chapter 2 a spatial way of thinking. essential question why do geographers use a variety of maps to...
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CHAPTER 2
A Spatial Way of Thinking
Essential QuestionWhy do geographers use a variety of maps to represent the world?
Geoterms• Climate: the pattern of weather over a long period of time• Economic Activity: any action that relates to the making, buying, and selling of goods
and services• Landform: any natural feature of Earth’s surface that has a distinct shape. Landforms
include major features such as continents, plains, plateaus, and mountain ranges. They also include features such as hills, valleys, canyons, and dunes.• Physical Feature: any natural characteristic of Earth’s surface, such as landforms and
bodies of water• Population Density: the average number of people who live in a unit of area, such as a
square mile. Population density measures how crowded an area is.• Regions: an area defined by one or more natural or cultural characteristics that set it
apart from other areas• Thematic Map: a map that shows a particular theme, or topic• Vegetation: all the plants and trees in an area
The Geographic Setting:Thematic Maps
• Thematic Maps Can Show Physical GeographyPhysical Features
Landforms – mountains, valleys, rivers, streams, plains, and plateausClimate – determines the types of vegetation that will grow in an area
• Thematic Maps Can Show Human GeographyPopulation DensityEconomic Activity
• A Map’s Title and Legend State Its Theme
Mapping Earth’s Physical Features
• Common Landforms• Mountain Ranges• Plateaus• Canyons• Peninsulas
• Bodies of Water• Lakes• Oceans• Gulfs• Rivers
Hot, Cold, Wet, Dry: Earth’s Climate
• Climate ZonesParticular temperature patternsPrecipitation
rain, snow, and other moistureClimagraph
used to show the average temperature and precipitation in a place over a year
• Location Affects ClimateLatitude
most important – tropics, North & South polesElevation
high elevations have colder climatesLarge bodies of water
Costal areas have even year round tempsMore extreme climates are found further inland
Trees and Other Plants: Earth’s Vegetation
• Vegetation is Adapted to Its EnvironmentDesert – hot and dry (arid climate)
Cactus and other scrubby brushTundra – cold and dry
Small plants, bushes, and wildflowersHumid Continental– warm, rainy summers and cool, snowy winters
Fir and pine trees
• Global Vegetation Zones• In each zone, a certain mix of plants has adapted to similar conditions
Where People Live: Population Density
• Population Density Measures Crowding
Economic Activity: Land and Resources
• Land Use Shows How People Make a Living• Land Use
• Farming• Grazing flocks of cattle, goats, and sheep• Mining
• Natural Resources Affect Economic Activities• Nation’s Natural Resources
• Forestry – the harvest of trees to produce wood products• Oceans – fishing• Minerals – iron, cooper, gold, etc.• Fossil Fuels – oil, coal, and natural gas• Rivers – dams built to produce hydroelectric power
Organizing Earth’s Surface: Regions
• Unique Features Define a Region• Sunbelt – region defined by physical, or natural features
• Warm, sunny climate• Cornbelt – region defined by human features
• Raising corn is an important economic activity
• Dividing the World into Seven Major Regions• The regions are large, but each has its own distinct features
Essential QuestionWhy do geographers use a variety of maps to represent the world?
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