1-2 Understanding the Physical World

Why have mapmakers created different map projections?

What are the four major landforms?What factors influence climate?

I.Tools of Geographers

• A. MP=Maps are important!1.-ancient times=defense (shows distance of attacker)

• 2.Accuracy important!!!

B. Maps and globes BOTH show the land and water on earth.

1.Globes-

+++shaped like earth=TRUE picture

•                 ---Negative- can’t lug around

•      2. Map-+++ easy to carry

•                  --- Negative- flat= distort land

• C. Types of MAP PROJECTIONS1.(ways of showing curved earth on flat surface)

2. ALL distort something  

a.1. Size of land

b. Shape of land

•  

3. 4 PROJECTIONS

a. Mercator Projection

1.hist- 1569- Geradus Mercator made a map for  sailors     

2. accurate shape and size at equat.

3.distorted at poles (triple size Greenland)

b. Interrupted Projection

1. correct size, and shape of LAND

2.can’t calcul. Distance across ocean

c. Peters Projection

1.correct size of land and water

2.can use for directions

3.distorts shape (Africa and South America elongated)

d. Robinson

1.correct size/shape of MOST land

2. distorted on edges

3.Pretty accurate overall

Which is Which?

4. SPECIAL PURPOSE MAPS

a.Political= nations

b.Physical= landforms and TOPOGRAPHY- physical features of a place

c.POPULATION- #of people

d.NATURAL RESOURCES- oil, coal.

e.VEGETATION

C. MAPS AND CULTURE

1. all from a “point of view” maker usually centers self

• D. MAJOR LANDFORMS1. Mountains- at least 2,000 ft. steep

a.(Himalayas- world’s largest!)b.effect on people= small popc.adapt to live

2. Hills-raised land lower than mnts.- larger pops3. Plains- gently rolling land

a. Low elevationb. If rain- good for cropsc. Coastal plains many cities (ports)d. Interior- “breadbasket of USA”

4. Plateausa. Large areas of high elevationb. Can be good for farming/if rain Can offer relief from heat in Tropical areas- Mexico City

• E. CLIMATE ZONE1 Climate- avg weather over period of 20-30 yrs

a.EFFECT on people?1. Modification- air cond2. Adapt- siesta

b. Factors that Affect Climate1.elevation2.location3.warm ocean/cold ocean4.wind/jet stream

• C. Types of Climate Zones• 1.Tropical-

a.by equat.

b.Wet and dry season

• 2.Temperate-

a.just north or south of eq

b.warm and cold season

• 3.Arctic= cold all year