ANALYZING MAPS Analyzing Maps Objective Students will be

ANALYZING MAPS

Analyzing Maps Objective: Students will be able to use the 5 themes of geography to interpret cultural implications of physical features � Process: � �Mr. Parsons will model for you while you take notes �Then, on your own blank maps you will label cultural implications and justify your answers

Temperature and Precipitation � Temperature �Consider comfort ○ (h/e int. , place, region) �Consider growing seasons ○ (h/e int. , place, region) � Precipitation �Consider ability to grow crops ○ (h/e int. , place, region) �Consider natural vegetation ○ (h/e int. , movement)

Temp. and Precipitation

Based on the map… � Sparsely populated in the subarctic/artic or very cold regions �Too cold for comfort, too short of a growing season, limited natural food � Sparsely populated in the hot dry and mixed dry regions �Too hot for comfort, too dry for extensive farming, limited natural food

Based on the map… � Heavily populated in the marine and mixed humid regions �Comfortable temperture, long growing seaon, abundant natural food � Not immediately populated in the hot humid region �Natural vegetation would be lush, tropical plants-hard to move through or change into farmland

Elevation � Higher elevation=harder to get to �Harder to walk up hill than on level ground ○ (movement) � Higher elevation=colder �Mountain tops much colder than valleys ○ (h/e int. , place, region) � Higher elevation=more precipitation (usually as snow) �Can’t grow crops in snow ○ (h/e int. )

Elevation continued… � Mountains are rocky and sloped �Conditions aren’t optimal for agriculture ○ (h/e int. , place, region, movement) � Mountains are usually rich in resources �Timber, minerals, stone ○ (h/e int. )

Elevation

Based on the map… � The western region of the continent would be very isolated from the rest �A lot of mountains would be hard to move through � The western region would have abundant natural resources �The mountains will likely contain minerals and timber � The middle of the continent and the east would be useful farmland �This region is flat and not greatly varied

Rivers � Ease of movement �Large loads are easier to move because of the effects of buoyancy ○ (movement) � Ability to irrigate �A backup if there is little rain ○ (h/e int. ) � Natural food resources �Fish/wild game/wild plants ○ (h/e int. , place)

Oceans � Ease of movement �Same idea as rivers, but oceans/seas have access to more locations ○ (movement) � Climate �Large bodies of water keep climate stable— usually humid ○ (place, region, h/e int. ) � Natural food resources �Even more than rivers ○ (place, h/e int. , region)

Major Rivers

Based on the map… � Expect cities up and down the river banks �Goods can travel on the water easier � Expect large cities at the confluences of rivers �At these points, goods and people can go multiple directions

Based on the map… � Expect massive port cities where rivers flow into the ocean �Here, people will gather from around the world to trade because goods can be transported inland from the harbor �These cities would be cultural hubs because of the diversity of the people gathering here

All Three

Remember… � Consider multiple factors when determining likely human characteristics � A place might have an ideal temperature, but rough terrain