Geographers typically do the following: Gather geographic data through field observations, maps, photographs, satellite imagery, and censuses. Conduct research via surveys, interviews, and focus groups.
Create and modify maps or other visual representations of geographic data. A globe is a model of the Earth, used to avoid distortions in spatial relations on the world. Maps of the world are distorted from trying to make a round object fit on a flat surface.
The globe is round, so it remains accurate. The globe provides an accurate scale of how far apart locations are. Global perspectives Question Answer How do geographers use tools to understand the world? Geographers use maps, graphs, and charts to see global patterns or changes.
Geography can help you develop valuable insights about the earth, its people and the relationship between them. Today, geomatics methods include spatial analysis, geographic information systems GIS , remote sensing, and global positioning systems GPS.
Using the Scientific Method in Geography. Introduction to Geographic Models. To understand the geography of past times and how geography has played important roles in the evolution of people, their ideas, places and environments. Geography is divided into two main branches: human geography and physical geography. There are additional branches in geography such as regional geography , cartography , and integrated geography.
These include cartography, GISs, geographic visualization, and spatial statistics. Geographers use GIS to find relationships and trends in geographic data. GIS allows them to present data visually as maps, reports, and charts.
A map is considered as the most important tool of a geographer. They show us a location of a place, village or a town. They also help us in showing physical features of the earth or the countries such as mountains, rivers etc. They also show the political boundaries of states, nations or the continents. Geographers study the locations of places and distributions of patterns of features by using maps, data and other geographic tools. Physical Systems. Geographers ask how events and ideas from one region of the world affect people in other regions to learn how people interact globally.
It is considered a social science because it studies people and the relationships among them. Why do geographers divide the world into regions? So they can study different sections of different countries, and compare them and their differences. GIS data collection hardware can be broken into three basic categories: digitizers, GPS units, and mobile devices.
A physical map. To properly understand places, geographers must. Cartography is the design, construction and evaluation of maps. When designed well, maps can be powerful communication tools. Which is the best description of qualitative data used by geographers? Personal descriptions of processes and events. Surveys about how often people visit other places. When using the system, geographers must look at a problem and decide what types of geographic information would help them solve the problem.
The information could include maps, aerial photographs, satellite images, or other data. Next, they select the appropriate layers of information. Then, GIS creates a composite map combining the information. Study the diagram on page 12 to learn more about the way GIS works. It was originally developed to help military forces know exactly where they were on the earth's surface. The system uses a series of 24 satellites called Navstars, which beam information to the earth.
The exact position— latitude, longitude , altitude, and time—is displayed on a hand—held receiver. Hikers, explorers, sailors, and drivers use GPS devices to determine location.
They are also used to track animals. Geographers use a variety of other tools including photographs, cross sections, models, cartograms , and population pyramids. These tools help geographers to visualize and display information for analysis. They are looking for patterns and connections in the data they find.
You will learn how to use these tools in the Geography Skills Handbook, which follows, and in the Map and Graph Skills pages in this book. Global Positioning Systems help you navigate by feeding you detailed information about your position and the geographical context nearby. Aside from maps, this may be the geography tool you are most familiar with. GIS is a database of geographic information consistently updated by academic, business and military sources, while Global Directional Systems help navigate from a database rather than live satellite feed.
Geographers use all three systems to help them access what is already known about the Earth to help with ongoing research. Until the middle of the 20th century, geographers had to make maps based on observations and measurements taken on the ground.
With the invention of reliable air travel, and later of satellite imaging, geographers can now draw maps and make observations based on photos taken from the same perspective as a map of the area. Modern technology allows geographers to use remote images that record information beyond the visible spectrum, such as magnetic activity, infrared temperature and subterranean water levels. Beverlee Brick began writing professionally in , contributing to various websites.
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