World Maps, Time Zones, and Climate Patterns

World Maps and Time Zones

• World maps visualize Earth's surface, showing continents, oceans, and poles.
• Maps include a compass rose for directions (north, south, east, west).
• Oceans cover approximately 70% of Earth's surface.
• Time zones exist because Earth is round, allowing different locations to have different times.
• Determining if a time zone is earlier or later involves checking its position east or west on a map.

Climate Patterns

• Climate is a long-term weather pattern in a specific area.
• Factors influencing climate include temperature, humidity, distance from water bodies, wind, precipitation, topography, latitude, and elevation.
• Key climate types are tropical, dry, mild, continental, and polar.

The Gulf Stream

• The Gulf Stream is a warm ocean current originating in Florida.
• It flows north along the East Coast of North America, then eastward across the North Atlantic.
• The North Atlantic Drift, a part of the Gulf Stream, warms European countries.
• Gulf Stream's impact extends to worldwide ocean currents influencing global climate.
• The Gulf Stream regulates the climate of the North Atlantic.
• Potential slowing or halt of the Gulf Stream could lead to a decrease in the warming of Northern Europe.

European Exploration

• European exploration began around 500 years ago, led initially by Portugal and Spain.
• These explorers navigated oceans, colonizing regions of the Americas, Asia, and Africa.
• France and Britain later joined the exploration efforts.
• Spain, at first, controlled much of the wealth gained through gold and silver.
• The wealth from colonies spread across Europe, influencing trade and banking systems in Northern Europe.
• Competition for new lands and resources spurred exploration.

Columbus's Voyage

• Christopher Columbus's voyage in 1492 introduced Europe and the Americas.
• His voyages were financed by Spain, who then controlled the new territory.
• He made the voyage four times in total, taking little over a month each time.
• He is credited with the discovery of the Americas from a European perspective

Balboa's Expeditions

• Vasco Núñez de Balboa, a Spanish conquistador, founded a European settlement in South America (Santa María de la Antigua).
• He discovered the Pacific Ocean near the Isthmus of Panama.
• Balboa's actions toward Native Americans were problematic.
• His relationship with Spanish leadership was problematic.
• He was killed just a short time after discovering the Pacific Ocean.