Transcript Unit 1 - Lee County Schools

6th Grade UBD - Unit 1 - Places Regions and People

Types of Maps- There are many types of maps, and they all convey
different kinds of information about places. Maps are used to
organize and convey information in a quick and readily available
way.

Defining Regions- Geographers group sets of places into regions
based on shared geographic characteristics. By grouping sets
of places with shared characteristics together, geographers can
identify and understand patterns and easily compare different
locations.

Imagine that you and your family
are driving across the country. The
car you are driving is older and has
trouble climbing mountain roads,
so your parents want to avoid
driving through mountainous
areas as much as possible. How
would you know which routes to
take? (5 minutes)

Work with a
neighbor and
compare your
answer with theirs.
What things are
the same and what
things are
different? (3
minutes)

Maps are among geographers’ most important tools. Geographers
use maps to answer questions, solve problems, and make
comparisons, because maps provide details about a place quickly
and easily through visual representations.

The three main types of maps are physical maps, political maps,
and thematic (or special purpose) maps. Almost all maps include
some type of legend, or key, that explains what the various
symbols, colors, and lines on a map mean.

Maps are designed to highlight
information about specific
locations.

A map is a diagram that visually
represents a place on Earth.

There are many different kinds
of maps, and they are all used
to show different kinds of
information.

Cartographers are the
people who make maps.

Cartographers use
different colors to
visually represent the
physical features that are
being mapped.
Key Term
Cartographer- A
person who
makes maps.
Reading Handout- Take A Map

A physical map shows the
physical features of an area.

It also provides readers with
information about the
topography, or the height, depth,
and shape, of these features.

Physical maps identify
mountains, deserts, bodies of
water, and other landforms.

Because color can be used
differently in various maps, it is
always important to look at
the map key to make sure you
understand the information you
are reading.

The map key is a box or list
found in the corner or on the
side of a map. It explains the
map symbols.
Key Term
Physical Map- A
type of map that
shows landforms
and bodies of
water found in
the area -shows
the earth's
natural features.

Political maps are another
common type of map.

Political maps identify political
boundaries between places.

A political boundary is the
dividing line that separates
neighboring areas controlled by
different governments or
groups.

Political boundaries
sometimes correspond to
natural geographic boundaries
like mountains or rivers.

Most often, though, political
boundaries are imaginary lines
decided by those who hold
political power.

Without political maps, you
might not know where most
of the dividing lines fall
between cities, states, or
even different countries.

Knowing where political
borders are is very
important.

Political borders also determine
who controls the natural resources
of an area, such as oil deposits and
waterways.

Throughout history, people have
argued over political borders.

Territorial disputes often arise
when borders have never been
spelled out clearly.
Key Term
Political Map- A
map that shows
all the boundaries
of nations and
other political
units.

Thematic maps show
information related to a certain
theme or subject.

Such maps are very useful
because they can provide
details about a place quickly
and easily through visual
representations rather than
words.

The information presented
on thematic maps can relate
to either physical
geography—the physical
features of Earth—or human
geography—the ways that
people interact with the
environment.

Thematic maps show information about a specific theme or
subject. They are also sometimes called special-purpose maps.

Climate maps, vegetation maps, and population
density maps are examples of thematic maps.

Thematic maps can be used to help draw conclusions about a
particular place, or to compare different locations with one
another.
Key Term
Thematic MapShow information
related to a
certain theme or
subject.
Classroom Activity- Reading Maps

Dividing the world into regions helps geographers organize
information and identify patterns.

Physical regions are defined by physical geography
characteristics like landforms and bodies of water.

Cultural regions are defined by human characteristics like
religion, language, political borders, and economic industries.

There are many different ways to divide the world and smaller
areas into regions.

A region is a group of nearby
places that all share certain
characteristics.

These shared characteristics
could be physical geography
features such as similar
climate, vegetation, or
landforms.

A region can also be
defined by human and
cultural features, such as
major industries, ethnic
populations, languages
spoken, or religions
practiced.

Physical regions are defined by
having similar landforms or other
physical characteristics.

For instance, there are
mountainous regions, costal
regions, and river valley regions.

There are regions that share a
cold, icy climate, and others that
are united by a hot, dry climate.

Cultural regions are defined by
human characteristics rather than
physical characteristics.

National borders and other
political divisions, economic
trends or industrial activities,
languages spoken, types of
religion, and ethnic heritage are
all examples of cultural regions.
Video- Regions

What has been the
“muddiest” point so far in
this lesson? That is, what
topic remains the least
clear to you? (4 minutes)

Work with a
neighbor and
compare your
muddiest point with
theirs. Compare
what things are the
same and what
things are different?
(3 minutes)