Chapter 1: Section 2

1
Chapter 1 Section 2

• Understanding the Physical World

2
Lesson Questions

• Why have mapmakers created different projections?
• What are the four major landforms?
• What factors influence climate?

3
Tools of Geographers

• Globes are historically more accurate than maps.
• It represents the true size of oceans and land
  masses.
• However, carrying a globe in your glove
  compartment or in your pocket can become quite
  difficult!
• Since maps are flat that distort the size of
  Earths land masses.

4
Mercator Projection

• The Mercator projection is a cylindrical map
  projection presented by the Flemish geographer
  and cartographer Gerardus Mercator, in 1569.
• Provides easy use for direction.
• Good proportion at equator but not North and
  South.

5
Interrupted Projection

• Shows the correct sizes of landmasses by cutting
  out pieces of the ocean.
• The downside is measuring distances across oceans
  nearly impossible.

6
Peters Projection

• Peters Projection provides correct areas of
  landmasses and oceans. Directions are also
  accurate.
• Downside is that Africa and South America seem
  longer and thinner than they truly are.

7
Robinson Projection

• Shows the correct sizes and shapes of most
  landmasses. It gives fairly accurate view of
  sizes and oceans.
• Its distortion is located more along the edges.

8
Special- Purpose Maps

• Topographic maps show physical features.
• Can sometimes be raised proportional to their
  size.
• Political maps shows borders of countries.
• Vegetative maps can show different shades of
  color depending on foliage.
• Maps and Culture
• Some maps show ethnocentrism. That is they focus
  on their country as the center of the world or
  make it appear bigger.

9
Major Landforms

• Mountains high steep rugged land masses
• Elevation height above sea level
• Himalayas are the highest peaks in the world.
• Hills less steep than mountains.
• Plains large areas of gently rolling land.
• Coastal plains are located along the oceans are
  good for ports.
• Plateaus areas of high flat land.

10
Climate Zones

• Climate average weather of an area over a
  period of 20-30 years.
• Directly affected by location near equator and
  elevation.