrounded by water
The 7 continents from largest to smallest are:
Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia

6. 1.2 Understanding the Globe

7. 1.3 Understanding Latitude & Longitude
Distances between latitude and longitudinal lines are measured in degrees
Parallels of Latitude - lines that circle Earth from West to East
Equator = 0˚ latitude
North Pole = 90˚N latitude
South Pole = 90˚S latitude

8. 1.3 Understanding Latitude & Longitude
Meridians of Longitude – lines that circle Earth from North to South
Prime Meridian
= 0˚ longitude
International Date Line
= 180˚ longitude

9. 1.3 Understanding Latitude & Longitude
You can locate any point on Earth by using parallels of latitude and meridians of longitude
First name the point’s latitude, then name the point’s longitude (la comes before lo in the dictionary)
30˚N, 90˚W =
15˚S, 30˚E =
60˚N, 45˚E =
25˚S, 140˚E =
45˚N, 155˚W =
North America
Name that
Point!
Africa
Europe
Australia
Pacific Ocean

10. 1.4 Using Geographic Terms for Water & Landforms
Geographic terms help us describe different landforms and bodies of water
landforms – masses of land, such as continents, islands, and peninsulas
sea = small body of salt water
gulf = part of an ocean or sea cuts into land
bay = similar, but smaller than a gulf and has a wide opening to the sea
lake = body of fresh water surrounded by land
river = has a source, where the river originates, and a mouth, where the river empties into an ocean or lake
tributary = a smaller stream that feeds into a river
mountains = steep sides and rise at least 2,000 feet above sea level
mountain range = row of connected mountains
plains = land that is mostly flat with few trees
peninsula = land that is surrounded by water on three sides
cape = extension of land jutting out into the water (smaller than a peninsula)
island = land that is completely surrounded by water
valley = the low area between mountains ranges or hills
delta = new land formed at the mouth of a river from the deposit of soil, shaped like a triangle

11. 1.4 Using Geographic Terms for Water & Landforms

12. 1.5 Physical Features of the US
St. Lawrence R.
Great Plains
Gulf Coastal Plain

13. 1.6 Chapter Summary Study vocabulary (matching)
Be able to name specific points and symbols on a world map
Be able to identify the physical features on a US map
Be able to label geographic terms on an illustration
Total of 24 questions: matching, fill in the blank, label