Physical GeographyPhysical Geography

What is Physical GeographyPhysical Geography?• Examines the relationships among relationships among

patterns & processes patterns & processes within the in the environmentenvironment

• Study of earth’s physical processes:• Geology – rocks and earth formations • Environmental science – human

interaction with the environment• Topography – earth’s features• Cartography – map making

How are Physical Factors spatially defined?

Location: The location of a place or thing on the earth’s surface

Absolute Location: Absolute Location: The exact spot The exact spot of a place on the earth’s surface

-Use Latitude and Longitude to define it

Ex.) Toyko, Japan is at 36° N Latitude and 140° E Longitude

Relative Location: The location of a place in relation to another place or thing

Ex.) Sonic is across the street from Kroger

Globe: Scale model of the earth

Zero Degrees Latitude is the Equator

Numbers get higher the further North or South you move away from the Equator

90 Degree North (North Pole)

90 Degrees South (South Pole)

AKA: AKA: ParallelsParallels

Latitude lines measure North or South of the Equator

KNOW THESE LINES KNOW THESE LINES & their latitude & their latitude

measurements!! measurements!!

EquatorEquator

2 Tropics2 Tropics

2 Circles2 Circles

2 Poles2 Poles

AKA: Meridians

Zero Degrees longitude is the Prime Meridian

180 degrees East or West is the International Date Line

By international agreement - 0 degrees longitude 0 degrees longitude runs through the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England

Numbers get higher the farther you move either East of West

Longitude lines measure East or West of the Prime Meridian

Where lines of latitude & longitude cross they form a pattern known as:

(a global address)

Each degree of the earth is equal to 1/360 of the earth Each degree of the earth is equal to 1/360 of the earth

Each degree is divided into 60 minutes (‘)Each degree is divided into 60 minutes (‘)

Each minute = 60 seconds (“)Each minute = 60 seconds (“)

Hemispheres-Hemispheres-

If you cut the Earth through the Equator, you get two

halves: Northern & Southern Hemisphere

If you cut the Earth through the Prime Meridian, you get

two halves: Western & Eastern Hemisphere

The US is in the Western Hemisphere & the Northern Hemisphere

Basic Geography

0• 0 latitude =

Equator– (Distance from it

has large effect on climate)

• 0 longitude = Prime Meridian– (Distance from it

has no effect on climate)

Rotation-

• The spinning of spinning of the earth on its the earth on its axisaxis

• Takes 24 hours

• Creates night & day

Revolution-• The orbit of the the earth around the sunearth around the sun

• Takes 365 ¼ days

• Creates 4 seasons

Polar Night-• When the polar region is tilted away from the sun –

the polar area receives 24 hours of darkness • When it is pointed toward the sun the area receives

24 hours of daylight

EquinoxEquinox-• Direct rays of the sun

are located on the EQUATOR

• Days & nights are equal in length

• Spring (Vernal) & Fall (Autumnal)

• When it is Spring in the northern hemisphere it is Fall in the southern hemisphere (the opposite is also true)

Solstice-• Direct rays of the sun are

located on the TROPIC TROPIC OF CANCER or OF CANCER or CAPRICORNCAPRICORN

• Days & nights are not equal in length – summer days are longer – winters nights are longer

• Summer & Winter

• When it is Winter in the northern hemisphere it is Summer in the southern hemisphere (the opposite is also true)

Red – LOW LATITUDESLOW LATITUDES

*0 – 23.5*0 – 23.5 N & S N & S

TropicsTropics

Hot & HumidHot & Humid

Green – MID LATITUDESMID LATITUDES

*23.5- 66.5*23.5- 66.5 N & S N & S

Temperate & Mild Temperate & Mild

THE MAJORITY OF MAJORITY OF THE WORLD’S THE WORLD’S PEOPLE LIVEPEOPLE LIVE IN THE TEMPERATE ZONE

Blue – HIGH LATITUDESHIGH LATITUDES

*66.5- 90*66.5- 90 N & S N & S

PolarPolar

Cold & DryCold & Dry