Basic Geography
What is a Political Map
Shows human-made boundaries and named places.
Look for:
• states and countries
• cities and capitals
• borders
What is a Landform?
Rocky Mountains, Great Plains, Appalachian Mountains
What is a climate?
the average weather of a place over a long time, usually 30 years or more
What is a region
a specific area of land or space that shares common features.
What is a site?
the exact physical and human-made characteristics of a specific location
What is a Physical Map
Shows what the land and water are like.
Look for:
• mountains and plains
• rivers and oceans
• elevation
Bodies Of Water
Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Mississippi River, Great Lakes, Gulf of Mexico
What is a resource?
anything that can be used to meet a need, solve a problem, or help achieve a goal
What is a Settlement?
any place where people live, build homes, and carry out everyday social and economic activities
How to evaluate settlements
WATER - Is it nearby?
RESOURCES - Food, forest, or land?
TRAVEL - Is there a road or coast?
SAFETY - Are there barriers or risks?
If I am trying to find a map with the Sandia Mountains on it, would I use a physical or Political map
Physical
What is the body of water called in New Mexico that flows through Texas?
Rio Grande River
What is the climate in New Mexico like?
mild, mostly arid or semiarid continental climate characterized by abundant sunshine and low humidity, though conditions change widely based on elevation
What does irrigation mean?
the artificial application of water to land or crops to help plants grow when there is not enough rain
What are some basic needs that you need for land
Water, food, shelter,
If I am taking a road trip to Texas from New Mexico what kind of map would I use?
Political Map
What is an example of a landform?
Rocky Mountains, Great Plains, Appalachian Mountains
What is an example of a natural resource?
Water, air, sunlight, plants, animals
What is the southwest like?
dry; dependable water is important.
What are challenges of finding land?
Not enough resources, limited space
Political is a map that shows roadways where as Physical shows mountains and rivers
What is the major landform called in Albuquerque
Sandia Mountains
What region utilizes the practice of farming the most?
The Midwest
What are the great plains like?
rich soil and water support farming.
What is the difference between a site and settlement?
site refers to the actual physical land features of the exact place where a settlement is built, while situation describes that settlement's location relative to surrounding human and physical features