Chapter 1 - Looking at the Earth Flashcards
The exact place on earth where a geographic feature is found.
Absolute Location
The study of the distribution and interaction of physical and human features on the earth.
Geography
Describes a place in relation to other places around it.
Relative Location
Each half of the globe.
Hemisphere
The imaginary line that encircles the globe, dividing the earth into northern and southern halves.
Equator
The imaginary line at zero meridian used to measure longitude east to west, and dividing the earth’s east and west halves; also called the Greenwich Meridian because it passes through Greenwich, England.
Prime Meridian
A set of imaginary lines that run parallel to the equator, and that are used in locating places north or south. The equator is labeled the zero-degree line for latitude.
Latitude (lines)
A set of imaginary lines that go around the earth over the poles, dividing it east and west. The prime meridian is labeled the zero-degree line for longitude.
Longitude (lines)
A three-dimensional representation of the earth.
Globe
A two-dimensional graphic representation of selected parts of the earth’s surface.
Map
A mapmaker
Cartographer
A way of mapping the earth’s surface that reduces distortion caused by converting three dimensions into two dimensions.
Map Projection
A general reference map; a representation of natural and man-made features on the earth.
Topographic Map
A series of satellites that orbit more than 100 miles above the earth. Each satellite picks up data in an area 115 miles wide.
Landsat
Technology that uses digital map information to create a databank; different “data layers” can be combined to produce specialized maps. GIS allows geographers to analyze different aspects of a specific place to solve problems.
Geographic Information System (GIS)
