Seeing the World Like a Geographer

Seeing the World Like a Geographer World Geography

The Geographic Setting • Thematic maps are all around us • Weather map, bus route, mall map • Show info about some aspect of physical or human geography

Thematic Map Can Show Physical Geography • Physical Features – the natural parts of Earth’s surface • Landforms – mountains, valleys, plains, plateaus

Thematic Map Can Show Physical Geography • Climate – long term weather patterns – rainfall, temperature • Vegetation – trees and other plants that grow in an area

Thematic Maps Can Show Human Geography • Political map – boarders of countries • Population density map – average number of people living in a unit of area – sq mile

Thematic Maps Can Show Human Geography • Economic activity map – ways people produce, buy and sell goods and services • Natural resources – useful items found in nature

A Map’s Title and Legend State Its Theme • First look at the title • Map legend to determine how to read it - colors

Physical Features Basin - a large or small depression in the surface of the land or in the ocean floor Bay - an area of water mostly surrounded or otherwise separated or limited by land.

Physical Features Delta - area where a river divides before entering a larger body of water Gulf - a large bay that is an arm of an ocean or sea

Physical Features Isthmus – is a narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas usually with waterforms on either side Lake - a body of liquid on the surface of a world that is localized to the bottom of a basin

Physical Features Mountain range -a single, large mass consisting of a succession of mountains, closely related in position, direction, formation, and age. Peninsula - is a piece of land that is surrounded by water but connected to mainland via an isthmus. • is a piece of land that is surrounded by water but connected to mainland via an isthmus.

Physical Features Plain – is land with relatively low relief, that is flat or gently rolling. Plateau - is an area of highland, usually consisting of relatively flat terrain.

Physical Features River – is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing toward an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. Strait - is a narrow, navigable channel of water that connects two larger navigable bodies of water.

Physical Features • End.

Seeing the World Like a Geographer