World Geography with Globes, World Maps, Queries
World Geography Inquiry – Great Questions, Cartography and Globes
Aug 17, 2009
Teachers and students may see the same things differently, but when all are on the same page, and learning together — that is joy beyond belief. Whether a person is an explorer or not, inquiry and queries help form a clearer and better picture. For the novice, geography can be likened to a game of hide and seek — everything is there, but "hidden" among so much. Geography works when there is capture and lock down of the big items first: continents, oceans, and major physical relationships and positions among these prominent features. Next, comes the "seeing" of major seas, big island groups, unique mountain ranges, major lakes and related aspects such as capitals and major cities.
Geography — Imagining, Connecting, Stretching Minds Internationally on Sea and Land
Regardless of what one teaches or learns, it is easy to get into ruts, sometimes deep ruts. Whether it is a vehicle, or thinking process, a good tow, strong and early, — by chain, rope or new ideas — helps to move things along. Rutted, long-entrenched vehicles, or ideas, can rust, fall into disrepair and demise.
Geography affords many opportunities for imaginative, innovative and challenging thinking. To start rolling up and onward, consider the following:
- If 70% of the earth's surface is water, which 5 bodies of water on the planet would account for the majority of this area when a world map or globe?
- What are continents and how many are there?
- Greenland is much bigger than the Kingdom of what country that Greenland is associated with?Where is Greenland, and is it a continent?
- Totally surrounded by water, this continent is known as "the land down under." What place is this and why is "down under" used in the description?
- The International Date Line serves what purpose, and runs right between which two land masses?
- The China Sea is divided into how many types of China Seas?
- Which one of the following capitals is closest to the Artic Circle: Oslo, Helsinki, Reykiavik, Copenhagen, Stockholm.
- Each one of the following countries borders the ocean. Which country in the list is the longest and narrowest? Venezuela, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Paraguay.
- Which country does not border the Mediterranean Sea? Turkey, Spain, Italy, Libya, Sudan.
- Which body of water is out of order as one sails eastward? Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, China, Sea, Sea of Japan, Yellow Sea.
- A place that has no land north of the Artic Circle is: Alaska, Russia, Iceland, Greenland, Norway.
Using Flat Maps and Globes, Both Are Important for Understanding
The combined use of both a globe and world map is helpful and important. Each serves unique purposes. Compared to a globe, a world map:
- is less cramped, clustered and is easier to see, interpret, and understand.
- faciltates quick, time-saving, and rapid location and identifications.
- does not represent Antartica and Artica well or realistically.
- distorts relationships somewhat.
In contrast, globes:
- represent the earth more realistically.
- show geographic relationships well in all four directions — north, south, east and west.
- show topology relationships with mountain ranges.
- shows tilt, spin and proportional distances of places extremely well.
Choosing World Maps and Globes for Classroom and Personal Use
Globes and maps should have the following features:
- distinct, defined topological relief features that permit feeling and sensing mountains and elevations.
- clear, distinct lettering.
- sufficient size for the data: 12-14 ins. (30-36 cm) globes minimally, and flat world maps at least 2 x 3 ft. (aproximately, 0.7 - 1 m.).
Get ready, open up the world map, spin the globe and head off for real global adventures,or travel by DVD or videos, at home. Geography and the world is one big trip!
See also novel geography and globes and flat map combos.
Resources
Davis, K.C. 1992. Don't Know Much About Geography. William Morrow and Company, Inc., New York, N.Y. 384 pp
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