Unit 1: Thinking Geographically

Identify why geographers use maps and data?

Geographers use maps and data to depict relationships of time, space, and scale.

Identify the two types of maps

The two types of maps are: reference and thematic.

Define reference maps

Reference maps are maps that show reference information for a particular place, making it useful for finding landmarks and for navigation.

Define thematic maps

Thematic maps are a type of map that displays one or more variables—such as population or income level—within a specific area

Identify the types of thematic maps

Thematic maps include: choropleth, cartograms, proportional/ graduated circle map, dot density/ distribution maps.

Define choropleth maps

Choropleth maps are thematic maps the utilize colors to show data aggregated for a specific geographic area.

Define cartograms

Cartograms are maps the distort the geographic shape of an area in order to show the size of specific variable; the larger the area on a cartogram, the larger the value of the underlying variable.

Define spatial patterns

Spatial patterns are the placement or arrangement of objects on Earth's surface; it also includes the space between those objects.

Identify the types of spatial patterns represented on a map

The types of spatial patterns represented on maps include: absolute and relative distance and direction, clustering, dispersal, and elevation.

Define absolute location

Absolute location is the exact position of an object or place, measure within the spatial coordinates of a grid system. =

Describe the concept coordinate system

The coordinate system is a standard grid, composed of lines of latitude and longitude, used to determine the absolute location of any object, place or feature on Earth’s surface.

Define latitude

Latitude is the angular distance north or south, vertically, of the equator, defined by parallels; they orinate at 0° and terminate at 90°.

Define longitude

Longitude is the angular distance east or west, horizontally, of the prime meridian (0°) —Greenwich, New England— and end at the International Date Line (180°); they are defined by meridians.

Define absolue distance

Absolute distance is the measurement of linear space, in standard or metric units, between two places e.g. Bangor, Maine is 130 miles northeast of Portland, Maine.

Define relative location (situation)

Relative location describes a place’s relationship to other places around it e.g. San Francisco is the economic hub of northern California.

Define relative distance

Relative distance is a measurement of the level of social, cultural, or economic similarity between places despite their absolute distance from each other. It analyzes the connectivity between those two places.

Define absolute location

Absolute location refers to a precise position on Earth’s surface.

Define clustering

Clustering is when things are close together, clumped.

Define dispersal

Dispersal refers to when objects are organized in a manner in which they are far apart, spread out.

Define elevation

Elevation is the distance above sea level.