Geography: Maps and Projections

• Mercator projection is often used for navigation charts because it gives true compass bearings between points.
• Physical geography deals with natural features and processes.
• Human geography deals with how human activity affects or is affected by the Earth's surface.

Types of Maps

• General purpose maps provide many types of information on one map (roads, parks).
• Thematic maps show information on one topic.
• Topographic maps use symbols to show features.
• A compass rose is a diagram on a map that shows cardinal directions and their intermediate points.
• A map is a representation of an area of land/sea, showing physical features.
• Direct statement scale expresses the relationship between distance on a map and corresponding distance on the Earth's surface.
• A map projection is a method for taking the curved surface of the earth and displaying it on something flat.
• Equal area projection maps show the correct size of countries in relation to one another.
• The Winkel triple projection was developed for standard world reference.

Grid Systems

• Alphanumeric grid systems use numbers and letters to find locations on a map.
• Military grid systems provide exact location information using letters and numbers within grid zones.
• Longitude and latitude pinpoint locations on the Earth's surface using imaginary lines.
• Longitude runs north-south and is measured east-west.
• Latitude runs east-west and is measured north-south.

Physical Geography Fields

• Three common fields of physical geography are ecology, oceanology, and climatology.

Biomes

• Chaparrals are scrubland ecosystems found in regions with hot dry summers and wet winters, for example, California.
• The two types of grassland biomes in the world are tropical and temperate.
• Tropical rainforests have high rainfall, high temperatures, and high biodiversity.
• Deserts receive less than 25cm of rain each year.

Daylight Savings Time

• Daylight saving time exists to make the most of the daylight hours and save energy.

Manitoba Eco Zones

• Boreal Plains: Forested, farming, and tourism.
• Boreal Shield: Mining, recreation, and trapping.
• Hudson Plains: Hunting, trapping, and recreation.
• Prairie: Agriculture, gas development, and oil.
• Taiga Shield: Thin soils, hunting, and mining.

Canadian Climate Regions

• The eight climate regions of Canada are: Arctic, Pacific Maritime, Cordilleran, Taiga, Boreal, Prairie, Southeastern, and Atlantic Maritime.

Landform Regions

• Canadian Shield: Mineral-rich, rocky, and forested.
• Rocky Mountains: Rugged, high peaks, wildlife.
• Coastal Lowlands: Flat, flood-prone, biodiverse.
• Western Plateaus: Elevated, canyons, mesas.