Ch 1 sec 4

Study and collection of facts about the earth and its features as well as about the activities of people on the earth

How do Geographers collect data?

1. Direct observation2. Aerial photographs

3. Global Positioning System

4. Census

• Cartography – the art of making maps

• Shows the earth as accurately as possible

• Flat representation of the earth• Cannot accurately display the curved surface

of the earth

Types of Maps

1. Mercator projection• More accurate at the equator than at the

poles• A conformal map – shapes look like the shapes

on a globe

2. Mollweide projection• Equal area map – correct size of landmasses,

but distorts shape

3. Robinson projection • Shows areas and distances with a high degree

of accuracy

4. Azimuthal Projection• Shows true compass directions

Technology