TOOLS OF

GEOGRAPHY

TOOLS TO USE

•Maps- two-dimensional graphic representations of selected parts of the earth’s surface

•Globes- a three-dimensional representation of the earth

Advantages

• Maps are portable and easy to use

• Globes show the earth as it sits in space

MAPS

• Eratosthenes was first to calculate circumference of earth (only off about 15 degrees) in about 255 BC

• Oldest known map is Babylonian clay tablet created about 2500 years ago

FINDING LOCATION

• GPS-provides absolute location• Theodolite-type of surveying

equipment used to measure angles and distances

• Magnetic Compass-used to accurately determine direction

• Landsat-series of satellites geographers use to provide geographical information

• GIS-stores info about the world in a digital database

Satellites

• Best known satellites to map earth are Landsat and GOES (Geostationary Operational Environment Satellite)

READING MAPS

• Title- explains the subject and what information the map conveys

• Compass Rose- shows North, South, East and West

• Labels- explains features

READING MAPS

• Legend or Key- lists and explains symbols or colors

• Lines of Latitude- lines that measure distance North and South

• Meridians of Longitude- lines that measure distance East and West

MAP READING

• Scale- shows the ratio between a unit of length on a map and a unit of distance on the earth

• Symbols- represents items on the map

• Colors- represents a variety of information on a map

TYPES OF MAPS

• Physical Map- shows landforms and bodies of water

• Political Map- shows features created by humans

• Flow-line Maps- illustrate movement of people, goods, idea, etc.

TYPES OF MAPS

• General Reference Map- a representation of natural man-made features on the earth

• Thematic maps- maps that focus on specific types of information (climate, vegetation, etc)– Qualitative maps- use colors, symbols, dots &

lines to show a pattern– Cartograms- shows info based on data other

than land area

MAP PROJECTIONS

• A map projection is a way of drawing the earth’s surface that reduces distortion caused by presenting a round earth on flat paper

• Distance, shape, direction or area may be distorted by a projection

PROJECTIONS

• Planar Projections- a projection on a flat surface, called azimuthal projections; it distorts size and shape

• Conical Projections- these show shape fairly accurately, but will distort landmass at the edges

PROJECTIONS

• Cylindrical Projections- shows the entire earth on one map– Mercator- shapes are distorted at the

poles and compressed near the equator– Homolosine- oceans are separated; has

accurate shapes but distorted distances– Robinson- shows entire earth with

nearly true sizes & shapes; the landforms near the poles are flat