1. The Basics of Geography
Back to Basics
The Basics of Geography

2. What does that mean? Continent – large landmass bigger than an island.
Country - A region, territory, or large tract of land distinguishable by features of topography, biology, or culture
State - one of the constituent units of a nation having a federal government
Province - an administrative district or division of a country

3. What is Geography Geography – (words were derived from the Greek)
Geo – the earth
Graphy- description of the earth
Geography is the study of the earth in all of its variety
There are many different types of geography
Physical (we study this in class)
Cultural
Political
Just to name a few

4. What is Geography

5. Why Study Geography Geography is necessary in our everyday lives.
Every time we walk outside, we are entering into a part of geography
Getting around the school you use geography
You wouldn’t be able to go on vacation without geography

6. Tell me ways that you use geography in you everyday life.
What Do You Think
Tell me ways that you use geography in you everyday life.

7. The Continents There are 7 continents on the Earth’s surface
The order in terms of size are
Asia
Africa
North America
Each continent contains countries. For example Asia the continent has China as a country.
North America the continent has the United States as a country

8. 7 Continents Europe and Asia are sometimes referred to as this?
A: Eurasia
Millions of years ago the continents were all connected and called this? ________________________
A: Pangea

9. Tell Me What You Think
Which is the country, and which is the continent?
Paraguay and South America
Asia and Russia
Egypt and Africa
Europe and Greenland
England and Europe

10. Globes A round scale model of the earth
The most accurate way to depict the earth
They accurately represent distance and direction (ratio)
Discovered by the Greeks

11. Maps Flat drawing of all or part of the earth’s surface.
This is the name of a person who makes maps?
A: Cartographer
Maps are good because you can show small areas in great details
There are many types of maps

12. Types of Maps Physical Maps Political Maps Special Purpose Maps
Interrupted
Robinson
Mercator
Great Circle
Relief

13. Types of Maps
Physical & Political Maps are known as __________________ purpose maps.
A: General
Physical Maps:
____________ shows how flat or rugged the land is.
A: Relief
____________ the height above sea-level. (colorful)
A: Elevation
____________ also show elevation, however they use lines to display them. (________ lines)
A: Contour

14. Political Maps Generally very bright and colorful
Show political boundaries, countries, roads etc.

15. Special Purpose Maps Maps that talk specifically about one thing.
Special purpose maps can be physical and political
Examples: Rainfall, population, climate zones, roads etc.

16. Interrupted Resembles a peeled, flattened orange.
Represents continent land area close to true form.
Good for comparing land area among continents.

17. Robinson Maps Minor distortions
Land on the Western and Eastern sides of the map appear much as it does on a globe
Largest distortions occur in North and South Poles

18. Mercator Maps Shows true direction and land shapes accurately
Size and distance are distorted
Areas that are far from the equator are largely distorted usually appearing larger.

19. Types of Maps Small Scale Maps – Shows very little detail.
Large Scale Maps - Show a small area with a lot of detail.

20. Large Scale Map

21. Small Scale Map

22. Large Scale & Small Scale Maps

23. Parts of a Map There are five parts of a map Title Legend or Key
Compass Rose
Scale
Latitude & Longitude

24. Title & Key (Legend) Map title tells you what the map is about
Example: the Population Distribution of Mexico
Key or Legend
Tells you what each symbol on a map
means

25. Compass Rose
Compass Rose – tells you what direction the map is referring to
North does not always have to be toward the top of a page

26. Cardinal Directions – four main directions, they include
North
South
East
West

27. Direction
Intermediate Directions – Directions between the cardinal directions, they include
Northeast
Southeast
Northwest
Southwest

28. Scale
Scale – gives the comparison of real distance to the distance on a map.
Can be shown by ratio
Miles
kilometers

29. Distance Distance on a map is measured by a scale Ratios
Kilometers/miles
Distance makes the actual distance of an area easy to find.

30. Hemispheres
When you look at the earth, you will find that it is broken into 4 sections.
These four sections are known as _______________.
A: Hemispheres
The four hemispheres are
Northern
Southern
Eastern
Western

31. Latitude & Longitude
Latitude & Longitude - helps you find an exact location on a map
The lines of latitude and longitude form a grid system
Grid systems use letters and numbers and do not give an exact location

32. Latitude & Longitude
Latitude & Longitude are the lines on a map or globe that allows you to find an exact point (location)
Lines of Latitude & Longitude criss-cross each other forming a grid.

33. Latitude Also called parallels Are measured from the equator
Equator is 0 degrees latitude
North Pole – highest point of latitude is 90 degrees N latitude.
South Pole – lowest point of latitude is 90 degrees S latitude.
The highest degree of latitude is 90 degrees.
Latitude lines measure north or south of the equator

34. Latitude
Tropic of Cancer – 23 ½ degrees North Latitude – This line distinguishes the end of the tropics in the Northern Hemisphere.
Tropic of Capricorn – 23 ½ degrees South Latitude – This line distinguishes the end of the tropics in the Southern Hemisphere.
Arctic Circle – 66 degrees North latitude
Antarctic Circle – 66 degrees South latitude

35. Longitude Also called meridians Are measured from the Prime Meridian
Prime Meridian is 0 degrees Longitude
International Dateline is 180 degrees Longitude (time zones)
Longitude lines measure left or right of the prime meridian
The highest degree of longitude is 180 degrees.

36. (use pages RA2 & RA3 in textbook)
Latitude & Longitude
Always say latitude first
45 N, 70 W
Now lets practice
(use pages RA2 & RA3 in textbook)
23 N, 45 E 66 S, 100 W
Oman Antarctic Circle

37. Hemispheres
The four hemispheres are divided by the major lines of Latitude and Longitude.
Equator – divides the earth into the ________ & ____________ hemispheres.
A: Northern & Southern
Prime Meridian – divides the earth into the ___________ & _____________ hemispheres.
A: Eastern & Western

38. Hemispheres Northern Hemisphere – above the equator
Southern Hemisphere – below the equator
Eastern Hemisphere – Right of the Prime Meridian
Western Hemisphere – Left of the Prime Meridian

39. Time Zones ______________________ starting point for all time zone
A: Greenwich Mean Time
Ending point for the time zones is ____________________
A: International Dateline
Each time zone is 15 Degrees apart on the earth’s surface. ( 0-14, 15-29, etc)
Going east of GMT, time gets an hour later for each time zone.
Going West of GMT, time get an hour earlier for each time zone

40. Time Zones The re are 4 time zones in the continental United States.
Eastern
Central
Mountain
Pacific
Alaska & Hawaii are not included in these time zones, they have their own time zones.

41. Graphs
Bar Graphs
Line Graphs
Circle Graphs/Pie Charts
Pictograph