World GeographyChapter 2

Seeing the World Like a Geographer

Essential Question:Why do Geographers use different types of maps to show the world?

• Geographers use maps for many purposes• Map Titles show the content/theme/topic of

the map• There are many types of thematic maps (to

figure out a map’s theme look at the title and map key)

• There are two categories that geography and maps fall under:– Physical Geography-Climate, Vegetation, Physical

Features– Human Geography- Political, Economic Activity,

Population Density, Religion, Language

Physical Geography….

A Physical Features map shows landforms and bodies of water

• See page 28-29 to see a diagram of several Landforms and Bodies of Water

A Climate Zone map shows long term weather/temperature patterns

• See page 31 for a Climate Zone map of Australia

Climate Zones pg.30-31• Ice cap: very cold all year with permanent ice and snow• Tundra: very cold winters, cold summers, and little rain or snow• Subarctic: cold, snowy winters and cool, rainy summers• Highlands: temperature and precipitation vary with latitude and

elevation• Marine West Coast: warm summers, cool winters, and rainfall all year• Humid Continental: warm, rainy summers and cool, snow winters• Mediterranean: warm all year with dry summers and short, rainy winters• Humid Subtropical: hot, rainy summers and mild winters with some rain• Semiarid: hot, dry summers and cool, dry winters• Arid: hot and dry all year with very little rain• Tropical Wet and Dry: hot all year with rainy and dry seasons• Tropical Wet: hot and rainy all year

A Vegetation Map shows the type of vegetation (plants) that grow in an area• See page 33 for a Vegetation Zone map of

North Africa

Vegetation Zones pg.32-33• Ice Cap: permanent ice and snow; no plant life• Tundra: treeless plain with grasses, mosses, and scrubs adapted to a cold climate• Coniferous Forest: evergreen trees with needles and cones• Mixed Forest: a mix of coniferous and deciduous trees• Deciduous Forest: trees with broad, flat leaves that are shed before winter• Temperate Grassland: short and tall grasses adapted to cool climates• Chaparral: small trees and buses adapted to a Mediterranean climate• Desert Scrub: small trees, bushes, and other plants adapted to a dry climate• Desert: arid region with few plants• Tropical Grassland: grasses and scattered trees adapted to a tropical wet and dry

climate• Broadleaf Evergreen Forest: tall trees with large leaves that remain green all year• Highlands: varies by elevation

Human Geography….

A Population Density shows how crowded a place is.

• See page 35 for the Population Density of China

An Economic Activity map shows land use (how people make a living) and natural

resources (which can effect the economy)

• See page 37 for the Economic Activity of Europe• Types of Land Use: – Hunting and Gathering, Subsistence Farming,

Commercial Farming, Nomadic Herding, Livestock Raising, Commercial Fishing, Forestry, and Trade & Manufacturing

• Resources:– Coal, Hydroelectric Power, Iron, Natural Gas,

Petroleum (oil), Precious Metals (gold, silver, copper), Uranium

7 Regions of the World

Why do geographers divide the world into regions?

• Each region has certain distinct physical features and unique human characteristics

• Another type of human geography map you should be familiar with is a Political Map (shows boundaries of states/countries)

What is the theme of the following map:

• Climate Zone• Vegetation Zone• Population Density• Economic Activity• Political• Physical Features

What is the theme of the following map:

• Climate Zone• Vegetation Zone• Population Density• Economic Activity• Political• Physical Features

What is the theme of the following map:

• Climate Zone• Vegetation Zone• Population Density• Economic Activity• Political• Physical Features

What is the theme of the following map:

• Climate Zone• Vegetation Zone• Population Density• Economic Activity• Political• Physical Features

What is the theme of the following map:

• Climate Zone• Vegetation Zone• Population Density• Economic Activity• Political• Physical Features

What is the theme of the following map:

• Climate Zone• Vegetation Zone• Population Density• Economic Activity• Political• Physical Features