california geography basics

1. WELCOME TO
Instructor
Carol Jean Cox

2. Introduction Overview
•Geography defined
•Concepts of Location
•Globes, Maps & Map Basics
•Geographic Grid

4. GEOGRAPHY
Geo = earth
graphy = to scribe,
draw, or map

5. GEOGRAPHY
• the science of location
•the study of spatial relationships,
(context &interconnectedness)
•an integrated science that uses
knowledge from many disciplines

6. DIVISIONS OF GEOGRAPHY
C U L T U R A L G E O G R A P H Y
H u m a n C u lt u r e s
U r b a n G e o g r a p h y
E c o n o m ic G e o g r a p h y
P H Y S I C A L G E O G R A P H Y
E a r t h S c ie n c e s
B io - g e o g r a p h y
W e a t h e r & C lim a t e
T E C H N O L O G I C A L G E O G R A P H Y
G e o g r a p h ic I n fo r m a t io n S y s t e m s
Q u a n t a t a t iv e G e o g r a p h y
R e m o t e S e n s in g
T H E W O R L D O F G E O G R A P H Y

7. TOPICAL VS. REGIONAL
APPROACH TO STUDYING
GEOGRAPHY
• Topical or Thematic
Studies
– climate
– vegetation
– landforms
– hydrology
– plate tectonics
– soils
• Regional Studies
– North America
– Africa
– East Asia
– USA
– California
– Sacramento region

8. California Geography
• Geography: The study of where things are.
• California: A political unit with distinct
boundaries, and territory
• California Geography: the study of the
location of, context and interaction of
phenomenon within the state of California

10. Northern
Hemisphere
Arctic Ocean
& North
America

11. Pacific
Ocean

12. Pacific
Rim

13. Western
North
America

16. Introduction Overview
•Geography defined
•Concepts of Location
•Globes, Maps & Map Basics
•Geographic Grid

17. LOCATION
• Relative Location
– location relative to other locations
– situation
• Exact Location
– geographic grid (38 °N 120 °W)
• latitude & longitude
– site
• Place Names
– labels for locations

18. Introduction Overview
•Geography defined
•Concepts of Location
•Globes, Maps & Map Basics
•Geographic Grid
•California Overview

19. GLOBES & MAPS
• Globe: a spherical model of the earth
that maintains area, shape distance
& direction
• Map: a flat representation of a globe
that allows distortion

20. MAP BASICS
• Maps may show
–Shape of objects
–Area of objects
–Distance to Objects
–Direction

21. MAP BASICS
• Maps must include
–Title
–Legend or Key
–Compass Rose
–Scale

22. SCALE
• Scale: the relationship between units on
the map and actual distance on the
ground
• Written Scale: one inch equals one mile
• Linear Scale: |---------|---------|----------|
• Ratio Scale: 1:63,360

23. Introduction Overview
•Geography defined
•Concepts of Location
•Globes, Maps & Map Basics
•Geographic Grid

24. Latitude
GEOGRAPHIC
GRID
A system of
measurements
from reference
points that allow
us to locate
places

26. GEOGRAPHIC GRID
• REFERENCE POINTS
• Equator - A great circle that divides the
globe into two equal halves or
hemispheres of north and south.
Located at 0 ° latitude
• North and South Poles - located at right
angles or 90° from the plane of the
equator.

27. GEOGRAPHIC GRID
• REFERENCE POINTS
• Prime Meridian: The meridian, designated
as 0° E, W longitude, that passes
through the Royal Observatory at
Greenwich, England.
• International Date Line: An arc that follows
180° longitude E,W. When crossing the
date line, the calendar is turned forward
or backward one day, depending on
direction of travel.

28. Latitude
Latitude -
angular measurement
north or south of
the equator

29. Latitude
Longitude-
angular measurement
east or west of England

30. Parallels
are
circular
lines
used to
indicate
latitude
Meridians
are arcs
used to

32. Introduction Overview
•Geography defined
•Concepts of Location
•Globes, Maps & Map Basics
•Geographic Grid

33. Instructor
Carol Jean Cox