Places Regions and People

6th Grade UBD - Unit 1 - Places Regions and People

Preview

Types of Maps- There are many types of maps, and they

all convey different kinds of information about places.

Maps are used to organize and convey information in a

quick and readily available way.

Defining Regions- Geographers group sets of places into

regions based on shared geographic characteristics. By

grouping sets of places with shared characteristics

together, geographers can identify and understand patterns

and easily compare different locations.

Reach Into Your Background

Imagine that you and your

family are driving across the

country. The car you are driving

is older and has trouble

climbing mountain roads, so

your parents want to avoid

driving through mountainous

areas as much as possible.

How would you know which

routes to take?  (5 minutes)

Partner Activity

Work with a neighbor and compare your answer with theirs. What things are the same and what things are different? (3 minutes)

Key Ideas- Types of Maps

Maps are among geographers’ most important tools.

Geographers use maps to answer questions, solve

problems, and make comparisons, because maps

provide details about a place quickly and easily

through visual representations.

The three main types of maps are physical maps,

political maps, and thematic (or special purpose)

maps. Almost all maps include some type of legend,

or key, that explains what the various symbols, colors,

and lines on a map mean.

Mapping Our World

Maps are designed to highlight

information about specific

locations.

A map is a diagram that visually

represents a place on Earth.

There are many different kinds

of maps, and they are all used

to show different kinds of

information.

Mapping Our World

Cartographers are

the people who make

maps.

Cartographers use

different colors to

visually represent the

physical features that

are being mapped.

Key Term

Cartographe

r- A person

who makes

maps.

Take A MapReading Handout- Take A Map

Physical Map

A physical map shows the

physical features of an

area.

It also provides readers

with information about the

topography, or the height,

depth, and shape, of these

features. 

Physical maps identify

mountains, deserts, bodies

of water, and

other landforms.

Physical Map

Because color can be used

differently in various maps, it

is always important to look at

the map key to make sure

you understand the

information you are reading.

The map key is a box or list

found in the corner or on the

side of a map. It explains the

map symbols.

Key Term

Physical

Map- A type

of map that

shows

landforms and

bodies of

water found in

the area -

shows the

earth's natural

features.

Political Maps

Political maps are another

common type of map. 

Political maps identify political

boundaries between places.

A political boundary is the

dividing line that separates

neighboring areas controlled

by different governments or

groups.

Political Maps

Political boundaries

sometimes correspond to

natural geographic

boundaries like

mountains or rivers.

Most often, though,

political boundaries are

imaginary lines decided

by those who hold

political power.

Political Maps

Without political maps,

you might not know

where most of the

dividing lines fall

between cities, states,

or even different

countries.

Knowing where political

borders are is very

important.

Political Maps

Political borders also determine

who controls the natural

resources of an area, such as oil

deposits and waterways.

Throughout history, people

have argued over political

borders.

Territorial disputes often arise

when borders have never been

spelled out clearly.

Key Term

Political

Map- A map

that shows all

the

boundaries of

nations and

other political

units.

Thematic Maps

Thematic maps show

information related to a

certain theme or subject.

Such maps are very useful

because they can provide

details about a place quickly

and easily through visual

representations rather than

words. 

Thematic Maps

The information

presented on thematic

maps can relate to

either physical

geography—the

physical features of

Earth—or human

geography—the ways

that people interact

with the environment.

Thematic Maps 

Thematic maps show information about a specific

theme or subject. They are also sometimes called

special-purpose maps.

Climate maps, vegetation maps, and population

density maps are examples of thematic maps.

Thematic maps can be used to help draw

conclusions about a particular place, or to compare

different locations with one another.

Key Term

Thematic

Map- Show

information

related to a

certain theme

or subject.

Classroom Activity- Reading MapsClassroom Activity- Reading Maps

Key Ideas- Defining Regions

Dividing the world into regions helps geographers

organize information and identify patterns.

Physical regions are defined by physical

geography characteristics like landforms and

bodies of water.

Cultural regions are defined by human

characteristics like religion, language, political

borders, and economic industries.

There are many different ways to divide the world

and smaller areas into regions.

Defining Regions

A region is a group of

nearby places that all

share certain

characteristics.

These shared

characteristics could be

physical geography

features such as similar

climate, vegetation, or

landforms.

Defining Regions

A region can also be

defined by human

and cultural

features, such as

major industries,

ethnic populations,

languages spoken,

or religions

practiced.

Physical Regions

Physical regions are defined by

having similar landforms or other

physical characteristics.

For instance, there are

mountainous regions, costal

regions, and river valley regions.

There are regions that share a

cold, icy climate, and others that

are united by a hot, dry climate.

Cultural Regions

Cultural regions are defined by

human characteristics rather

than physical characteristics.

National borders and other

political divisions, economic

trends or industrial activities,

languages spoken, types of

religion, and ethnic heritage

are all examples of  cultural

regions.

RegionsVideo- Regions

Independent Activity

What has been the

“muddiest” point so

far in this lesson? That

is, what topic remains

the least clear to you?

(4 minutes)

Partner Activity

Work with a neighbor and compare your muddiest point with theirs. Compare what things are the same and what things are different? (3 minutes)