Geography Cheatsheet
Geographic Concepts
- Latitude and Longitude: Measured in degrees, latitude refers to the distance north or south of the equator, while longitude refers to the distance east or west of the prime meridian.
- Topography: The study of the shape and features of the Earth’s surface, including mountains, valleys, and bodies of water.
- Climate: The long-term patterns of temperature, precipitation, and other weather conditions in a particular area.
- Biomes: Large regions of the world with similar climate, flora, and fauna, such as deserts, grasslands, and forests.
- Ecosystems: The interactions between living organisms and their physical environment, including biotic and abiotic factors.
- Natural Hazards: Natural phenomena that can cause harm to people, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and wildfires.
- Maps: Two-dimensional representations of the Earth’s surface, usually showing political boundaries, physical features, and other geographic information.
- Globes: Three-dimensional models of the Earth’s surface that accurately represent the planet’s shape and size.
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS): Computer-based tools for capturing, storing, analyzing, and displaying geographic data.
- Remote Sensing: The use of satellites and other technologies to gather information about the Earth’s surface from a distance.
- Global Positioning System (GPS): A network of satellites that provide location and time information to GPS receivers.
- Compass: A tool that uses the Earth’s magnetic field to determine direction.
Geographic Techniques
- Cartography: The art and science of making maps.
- Spatial Analysis: The study of patterns and relationships between geographic features using statistical methods and other techniques.
- Fieldwork: The collection of geographic data through direct observation and measurement in the field.
- Surveying: The measurement and mapping of the Earth’s surface, usually to determine property boundaries or to create topographic maps.
- Data Collection: The gathering of information about geographic features using various tools and methods.
- Data Visualization: The use of charts, graphs, and other visual tools to represent geographic data.
Physical Geography
- Geomorphology: The study of the Earth’s landforms and the processes that shape them.
- Hydrology: The study of water on the Earth’s surface, including rivers, lakes, and groundwater.
- Climatology: The study of climate and its long-term patterns.
- Biogeography: The study of the distribution of plants and animals across the Earth’s surface.
- Pedology: The study of soils and their properties.
- Oceanography: The study of the Earth’s oceans and their physical and biological properties.
Human Geography
- Cultural Geography: The study of the distribution of human cultures across the Earth’s surface.
- Economic Geography: The study of the distribution of economic activity across the Earth’s surface.
- Political Geography: The study of the distribution of political systems and their boundaries across the Earth’s surface.
- Population Geography: The study of the distribution of human populations across the Earth’s surface.
- Urban Geography: The study of cities and the processes that shape them.
- Tourism Geography: The study of the geographic patterns and impacts of tourism.
Resources
- National Geographic: A popular magazine and website that covers a wide range of geographic topics.
- United Nations Environment Programme: A global organization that works to protect the environment and promote sustainable development.
- Geography Realm: A website that provides news and resources for geography educators and students.
- Geography Education: A website that provides resources for geography teachers, including lesson plans and activities.