Geography exam

Map projection

Transforming the globe into a flat map.

Mercator Map

 Good for navigation and shape but distorts size, especially near the poles.

Peters Projections,

Accurately represents size but distorts shape.

Winkel-Tripel Projection

Balances size and shape but isn’t perfect at either.

R.F. scale

Ratio of map distance to ground distance (e.g., 1:50,000).

, Direct Statement

Expresses the scale as a statement (e.g., 1 cm = 15 km).

International Date Line

Follows the 180° longitude roughly through the Pacific Ocean.

, Prime Meridian

0° longitude, runs through Greenwich, England.

Equator

0° latitude, divides the Earth into Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Longitude

Distance east or west of the Prime Meridian (0° to 180°).

, Latitude,

Distance north or south of the Equator (0° to 90°).

Time zones

Vary by 15° of longitude, with the number increasing as you move eastward.

Climate

Long-term average of weather in a region.

Weather

The current state of the atmosphere in a specific place.

Latitude in influencing climate

Closer to the equator generally means warmer temperatures.

Elevation

Higher elevations are cooler because the air is thinner and holds less heat.

Wind

Caused by temperature differences; prevailing winds blow consistently in a certain direction.

Moderating Effect

Bodies of water regulate temperature, leading to milder climates near coasts.

Continental Climate

Far from large bodies of water, experiences greater temperature extremes.

Maritime Climate

Near large bodies of water, more moderate temperatures.

Primary Industry

Extracting natural resources (e.g., mining, farming).

Secondary Industry

Manufacturing products (e.g., factories).

Tertiary Industry:

Providing services (e.g., retail, healthcare).

Quaternary Industry:

Knowledge-based services (e.g., IT, research).

Basic Industry

Brings money into the economy from outside (e.g., tourism, exporting goods).

Non-basic Industry:

Circulates money within the local economy (e.g., local grocery stores).

Primary Manufacturing:

Processing raw materials into products.

Secondary Manufacturing

Turning intermediate products into finished goods.

Tailings

Residual waste from mining operations.

GMO

Organisms modified for agricultural advantages, with ethical concerns.

Organic Food

Grown without synthetic chemicals.

Oil Sands

Mixture of sand and oil, extraction is costly and environmentally challenging.

Conventional Energy

Traditional sources like coal, nuclear, and hydroelectricity.

Alternative Energy

Renewable sources like solar, wind, geothermal, and tidal.

Hydroelectricity

Uses water flow to generate electricity; site-dependent.

Thermal Electricity:

Generated by burning fossil fuels; emits greenhouse gases.

Nuclear Energy

Generates heat from fission reactions; produces radioactive waste but no CO2 emissions.

most Accurate Earth Portrayal:

A globe is the most accurate way.

1:50,000,

15 cm = 7.5 km.

1:100,000,

4.5 cm = 4.5 km.

Map Requirements:

Title, Compass, Legend, Scale.

Seasons are caused by

by Earth’s axial tilt.

Grand Banks Cod Fishery Collapse:

Overfishing and lack of regulation led to the depletion of cod stocks.

Basic Industry Example:

Mining brings external money by selling extracted minerals.

Economic Importance: of basic industry

Basic industries are crucial as they inject new money into the economy.

Hydroelectricit Advantages Disadvantages

advatage Renewable, no emissions, reliable disadvatage Dependent on water availability, impacts ecosystems

Nuclear Electricity Advanatge and disadvantages

Advantage High energy output, no CO2 emissions Disadvatage Radioactive waste, high initial costs

Each industry we have discussed in class comes with major environmental costs but also provides Canada with thousands of jobs and billions of dollars. As such, every industry must balance their commercial goals with their environmental goals. Discuss the commercial and environmental issues involved with each industry and decide where you “fit in” amongst the commercial and environmental viewpoints.

Canada has one of the highest per capita greenhouse gas emission rates in the world. Provide at least five reasons why this might be. Despite our high per capita figures, Canada emits less than 2% of the world’s greenhouse gas. Do we as Canadians have an obligation to make an effort to reduce our contribution to climate change even though it’s such a small percentage? Explain your answer.