The Geographer’s The Geographer’s ToolsTools
Geographers use maps, Geographers use maps, globes, charts, graphs, globes, charts, graphs, and new technology to and new technology to learn about and display learn about and display the features of Earththe features of Earth..
It is important to study the geography It is important to study the geography and history of other countries around and history of other countries around the world the world We need to understand other cultures in We need to understand other cultures in
order to appreciate our world order to appreciate our world Knowledge of other countries is the key to Knowledge of other countries is the key to
understanding themunderstanding them Today, we will review our map skills so Today, we will review our map skills so
that we can find where places are that we can find where places are located!located!
Maps and GlobesMaps and Globes
Differences Between Maps and GlobesDifferences Between Maps and Globes A globe is an accurate, three-A globe is an accurate, three-
dimensional model of the earthdimensional model of the earth Maps are less accurate than globes in Maps are less accurate than globes in
picturing the earth because they are picturing the earth because they are just two-dimensionaljust two-dimensional Knowing how to read a map is very Knowing how to read a map is very
important important Let’s talk about some types of maps Let’s talk about some types of maps
Physical Map Physical Map
The World PhysicalThe World Physical
Physical maps show what the Physical maps show what the surface of the Earth looks like.surface of the Earth looks like.
Political Map Political Map
The World PoliticalThe World Political
Political maps show how people have Political maps show how people have divided places on the Earth into divided places on the Earth into countries, states, cities and other countries, states, cities and other units for the purpose of governing units for the purpose of governing them.them.
Climate Maps Climate Maps
Locating Places on a Map Locating Places on a Map
Maps show the locations of different Maps show the locations of different places: countries, states, state places: countries, states, state capitals, and other places, too. capitals, and other places, too.
Without a map, it would be really Without a map, it would be really hard to know where all these places hard to know where all these places are. are. every map has tools to help us read the every map has tools to help us read the
map map
Latitude and LongitudeLatitude and Longitude The earth is divided into lots of The earth is divided into lots of
lines called lines called latitudelatitude and and longitudelongitude..
LinesLines
Longitude lines run north and Longitude lines run north and south.south.
Latitude lines run east and west. Latitude lines run east and west. The lines measure distances in The lines measure distances in
degrees.degrees. Latitude
Longitude
Where is 0 degree?Where is 0 degree?
The The equatorequator is 0 degree is 0 degree latitude. latitude.
It is an imaginary belt that is the It is an imaginary belt that is the halfway point between the North halfway point between the North Pole and the South Pole.Pole and the South Pole.
Equator
Where is 0 degree?Where is 0 degree?
The The prime meridianprime meridian is 0 degrees is 0 degrees longitude. This imaginary line runs longitude. This imaginary line runs through the United Kingdom, through the United Kingdom, France, Spain, western Africa, and France, Spain, western Africa, and Antarctica.Antarctica.
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MERIDIAN
Absolute Location- Absolute Location- where a line of latitude where a line of latitude intersects with a line of intersects with a line of
longitudelongitude A. The Absolute Location is given as A. The Absolute Location is given as
a coordinate pair (a coordinate pair (XX,,YY on an axis) on an axis) B. Latitude (the B. Latitude (the XX number) is always number) is always
listed firstlisted first
HemispheresHemispheres
By using the equator and By using the equator and prime meridian, we can prime meridian, we can divide the world into four divide the world into four hemisphereshemispheres, north, , north, south, east, and west. south, east, and west.
CompassCompassA compass is a tool that A compass is a tool that
helps the user know what helps the user know what direction one is headed.direction one is headed.
On a map, a compass or a On a map, a compass or a compass rose helps the compass rose helps the user locate these user locate these directions.directions.
ScaleScale Maps are made to scale; that is, there is a Maps are made to scale; that is, there is a
direct connection between a unit of direct connection between a unit of measurement on the map and the actual measurement on the map and the actual distance.distance.
For example, each inch on the map For example, each inch on the map represents one mile on Earth. So, a map of represents one mile on Earth. So, a map of a town would show a mile-long strip of a town would show a mile-long strip of fast food joints and auto dealers in one fast food joints and auto dealers in one inch.inch.
Scale
Time ZonesTime Zones
The Earth is divided into 24 time The Earth is divided into 24 time zones, corresponding to 24 hours in zones, corresponding to 24 hours in a day. a day.
As the earth rotates, the sun shines As the earth rotates, the sun shines in different areas, moving from east in different areas, moving from east to west during the course of a day. to west during the course of a day.
Places that have the same Places that have the same longitudelongitude will be in the same time will be in the same time zone.zone.
Let’s Practice!!!Let’s Practice!!!