Chapter 1-Understanding Social Studies

Lesson 2-Tools of Geography

What is Geography?

• Geography-is the study of the Earth, it natural features, its

people, and the ways they interact.

• Parts of Geography:

Landforms

Water systems

Climates

Natural resources

Human beings

Places and Experiences:

• Landforms- natural features of the land that make it unique.

Beach

Mountain range

• Climate- general weather pattern of a place over time.

Beach = breezy, sunny, humid

Mountain range = hot, dry

What is Geography?

Places and Experiences:

• Urban- living or working in the city.

• Rural- Living or working in the

country.

• Potential- likely, possible.

What is Geography?

Five Themes of Geography:

• Location describes the position of a place on Earth.

Absolute Location- the physical location of a place.

Pearland, TX 29°33′16″N 95°17′45″W

Relative Location- the location of a place in relationship

to other places or features.

Pearland Jr. High East is located on Old Alvin Rd. next to St.

Helen Catholic Church.

What is Geography?

Five Themes of Geography:

• Place is a geographic location, such as city or a town and its

physical or human characteristics. (natural landmark, buildings,

and roads)

• Regions are areas that share common characteristics (Gulf Coast

Plains- flat land, tall grass, 50” rain per year, hot and humid)

What is Geography?

Five Themes of Geography:

• Movement refers to the study of how and why people,

and things move.

• Human Environment Interaction is how the natural

environment has affected humans and how people

adapt and use their surroundings.

What is Geography?

Using Globes and Maps

•A globe is a round model of

the Earth that shows its

shape, lands, and directions

as they truly relate to one

another.

Using Globes and Maps

The Prime Meridian divides the Earth

into Eastern and Western

Hemispheres.

• Everything east of the Prime Meridian

for 180 degrees is in the Eastern

Hemisphere.

• Everything west of the Prime

Meridian for 180 degrees is in the

Western Hemisphere.

Using Globes and Maps

The Equator divides the Earth into

Northern and Southern

Hemispheres.

• Everything north of the Equator is

in the Northern Hemisphere.

• Everything south of the Equator is

in the Southern Hemisphere.

Using Globes and MapsLatitude:• Lines of latitude are imaginary circles that run east to west around the

globe.

• Known as parallels.

• These parallels divide the globe into units called degrees.

• The Equator circles the middle of the Earth like a belt.

• It is located halfway between the North and South Poles.

• The Equator is 0° latitude.

• The letter N or S that follows the degree symbol tells

you if the location is north or south of the Equator.

• The North Pole is 90°N (north) latitude.

• The South Pole is at 90°S (south) latitude.

Using Globes and Maps

Longitude:• Lines of longitude run from the North Pole to the South

Pole.

• Known as meridians.

• The Prime Meridian is 0° longitude.

• It runs through Greenwich, England.

• It is also called the Meridian of Greenwich.

• The letter E or W that follows the degree symbol tells you

if the location is east or west of the Prime Meridian.

• On the opposite side of the Earth is the 180° meridian,

also known as the International Date Line.

Using Globes and Maps

Using Maps:• Map is a flat drawing of all or part of the Earth’s

surface.

• Cartographers, or mapmakers, use mathematical

formulas to transfer information from the round

globe to a flat map.

• When the Earth’s surface is flattened on a map, big

gaps open up.

• Mapmakers stretch parts of the Earth to show

either the correct shapes of places or their correct

sizes.

Using Globes and Maps

Globes and Maps:

Globes and maps serve

different purposes, and

each has advantages

and

disadvantages.

Using Globes and Maps

Types of Maps:• Physical Map-

shows the physical

features of an area.

Using Globes and Maps

Types of Maps:• Political Map- shows the names

and boundaries of political

entities, along with cities,

counties, etc.

• Entity- something that exists

as its own unit; anything that is

real.

Using Globes and Maps

Types of Maps:

• Thematic Map- shows

specific topic in detail.

Examples include: climate,

vegetation, natural

resources, population

density, historical

expansions.

Using Globes and Maps

Types of Maps:

• Age Distribution- the structure

of a population according to age.

• Growth Rate- speed at which a

population grows.