Ap Human Geography Study Guides

Define Map - ANS A map is a two dimensional or flat scale model of Earth's surface, or a portion of it What is the science of mapmaking called? - ANS The science of mapmaking is called cartography. What are the two purpose that maps serve? - ANS A map serves as a reference tool and a communication tool. Who first used the term "geography"? - ANS Eratosthenes is the first person of record to use the term "geography". What does the term "geography" mean? - ANS Geo means "Earth" while graphy means "to write" so geography is mapping the Earth. Examples of development in geography: Chinese - ANS Chinese man, Pei Xiu created an elaborate map of China in A.D. 267. Examples of development in geography: Muslims - ANS A Muslim geographer named Muhammad al- Idrrsi prepared a world map and a geography text in 1154. Examples of development in geography: Age of Discovery (16th Century) - ANS Abraham Orthelius created first modern atlas while German cartographer Martin Waldseemuller produced the first map with the label "America" Define Scale: - ANS Scale is the relationship between the portion of Earth being studied and Earth as a whole. What is the advantage of a map which shows only a small portion of the Earth's surface -like a neighborhood- that is, a large- scale map? - ANS The advantage is it would provide details about that particular place. The advantage does a map which shows the entire globe, a small-scale map, have? - ANS An entire globe map can effectively communicate processes and trends that affect everyone. List the four things that typically become distorted in various projections and explain the distortion. - ANS 1. The shape of the area can be distorted by appearing more elongated or squat than in reality. 2. The distance between two points may become increased or decreased. 3. The relative size of an area may be altered, so the one area may appear larger than another on a map but is in reality smaller. 4. The direction from one place to another can be distorted. Advantages and Disadvantages of the Mercator and Robinson. - ANS Advantages of Mercator: shape is distorted very little, direction is consistent , map is rectangular Disadvantages of Mercator: relative size is grossly distorted toward the poles, making high altitude places look larger Advantages for Robinson: useful for displaying information across the oceans Disadvantages for Robinson: land areas are much smaller than on other maps What place is designated as 0 degrees longitude? - ANS The Royal Observatory at Greenwich, England is 0 degrees longitude. What is that name for the line drawn at 0 degrees longitude? - ANS The name for the line at 0 degrees longitude is Prime Meridian.