Maps unit notes

key questions:

• how do geographers describe where things are?
• why is each point on earth unique?
• why are different places similar?
• why are some human actions not sustainable?

1.1.1: explains the differences between early maps and contemporary ones
1.1.2: describes the role of map scale and projections and making maps(cartography)
1.1.3: explain how latitude and longitude are used to locate points on earth's surface

• geography is the study of where things are found on the earth's surface and the reasons for the location
• two simple questions: where are people and activities found on earth? why are they found there?
• maps are flat scale models of the earth's surface
• cartography is the science of mapmaking
• two purposes: a tool to identify an object absolute and relative location, a tool to convey the distribution of human activities or physical features
• earliest maps were reference tools
• first world map prepared by Eratosthenes(279-194 BC)
• improvement to world map later made by Ptolemy
• advancements in cartography primarily made outside of Europe by Chinese and Islamic world
• mapmaking revived during the age of exploration and discovery