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Basics of Geography
Maps & Regions
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Geographic Information System [GIS] | A system of direct observation using computer tools for processing and organizing satellite images with other information |
Latitude | Parallels that circle the Earth measuring distance in degrees north or south of the Equator |
Longitude | Meridians that circle the Earth measuring distance in degrees east or west of the Prime Meridian |
Absolute Location | The exact position of a place on the Earth's surface as determined by locating that precise spot on the Grid System where a line of latitude and line of longitude meet |
Relative Location | Location in relation to other places |
Directional Indicator | A compass rose that indicates directions of north, south, east, west and variations of such as NE, SW, NW, SE; the N/S [latitude] must always come before the E/W [longitude] in a directional |
Scale | The size of a picture, plan, or model compared to the size of the thing itself |
Scale Bar | Shows the relationship between map measurements and actual distance on Earth |
Cartographer | another name for a person who makes maps-a mapmaker |
Globe | A spherical [round] scale model representation of the Earth that accurately shows area, distance, and direction but few close-up details |
Map Projection | A mathematical formula used to represent the curved surface of the Earth onto a flat surface of a map which distorts distance, shape, direction and size of land massess |
Mercator Projection | Accurately shows true direction and shapes of land masses so is good for navigation, but distorts size and distance when moving away from Equator, so distorts Poles |
Robinson Projection | Accurately shows eastern and western edges of map and continents, but North and South Poles are distorted by flattening out |
Polar Projection [also called Azimuthal] | Accurately shows the Earth centered in such a way that a straight line coming from the center to any point is the shortest distance, used for maps of the Poles |
Physical Map | Shows location and topography [shape of Earth's physical features] such as mountains, valleys, rivers, lakes, elevation [height of landforms] |
Thematic Map | Shows a single idea or kind of information, such as imports, exports, natural resources like coal or minerals, or movement of people or animals shown by arrows [flow-line map] |
Political Map | Shows man-made boundaries of countries, states, cities, towns, state capitols, roads, railroads made by man |
Perceptual Region | Based on feelings or popular images, such as the "heartland" of traditional values |
Functional Region | A central place with surrounding areas, such as "Roanoke Valley" includes City of Roanoke and outlying areas such as Roanoke County, Salem, Glenvar, Vinton |
Formal Region | Has a common characteristic like a product grown there or manufactured there, such as "Corn Belt", or "Rust Belt" where cars are made |
Hemispheres divided by the Equator | Northern and Southern |
Hemispheres divided by the Prime Meridian and International Date Line in Greenwich, England | Eastern and Western |
30% of Earth's surface | Is covered by land; the other 70% is covered by water |
Shore of Dead Sea | Lowest point of elevation of dry land on Earth |
Mount Everest | Highest point of elevation on Earth |
Renewable Resources | Can be replaced naturally or grown, such as crops, wind, sun, animals |
Non-Renewable Resources | Come from Earth's crust and cannot be replaced, such as oil and gold, so must be carefully managed |
6.5 billion | Approximate number of people who live on Earth |
Amount of Earth's surface that is habitable for humans to live | 30%; this is why population is so unevenly distributed because humans can only live on one-third of the Earth's surface |
Physical Region | Based on physical features [climate, vegetation, and land masses, such as a taiga which is a vast subarctic forest covering most of Russia] |
Cultural Region | Based on social groups, language, religion, economic systems, such as Latin America |
Human-Environment Interaction | The study of relationships between people and their environment, such as "cultural divergence" [divisions among people due to differing political, religious, or cultural beliefs] |