world geo

quiz 1

Map projection

A method of representing the three-dimensional surface of the earth on a two-dimensional plane such as a map. 

Absolute Location

The precise point on the Earth's surface defined by coordinates such as latitude and longitude, allowing for an exact identification of a place.

Relative Location

The position of a place or entity based on its location with respect to other locations, often described using landmarks or distances.

Elevation

Refers to the height of a point on the earth's surface above sea level

Geographic Information Systems

analyzes and visualizes data

Site

physical characteristics of a place

Situation

location of a place relative to its surrounding environment

Cartographers’ mapmakers

use mathematical formulas to make maps 

Great Circle Route

is the shortest route between two places 

Planar Projection

azimuthal projection map, most accurate from center (often used for north and south poles) 

Cylindrical Projection

most accurate at equator- most well known as Mercator projection

Latitude and Longitude

used to determine location and measure distance 

8 parts of maps

title, time, legend/key, icons/symbols, compass rose, line symbols, colors, scale

Physical Maps

location and topography (land and its features) 

Political Maps

boundaries, manmade countries, states, counties, cities, and towns 

Thematic Maps

single thing or subject 

Spatial Perspective

focuses on individual places, objects, and people are related to one another 

6 elements of geography

spatial terms, places and regions, formal regions, functional regions, perceptual region, physical geography, human geography/cultural geography 

Formal Region

unifying characteristics 

Functional Region

central feature that connects surrounding areas 

Perceptual Region

commonly accepted traditions or values of an area 

Branches of Geography

physical and human/cultural 

Physical Geography

focus on climate, land, water, plants, and animal life 

Human Geography

analyzing human activities and relationships with environment 

Methods of geographic research

direct observation, interview, technology 

Cultural geographers

using sociology and anthropology to study human tendencies 

what does ecological perspective focus on?

It focuses on how the physical environment influences human society and how human activities impact the environment 

Perspective of experience considers what? 

How individuals perceive and interact with their surroundings / how we make meaning from the world we live in 

The five basic skills that are key to geographer understanding are. 

1. asking geographic questions 

2. acquiring geographic information 

3. organizing geographic information 

4. analyzing geographic information 

5.  answering geographic questions

Most humans identify places on a day-to-day basis using what type of location? 

Relative location 

Regions are defined by: 

Human significance 

One of the ongoing themes of geography is. 

People, goods, ideas 

Maps create distortion in what areas? 

Shape, distance, area, and direction 

A Mercator projection is a common type of what map projection, and what is a positive and negative of this type of map projection? 

Cylindric map projection. Positive- displays true direction / negative- distorts size and shape 

The Goode’s Interrupted Equal-Area projection map shows true size and shape of what? 

It shows the true size of landmasses and continents

The zero-degree longitude line is known as what, and the line on the opposite side is known as. 

• The zero-degree longitude line is the prime meridian 

• The line on the opposite side is the international date line 

GPS provides accurate location in what three areas?’ 

Longitude, latitude, altitude