Geography Fundamentals

Cartography

• Study of creating and interpreting maps
• Involves:
  • Map projections: transforming 3D Earth to 2D representation
  • Map scales: representing large areas in a smaller format
  • Cartographic symbols: using signs and colors to represent features
• Types of maps:
  • Topographic maps: show relief and elevation
  • Thematic maps: display specific data or information
  • Atlas maps: collections of maps bound together

Natural Resources

• Renewable resources:
  • Water
  • Soil
  • Forests
  • Wildlife
• Non-renewable resources:
  • Fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas)
  • Minerals
  • Metals
• Factors affecting natural resource distribution:
  • Climate
  • Geology
  • Topography
  • Human activity

Human Settlements

• Types of settlements:
  • Rural: dispersed, agricultural-based
  • Urban: concentrated, industrial-based
  • Suburban: intermediate, residential-based
• Factors influencing settlement patterns:
  • Accessibility
  • Climate
  • Topography
  • Economic opportunities
• Urbanization: process of population shift from rural to urban areas

Climate Zones

• Classification based on:
  • Temperature
  • Precipitation
  • Latitude
• Types of climate zones:
  • Tropical
  • Desert
  • Temperate
  • Polar
  • Alpine
• Climate zones influence:
  • Vegetation
  • Agriculture
  • Human settlement patterns

Geography Types

• Physical geography:
  • Study of natural environment
  • Focus on landforms, climate, and natural resources
• Human geography:
  • Study of human populations and activities
  • Focus on cultural, economic, and social aspects
• Branches of geography:
  • Urban geography
  • Economic geography
  • Cultural geography
  • Environmental geography