Basic Geography SkillsBasic Geography Skills

WG SOL 1WG SOL 1

Two types of maps:Two types of maps:

General Purpose: includes political and physical maps

Thematic: A thematic map displays special features such as population, climate, vegetation, precipitation etc.

General Purpose: includes political and physical maps

Thematic: A thematic map displays special features such as population, climate, vegetation, precipitation etc.

Political and Physical Maps

Political and Physical Maps

Political MapsPolitical Maps

Political maps show Political maps show political political borders: borders: continents and continents and countries.countries.

Political maps also Political maps also include include symbols symbols and and labels labels for capitals, for capitals, cities and towns.cities and towns.

Political maps show Political maps show political political borders: borders: continents and continents and countries.countries.

Political maps also Political maps also include include symbols symbols and and labels labels for capitals, for capitals, cities and towns.cities and towns.

Physical MapsPhysical Maps

Physical maps Physical maps represent what a represent what a region region looks like by showing looks like by showing its major its major physical physical features, such as hills features, such as hills and plains. and plains.

Physical maps Physical maps represent what a represent what a region region looks like by showing looks like by showing its major its major physical physical features, such as hills features, such as hills and plains. and plains.

Important Map Terms:Important Map Terms:

Compass Rose: shows map orientation

(north, south, east, and west)Scale: shows what a measurement

on a map is equal to in real lifeLegend: a key

Compass Rose: shows map orientation

(north, south, east, and west)Scale: shows what a measurement

on a map is equal to in real lifeLegend: a key

Location, location location: 2 Types

Location, location location: 2 Types

Absolute location: specific address, latitude or longitude

Relative location: in relation to another place: north/south/right/left etc.

Absolute location: specific address, latitude or longitude

Relative location: in relation to another place: north/south/right/left etc.

Sources of Geographic Information:

Sources of Geographic Information:

GIS-Geographic Information Systems Satelite Images Maps Databases Field work Photographs Globes

GIS-Geographic Information Systems Satelite Images Maps Databases Field work Photographs Globes

Maps show information using:

Maps show information using:

Symbols: = a church Colors: represent changes in

elevation, water is usually blue Lines: usually a river Boundaries: usually a bold line Contours: lines indicate changes

in elevation

Symbols: = a church Colors: represent changes in

elevation, water is usually blue Lines: usually a river Boundaries: usually a bold line Contours: lines indicate changes

in elevation

Mental Maps•Mental Map is a map produced by someone’s mind•Uses: 1. daily activities such as going to school or driving to church 2. Give directions 3. Understand world events•Ways developed and refined: 1. Comparing to a real map 2. Describing the location 3. Describing the relative location

Understanding GlobesUnderstanding Globes

Lines of Latitude – Imaginary horizontal lines around the globe.

*Also called Parallels

Lines of Latitude – Imaginary horizontal lines around the globe.

*Also called Parallels

Lines of Longitude – Imaginary vertical lines

around the globe.*Also called Meridians

Together, these lines form the global grid. Every place on the earth has its own set of coordinates on the global

grid.

OwlTeacher.com

How Latitude and Longitude Form the Global Grid

How Latitude and Longitude Form the Global Grid

OwlTeacher.com

The HemispheresThe Hemispheres

•Which 2 hemisphere’s do we live in?•Which 2 hemisphere’s do we live in?

THE GLOBAL GRIDThe Earth is divided by latitude and longitude lines. There are several important lines to know on the earth's surface:

#1 is the ARCTIC CIRCLE found at 66 ½ o NORTH of the Equator

#2 is the TROPIC OF CANCER found at 23 ½ o NORTH of the Equator

#3 is the EQUATOR which splits the earth into two hemispheres at 0o Latitude

#4 is the TROPIC OF CAPRICORN found 23 ½ o SOUTH of the Equator.

#5 is the ANTARCTIC CIRCLE found at 66 ½ o SOUTH of the Equator 6

#6 is the PRIME MERIDIAN which runs north to south at 0o LONGITUDE

Pencils down.....just listen!

Use the pink map cards....

Pencils down.....just listen!

Use the pink map cards....

East West, North South on the Earth

East West, North South on the Earth

The N tells us we’re north of the Equator. The S tells us we’re south of the Equator.

The E tells us that we’re east of the Prime Meridian. The W tells us that we’re west of the Prime Meridian.

The N tells us we’re north of the Equator. The S tells us we’re south of the Equator.

The E tells us that we’re east of the Prime Meridian. The W tells us that we’re west of the Prime Meridian.

(N, W) (N, E)

(S, W) (S, E)

East West, North South on the Earth

East West, North South on the Earth

That means all points in North America will have a North latitude and a West longitude because it is North of the Equator and West of the Prime Meridian.

That means all points in North America will have a North latitude and a West longitude because it is North of the Equator and West of the Prime Meridian.

(N, W)

Prime Meridian

East West, North South on the Earth

East West, North South on the Earth

What would be the latitude and longitude directions in Australia?

What would be the latitude and longitude directions in Australia?

Prime Meridian ?

If you said South and East , you’re right!

So Where is (0,0)?So Where is (0,0)? The origin point

(0,0) is where the equator intersects the prime meridian.

(0,0) is off the western coast of Africa in the Atlantic Ocean.

The origin point (0,0) is where the equator intersects the prime meridian.

(0,0) is off the western coast of Africa in the Atlantic Ocean.

See If You Can Tell In Which Quarter These Lon/Lats Are

Located

See If You Can Tell In Which Quarter These Lon/Lats Are

Located

1. 41°N, 21°E 2. 37°N, 76°W 3. 72°S, 141°W 4. 7°S, 23°W 5. 15°N, 29°E 6. 34°S, 151°E

1. 41°N, 21°E 2. 37°N, 76°W 3. 72°S, 141°W 4. 7°S, 23°W 5. 15°N, 29°E 6. 34°S, 151°E

A B

C D

Equator Latitude 0o

Latitude 23½o NorthTropic of Cancer

Latitude 23½o SouthTropic of Capricorn

Longitude 30o East

Longitude 60o East

Longitude 30o West

Longitude 60o West

Positioning on the Earth’s Surface

North Pole

South Pole

23½o 23½o

66½o 90o

900

21st June

22nd December

22nd Sept

20th March

30oE60oE90oE90oW30oW60oW

Longitude 90oEastLongitude 90o West

Prime Meridian

0o Longitude

Latitude and Longitude together enable

the fixing of position on the Earth’s surface.

Now you’re ready to find some locations

on a map!

Now you’re ready to find some locations

on a map!

Activity:Activity:

Bingo with Latitude Bingo with Latitude

Honors Assignment:Create a Map

Honors Assignment:Create a Map

You will be using a mental map to create a paper map.

The mental map will be your route to school.

Be sure to include your TODALS! You will also include step by step

written instructions.

You will be using a mental map to create a paper map.

The mental map will be your route to school.

Be sure to include your TODALS! You will also include step by step

written instructions.