Download The Six Elements of Geography

The Six Elements of Geography
1. The World in Spatial Terms
-The study of geography starts with location. Location serves as a
starting point by defining where a place is, in relation to other places.
2. Places and Regions
-Place not only means where a place is, but what that place is like.
Physical characteristics, such as landforms, climate, plant or animal life help
distinguish a place from another. Geographers often group places or areas
into regions, which are united by one or more common characteristics.
3. Physical Systems
-When studying a place, geographers also have to take into account
how physical systems, such as hurricanes, volcanoes, glaciers, earthquakes,
shape the earth’s surface. They also look at ecosystems, and how plants and
animals depend on each other and their surroundings for survival.
4. Human Systems
-Geographers also look at how humans have shaped our world. How
are boundary lines determined, and why do people settle in certain places
and not others? A key theme in geography is the continual movement of
people, ideas and goods.
5. Environment and Society
-How does the relationship between people and their natural
surroundings influence the way people live? Geographers study how people
use the environment and how their actions affect the environment.
6. The Uses of Geography
-Knowing how to use geography helps people understand the
relationships among people, places and environments over time. How might
a war or a famine in one part of the world affect the societies in another part
of the world? How might geography dictate the resources available in a
place, or how war is fought?
Key Terms of Geography
Compass Rose: a marker that indicates directions (i.e. North, South, East, West)
Cardinal Directions: North, South, East and West.
Intermediate Directions: The “in-between” points on a compass rose, such as Northeast and
Southwest.
Tropic of Cancer: The line of latitude at 23 ½ degrees North.
Tropic of Capricorn: The line of latitude at 23 ½ degrees South.
The Tropics: the area between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.
Hemispheres: The area between the Prime Meridian and the International Dateline to the
east is the Eastern Hemisphere. The area between the Prime Meridian and the International
Dateline to the west is the Western Hemisphere. The area to the south of the Equator is the
Southern Hemisphere and the area to the north of the Equator is the Northern Hemisphere.
Key: a list that explains what certain symbols on the map mean. These symbols may
represent mountain, rivers, boundaries, resources, cities, etc.
Latitude: Lines of latitude circle the earth parallel to the Equator, and measure distance
north and south of the Equator in degrees. The Equator is at 0 degrees latitude, while the
poles lie at 90 degrees north and 90 degrees south.
Longitude: Lines of Longitude circle the earth from pole to pole. These lines measure
distance east or west of the starting line, which is at 0 degrees longitude and is called the
Prime Meridian. The Prime Meridian runs through the Royal Observatory in Greenwich,
England.
Absolute Location: The grid system formed by lines of longitude and latitude make it
possible to find the absolute location of a place. Many places can be found along a line of
longitude or latitude alone, but only one place can be found at the point where a certain line
of longitude crosses a certain line of latitude. By using degrees and minutes along lines of
latitude and longitude, people can pinpoint the precise point of a place-an absolute location.
Physical Maps: These maps show the location and topography, or shape, of the earth’s
physical features. (i.e. rivers, mountains, etc.) They use patterns or colors to indicate reliefthe differences in elevation, or height, of landforms.
Political Maps: These maps show the boundaries between countries. Smaller internal
divisions, such as states or provinces, may be indicated by different symbols. Political maps
usually feature capitals or other important settlements.
Special-purpose Maps: These maps show information on specific topics, such as migration,
population, resources, battle sites, and exploration routes.