1.6: Review and Additional Resources

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Review

GIS technician — Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\)

Start with the "Important Terms and Concepts" to ensure you know the terminology related to the topic of the chapter and concepts discussed. Finally, test your overall understanding by taking the "Self-assessment quiz".

Important Terms and Concepts

Geography

the study of the distributions and interrelationships of earth phenomena
Spatial science

how geographers describe their discipline. Geographers are concerned with answering questions about how and why phenomena vary across the surface of the Earth
Location

"the position in space" of something
Place

“... the human and natural phenomena that give a location its unique character ...” (Gershmel, 2009)
Spatial Pattern

the arrangement or patterns of earth phenomena
Spatial Interaction

how elements of the earth system interact with one another to create geographic patterns
Human Geography

spatial aspects of human activities and culture
Physical Geography

the geographical attributes of the natural environment
Continuum of Geography

illustrated by diagram:

The Continuum of Geography
Hypothesis

an educated guess
Theory

a hypothesis or group of hypotheses that has been validated through repeated experiments and coming to the same conclusion
Maps

the fundamental tool of the geographer. With a map, one can illustrate the spatial distribution of almost any kind of phenomena.
Spatial data

the information collected to create a map
Qualitative map data

in the form of a quality and expresses the presence or absence of the subject on a map, like the kind of vegetation present occupying a region
Quantitative map data

expressed as a numerical value, like elevation in meters, or temperature is degrees celsius
Choropleth map

uses color to show variations in quantity, density, percent, etc. within a defined geographic area
Dasymetric map

employs special statistical methods and extra information to combine areas of similar values to depict geographic patterns on the map
Isarithmic map

uses isolines, lines that connect equal values, to illustrate continuous data such as elevation, air pressure, and precipitation
Topographic Map

use contour lines to show elevation
index contour

The heavy brown contour lines with the elevation printed on them
Intermediate contour

the lighter brown lines between index contours
supplemental contour

used in areas of very low relief
Benchmark

locations where the elevation has been surveyed. Benchmarks are denoted on a map with the letters "BM", "X" or a triangle with the elevation printed beside
graduated circle map

a way of depicting geographic information on a map
Dot map

use dots to illustrate the presence of the phenomenon on a map
Isoline

a line that connects points of equal value
Contour line

on topographic map, connect points of equal elevation
Isobar

used to show the distribution of air pressure
gradient

the change that occurs over a given distance
Reference Map

Reference or navigational maps are created to help you navigate over the earth surface
Thematic Map

used to communicate geographic concepts like the distribution of densities, spatial relationships, magnitudes, movements etc.
Map Projection

a method of portraying the curved surface of the Earth on a flat planar surface of a map
Map Scale

the relationship between distance on a map and distance in the real world
Large scale map

show a smaller area in great detail
Small scale map

have the least detail but show large areas
Air Photograph

provide us with a real world view of the earth’s surface
Remote Sensing

used via satellites to get a much larger view of the earth’s surface features. As the satellite scans the ground, it transmits this information to earth-based receivers.
Geographic Information System

a computer-based technology that enters, analyzes, manipulates, and displays geographic information.
Models

a representation of a real thing
Statistic

a quantity that is computed from a sample of data.
Graph

a visual way to portray the relationship between a set of variables.
Global Positioning System

consists of three parts: 1) Earth orbiting satellites, 2) control and monitoring stations across the Earth, and 3) GPS receivers owned by individuals.
Latitude and Longitude

Latitude and longitude comprises a grid system of lines encircling the globe and is used to determine the locations of points on the earth
Prime meridian

0^o longitude
Great Circle

If you pass a plane through the center of a sphere, the intersection of the plane and the surface of the sphere creates this
Small Circle

Created by planes passing through any part of a sphere without going through the center.
Universal Transverse Mercator Grid (UTM)

a plane coordinate grid system named for the map projection on which it is based
Geographical Zones

Geographers continue to use latitudinal variation of climate characteristics as a way of dividing the Earth into fairly homogeneous geographical zones.
Greenwich mean time (GMT)

the global standard for reporting time. It uses the 24-hour time (military) notation based on the local standard time at the prime meridian of 0^o longitude. Midnight corresponds to 00:00 UTC and noon to 12:00 UTC
Universal Coordinated Time (UTC)

GMT is now referred to as Universal Time Coordinated (UTC) or Coordinated Universal Time but the prime meridian is still the reference for standard time.
International Date Line

an imaginary line the separates one day from another
Daylight saving time

the practice of setting clocks forward one hour in the spring and back one hour in the fall

Additional Readings and Resources

Use these links to further explore the world of geography.

Interactivities

Contour drawing - practice drawing contour line from VisualEntities

Contour Analysis - practice drawing isotherms (from WeatherWise)

Studying Oceans from Space (NASA)

Multimedia

USGS Public Lecture Series: "Science Through Imagery" (April, 2009) Description from the site: "Knee-high to Bird's Eye: Multi-scale Remote Sensing of Vegetation Dynamics. Dr. John Jones, an expert in remote sensing, discusses several projects in the Shenandoah National Park and the Everglades. Learn how science from satellites can help decision-makers address issues related to climate change, water resources, and habitat conditions."

"Careers in Geoscience" - (AGI) from the Site "The Careers for Geoscientists video introduces the breadth of scope of the geosciences, including atmosphere, oceans, and the solid-Earth. Through interviews with individual practicing geoscientists discussing current projects, the nature of a career working in the geosciences is revealed. A discussion of the opportunities and adventures of travel, working outdoors, and using state-of-the-art technology is presented through this rare glimpse into the work-a-day world of geoscientists."

"Using Space Technology to Understand Earthquakes" (NASA JPL Lecture series)

"Laser Mapping Technology Gives New Glimpse of Earth" (NPR) Dec. 28, 2004 All Things Considered report on airborne LIDAR.

"Mapping Technology Helps Direct Tsunami Aid Efforts" (NPR) Dec. 29, 2004 All Things Considered report on LandScan mapping technology.

"Mapping Shuttle Debris" (NPR) Feb. 11, 2003 Morning Edition report on the use of GPS to map the debris field of the space shuttle Columbia.

"One Earth, Many Scales: Lost in Space? Geography Training for Astronauts" The Power of Place (Annenberg Media) Preparation for a NASA Shuttle mission provides context for introducing key issues in physical geography and human-environmental interaction. (First segment of program - 11:50) (Windows Media Player required) Go to the Power of Place site and scroll to "One Earth, Many Scales: Lost in Space? Geography Training for Astronauts"