TOOLS OF GEOGRAPHY

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TOOLS OFGEOGRAPHY
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TOOLS TO USE

• Maps- two-dimensional graphic representations of
  selected parts of the earths surface
• Globes- a three-dimensional representation of the
  earth

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Advantages

• Maps are portable and easy to use
• Globes show the earth as it sits in space

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MAPS

• Eratosthenes was first to calculate circumference
  of earth (only off about 15 degrees) in about 255
  BC
• Oldest known map is Babylonian clay tablet
  created about 2500 years ago

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FINDING LOCATION

• GPS-provides absolute location
• Theodolite-type of surveying equipment used to
  measure angles and distances
• Magnetic Compass-used to accurately determine
  direction
• Landsat-series of satellites geographers use to
  provide geographical information
• GIS-stores info about the world in a digital
  database

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Satellites

• Best known satellites to map earth are Landsat
  and GOES (Geostationary Operational Environment
  Satellite)

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READING MAPS

• Title- explains the subject and what information
  the map conveys
• Compass Rose- shows North, South, East and West
• Labels- explains features

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READING MAPS

• Legend or Key- lists and explains symbols or
  colors
• Lines of Latitude- lines that measure distance
  North and South
• Meridians of Longitude- lines that measure
  distance East and West

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MAP READING

• Scale- shows the ratio between a unit of length
  on a map and a unit of distance on the earth
• Symbols- represents items on the map
• Colors- represents a variety of information on a
  map

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TYPES OF MAPS

• Physical Map- shows landforms and bodies of water
• Political Map- shows features created by humans
• Flow-line Maps- illustrate movement of people,
  goods, idea, etc.

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TYPES OF MAPS

• General Reference Map- a representation of
  natural man-made features on the earth
• Thematic maps- maps that focus on specific types
  of information (climate, vegetation, etc)
• Qualitative maps- use colors, symbols, dots
  lines to show a pattern
• Cartograms- shows info based on data other than
  land area

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MAP PROJECTIONS

• A map projection is a way of drawing the earths
  surface that reduces distortion caused by
  presenting a round earth on flat paper
• Distance, shape, direction or area may be
  distorted by a projection

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PROJECTIONS

• Planar Projections- a projection on a flat
  surface, called azimuthal projections it
  distorts size and shape
• Conical Projections- these show shape fairly
  accurately, but will distort landmass at the edges

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PROJECTIONS

• Cylindrical Projections- shows the entire earth
  on one map
• Mercator- shapes are distorted at the poles and
  compressed near the equator
• Homolosine- oceans are separated has accurate
  shapes but distorted distances
• Robinson- shows entire earth with nearly true
  sizes shapes the landforms near the poles are
  flat