Getting Oriented: Basic

Geography
 Maps: Inherent Distortions
Interpreting the globe onto a flat piece of paper
Projection Types
Cylindrical
Robinsons
Goodes
Is North Necessarily UP?
THE AUSTRALIA PERSPECTIVE
Hemispheres
Latitude and Longitude
 Turn to page 4 in the
Perthes World Atlas.
What is the approximate latitude
of Seattle Washington? 47oN
What is the approximate longitude
122oW
of Seattle Washington?

The Coordinates of
Seattle Washington are
47 N, 122 W
o o
 You are receiving a piece of
paper that has on it the name of
a city or a set of coordinates

• If you have a city, find the person

with the coordinates that match
• If you have a set of coordinates,
find the person with the city that
define the location of the city.
Latitude and Longitude: Label
the Following
• Prime Meridian, O°
Longitude
• International
Dateline
• Equator, 0°
Latitude
• Hemispheres (4)
Equator, Tropics, & Poles
 Equator, Tropics, & Poles:
Items to Label
• Tropics of
Capricorn at 23.5°
S. Latitude
• Tropic of Cancer
at 23.5° North
Latitude
• What are the
winter and
Summer
Solstices?
• What are the
Equinoxes of fall
and spring ?
 Turn to page 38
In your atlas to see a
different perspective

CLICK TO SEE
“REAL TIME” TIME
Basic Physical Features
Physical Features To Know
• Continents
• Oceans
• Sea’s: Mediterranean,
Caribbean, Arabian, Japan,
North, Baltic, Bering, Red,
Adriatic
• Gulf’s: Persian, Alaska,
Mexico,
• Key, Compass
Rose/Cardinal points, Scale
• Hemispheres
 Thematic Maps
Add a theme to your map
See pages 18–64 of Perthes World Atlas for ideas.

• Climate (Temp., Precipitation, etc.)

• Natural Resources (Forests, water, etc)
• Human Resources (Agriculture, Trade,
Energy consumption)
• Demographics (Poverty, Education, Health
Care)
Map Enlargement Project: Step #1

• Place your ruler

along the top of
the map and
measure ½ inch
marks
• Bring ruler
STRAIGHT
down and repeat
along the bottom
 Map Enlargement Project: Step #2

Using a ruler, draw lines

connecting the two hash
marks.
Map Enlargement Project: Step #3

Put hash marks

every ½” along
both the sides of
the page
Map Enlargement Project: Step #4

Using a ruler, connect the two hash

marks, forming a grid.
Map Enlargement Project: Step #5

Label the upper boxes

with numbers, label the
lower with letters.
 Make a 1 ½ Grid on a Large Sheet*
*If you are using a different map you may need to make 1 ¼ Inch Grids

• Use a yard stick to measure out marks at 1

½ inch increments in the same way you did
with your small map
• With other maps you will have to consider
if it can be enlarged 3x
 Place the Alpha/Numeric Scheme on the Big Sheet

To make your map

draw whatever is in
box in the small map
draw in the
corresponding box on
the big map
This is an exercise in
precession not fine
motor coordination