Geography
Geography- The study of the physical features of the earth and its atmosphere, and of human
activity as it affects and is affected by these.
Earth- The planet I live on ;) Rotates counter clockwise around the sun, causing night and day,
and the seasons.
Globe- A ball shaped model of the Earth.
Equator- An imaginary line around the middle of the Earth (left to right). It divides the Earth
into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
Prime Meridian- An imaginary line around the middle of the Earth (up and down). It divides the
Earth into the Eastern and Western Hemispheres.
Prime Meridian
"
Equator !
!
Parallels of Latitude- Imaginary lines running from
east to west around the globe. Also called “parallels”
because they do not intersect.
Meridians of Longitude- Imaginary lines running from
north to south around the globe. Are not parallel
because they intersect at the north and south poles.
Map Projections
Map Projections- different ways to represent the curved surface of the Earth on the flat
surface of a map.
Distortion- Alteration of the original shape, including: distance, direction, shape, and area.
Cartographer- measures, analyzes, and interprets geographic information to create maps and
charts for political, cultural, educational, and other purposes.
Maps
Map- a visual representation of an area.
!
Map of My Bedroom
!
**Be sure to include a “map key” for the map of your bedroom
!
Title of a Map- tells you the subject of the map.
Compass Rose- shows cardinal directions (north, south, east, west) and
intermediate directions (NE, NW, SE, SW).
!
Key- or legend, shows the symbols and colors used on the
map, and what each one means.
!
Locator Globe- show where on the globe the area of the map is located.
Scale- shows the actual distances between points shown on the map (ex. 1 inch= 1 mile).
Types of Maps
Political Map- show political borders: continents, countries, and divisions within countries.
!
!
Physical Map- shows what a region looks like by showing its physical features, such as hills,
plains, and mountains.
!
Topographic Map- is similar to a physical map in that it shows physical landscape, but is
different in that it uses contour lines instead of (or in addition to) color to show elevation
levels.
!
!
Climate Map- shows information about the climate of an area.
!
Economic or Resource Map- shows the type of economic activity or natural resources present
in an area through the use of symbols or colors.
!
!
Road Map- shows major and minor highways and roads, as well as things like airports, city
locations, and points of interest.
!
Thematic Map- focuses on a particular theme or topic.
!
!
World Map
!
**Color each of the 7 continents a different color
!
7 Continents of the World
!
(Acronym: AAAAENS)
Africa- scientists think the first human beings lived here
Antarctica- population is zero (except for some scientists)
Asia- largest continent
Australia- smallest continent (only one country)
Europe- second smallest, but has nearly 50 countries
North America- the continent that we live on; includes the USA, Canada, Mexico, Central
America, Islands of the Caribbean Sean, and Greenland
South America- has the largest rainforest in the world (Amazon Rainforest)
**Be sure to label each of these on your WORLD MAP
!
Oceans of the World
!
Arctic- from the North Pole to North America, Europe, and Asia; smallest ocean
Atlantic- from the Americas to Europe and Africa; contains the Gulf of Mexico
Indian- surrounded by Africa, Asia, and Australia
Pacific- stretches from the Americas to Asia; largest and deepest ocean
Southern- all oceans below 60 degrees South
**Be sure to label each of these on your WORLD MAP