C.1 Geography, Skill #4- Notes

C.1 Geography, Skill #4- Notes

Analyze geographic information from maps, charts, and graphs.

Maps

Maps two-dimensional model of the Earth or a portion of its surface maps are made to represent an area that we cannot see, to show a phenomenon/ process, to present information concisely, or to show spatial relationships depict spatial information on paper so that the geographer can read and use information effectively Categorized based on the kind of information they include General reference maps show a variety of information about a location such as geological, geographical, political Political maps show political boundaries, states, cities, capitals and countries Physical maps show landforms and bodies of water Special Purpose Maps (Thematic) focus on specific aspect of geography such as climate, vegetation, population density, etc. Map properties shape geometric shapes of the objects on the map Size (area) relative amount of space taken up on the map by the landforms/ objects on the map Distance represented distance between objects on the map Direction degree of accuracy representing the cardinal directions and their intermediate directions less accurate are the relative directions people commonly use to describe a location (left, right, up, down, etc.) Parts of a map Title Compass Scale Grid longitude (meridian) lines: run Pole to Pole (up and down/ vertical) and measure distances east and west of the prime meridian (0') latitude lines: run parallel/ horizontal and measure distances north and south of the equator Labels Key (Legend)

Graphs and Charts

Graphs and charts graphical representations that summarize data and show relationships between data have the capability of strengthening the implications about data through the use of visual images, colors, and other tools Features title diagram dimensions scale labels data legend Types of charts and graphs area chart/ graph used to show how something changes over time bar chart/ graph uses horizontal/ vertical blocks/ bars to compare the amounts/ frequency of items or shows single items at distinct intervals useful for comparing groups of data column chart compare items at distinct intervals different from bar charts in that they arrange categories along the horizontal axis and place the values along the vertical axis line chart/ graph compares two or more sets of information plots the value of data and then connects the dots usually show continuous change over time Pie chart/ circle graph used t represent a part-to-whole relationship between data groups show the relationship between component values but only reflect a snapshot of one moment in time Scatter plot/ scattergraph simplest type of graph data displayed as a collection of points hat simply plots the data points against their values without making any connecting lines, columns, or bars