What is geography?
Why is human geography important for understanding current global issues?
Because issues like migration, economic inequality, climate change, and urbanization involve human spatial patterns.
What is a map legend? A map scale? A compass rose?
-part of a map explains what symbols, colors, and lines represent.
-shows the relationship between distance on a map and actual distance on Earth.
-shows direction, including north, south, east, and west.
What is the difference between absolute and relative location? Provide one example of each.
Absolute = exact coordinates. Relative = described in relation to another place.
What causes the Earth’s seasons?
Earth’s 23.5° axial tilt.
What does GDP measure?
Total value of goods and services produced in a country.
Explain the difference between human geography and physical geography, and give one example of each.
Human geography studies people and their activities (culture, economy, politics).
Physical geography studies natural features and processes (climate, landforms, ecosystems).
What is ArcGIS, and how is it different from simply looking at a map?
It’s GIS software that layers and analyzes spatial data to find patterns.
Which one measures east to west?
longitude
What is the relationship between temperature and elevation?
What is GDP per capita? Why is it useful?
GDP divided by population, shows average wealth per person and standard of living
How did Dr. John Snow use maps to stop the cholera outbreak?
Mapped cases and identified contaminated water pump.
Why do all map projections have distortion?
Because the Earth is a sphere and maps are flat.
3D object--> 2D map causes distortion
The US is in which hemispheres?
North and West
Why is the Equator important for understanding global climate patterns?
It receives the most direct sunlight year-round.
This concept focuses on meeting present needs without limiting future generations’ ability to meet theirs.
balances equity and economics with the environment
Using ESPN, explain how a drought could affect a region.
Economic (crop loss), Social (migration), Political (water policy), Environmental (ecosystem damage).
Name three situations a thematic map could be used for
Showing income, disease, voting patterns, climate zones, etc.
where the lines are close together
Why does latitude affect temperature more than longitude does?
Latitude determines sun angle and solar intensity.
Give one limitation of GDP as a measure of well-being.
Doesn’t show inequality, environment, happiness, etc.
Using the ESPN framework, explain how climate change in Minnesota affects the state
Economic: Crop damage, insurance costs, infrastructure repairs, impact on winter tourism
Social: Health risks from heat waves, displacement from flooding, community stress, changing traditions and routines
Political: Debates over AI datacenters and policy, infrastructure spending, environmental regulation
Environmental: Loss of biodiversity, warmer lakes, increased flooding, ecosystem shifts
Why does map distortion matter in the real world?
It can misrepresent size, power, importance, or distance.
example: Africa looks smaller than Greenland on some maps because of distortion but it is the second largest continent
Plot the points on the graph
N E S W
Name 3 impacts of climate change in Minnesota (direct or indirect)
Warmer winters and reduced ice cover
(Shorter ice fishing season, less lake ice, impacts on winter recreation and ecosystems.)
Increased heavy rainfall and flooding
(More intense storms leading to river flooding and infrastructure damage.)
Changes to agriculture and growing seasons
(Longer growing seasons, but also more crop stress from extreme weather, pests, and drought.)
IMPACTS ON MAPLE SYRUP, WILD RICE, FARMERS, AND MORE
Do an ESPN review of a current events topic