Tools used in geography include maps, globes, GPS, remote sensing, and GIS. Maps show physical features and are printed on paper, while globes model the spherical earth accurately. GPS uses satellite distances to determine position. Remote sensing studies objects from afar using tools like aerial photography. GIS digitally analyzes and displays geographic data, allowing overlay of different data layers.

1. Geography Basics

2. Tools of Geography
• Maps
• Globes
• Global Positioning Satellites (GPS)
• Remote Sensing
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

3. Maps
• A map is a diagrammatic representation of an
area of land or sea showing physical features,
cities, roads, etc.
• Maps are usually printed on paper and are still
relevant today as they are more easily produced
and much harder to completely destroy than
computers or mobile devices.
• If you drop a paper map on a rock it’s just fine
but if you drop your phone out of your pocket it’s
liable to break.

4. Parts of a map
•Legend
•Scale Bar
•Compass Rose

5. Latitude and Longitude
• Grid system used to organize the earth
• The vertical lines are longitute
• The horizontal lines are latitude (think of Ladders)

6. Coordinate System
• We use longitude and latitude to reference
the position of things on the planet with a
coordinate system.
• Earth is divided into four hemispheres;
East, West, North, and South.
• Coordinates written with latitude first
• e.g. 34N 117W (San Bernardino)

7. Globes
• We use globes to chart the earth more
accurately than maps
• Cannot flatten out a sphere
• Useful when trying to look at things on a
global scale

8. GPS
• GPS refers to a
network of
satellites in orbit
around the earth
• Uses the
distances
between more
than one satellite
to calculate your
position on the
globe

9. Remote Sensing
• The study of an object or surface from a
distance by using various instruments
• This includes: Aerial photographs, color
and color infrared sensing, thermal
infrared sensing, microwave sensing,
radar, sonar, multispectral, and SPOT
imagery

10. GIS
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are automated systems for
the capture, storage, retrieval, analysis, and display of spatial data.
• Uses both computer hardware and software to analyze geographic
location and handle spatial data.
• Virtually, libraries of information that use maps instead of alphabet
to organize and store data.
• Allows data management by linking tabular data (spreadsheets) and
maps.
• Mainly used in overlay analysis, where two or more layers of data
are superimposed or integrated.
• First uses were in surveying, photogrammetry, computer
cartography, spatial statistics, and remote sensing; now being used
in all forms of geographic analysis, and bringing a new and more
complete perspective to resource management, environmental
monitoring, and environmental site assessment.