Thinking Like
a Geographer
a Geographer
What term means "The alteration of size, shape, distance, or direction when Earth is shown on a flat map"?
Map Distortion
Vocabulary matching: What is a "special purpose map"? (One-sentence definition.)
A map designed to display one topic or pattern (e.g., population, climate)
Vocabulary matching: Which term means "An area defined by one or more measurable traits shared throughout it/can be proven"?
Formal region
Vocabulary matching: What does "topography" refer to?
Shape, elevation, and surface features of the land.
Vocabulary matching: What is a "biome"?
A large ecological region defined by climate, vegetation (plants), and wildlife.
Fill in the blank: Lines that measure distance north or south of the Equator are called _______.
Latitude
Fill in the blank: The line at 0 degrees longitude is the _______.
The Prime Meridian
Fill in the blank:
Language, religion, and trade networks are examples of _______ factors that help define regions.
Cultural (or human) factors
Fill in the blank: The solid outer part of Earth, including the crust, is the _______.
Lithosphere
Fill in the blank:
The effect that occurs when a mountain forces air upward, producing precipitation on one side and dry conditions on the other, is called the _______ effect
Orographic/Rain Shadow
Multiple choice: Which map would best help a traveler identify mountain ranges and rivers?
A. Political C. Election-results
B. Physical D. Population-density
B. Physical
Which projection is commonly used for navigation/sailing because it preserves direction?
A. Mercator B. Robinson
C. Azimuthal (pole-centered) D. Street map
A. Mercator
Multiple choice: A metropolitan area organized around a major city and its transportation network is best classified as a
A. formal region C. perceptual region
B. functional region D. physical factor
B. functional region
Multiple choice: Which physical process most directly explains the formation of the Hawaiian Islands?
A. River erosion C. Soil-building
B. Volcanic activity D. Glacial deposition
B. Volcanic activity
Multiple choice: Why can two places at similar latitudes have different climates?
A. Latitude is the only influence on climate.
B. Elevation, winds, ocean currents, and continental position also affect climate.
C. Climate depends only on population size.
D. Longitude determines all precipitation.
B. Elevation, winds, ocean currents, and continental position also affect climate.
*Daily Double*
Define "perceptual region" and give one example of a perceptual region
Region based on beliefs/opinions/"perceptions"
-Bible Belt, Corn Belt, the South, the Midwest
The tendency of a map to distort reality, reflect the creator's personal views, or show favoritism toward certain regions is called what?
Map bias
Short answer: Define "functional region" and give a local example (e.g., your city and commuter patterns).
Functional region is organized around a central node with connections
(example: Highways, train systems, NYC subway.
Short answer: What is erosion and how does it differ from weathering?
Weathering: breaking down of rock in place
Erosion: movement of weathered materials by wind, water, or ice.
Short answer: Which action would most directly improve a coastal city's resilience to hurricanes?
Build stronger infrastructure (buildings/roads/pipes) and practice evacuation plans (example: elevated seawalls + evacuation routes reduces loss of life and damage).
Describe one way map projection distortion can influence a person's understanding of the world. Use size, shape, distance, or direction in your explanation.
All maps are distorted. Earth is a sphere, maps are flat. This can affect people because the maps they are looking at is wrong. They can believe that the Earth is bigger/smaller than it is, continents/oceans are bigger/smaller than they are.
Name the system used to locate places by degrees; north or south, and east or west
LATITUDE & LONGITUDE
Open response:
Explain the difference between a formal region and a perceptual region; include one clear example for each.
Formal region: defined by measurable traits (e.g., a country, Mexico, Texas).
Perceptual region: defined by people’s feelings (e.g., "the South"
Open response: Compare how a convergent boundary and a divergent boundary shape Earth's surface.
Include one landform that results from each boundary type
Convergent boundary: plates collide, forming mountains or volcanic arcs (example: mountains/volcanoes.
Divergent boundary: plates pull apart, creating mid-ocean ridges or rift valleys (example: ridges/valleys).
Draw an example of the orographic/rain shadow effect, make sure to label the windward/leeward side.