Lecture outline for chapter 1 "The Foundations of Geography"

The Science of Geography:

• geography
• location
• place
• movement
• region
• human-earth relationships
• spatial analysis
• process
• physical geography

Earth's Systems Concepts
Physical Geography, Systems Theory Links

Systems Theory

• system
• open system
• closed system
  
• Feedback
• feedback loops
• positive feedback
• negative feedback
  
• Equilibrium
• steadystate equilibrium
• dynamic equilibrium

Models of Systems

Earth As A System

• Earth's Energy Equilibrium:
• An Open System
• Earth's Physical Matter:
• A Closed System

Earth's Four Spheres

• Atmosphere
• Hydrosphere
• Lithosphere
• Biosphere
  
• abiotic vs. biotic
• ecosphere

A Spherical Planet

• geodesy
• geoid

Location on Earth

• Latitude
• parallel
• Latitudinal Geographic Zones
  
• Longitude
• meridian
• prime meridian

Time on earth

• Prime Meridian and Standard Time
• Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
• International Date Line
• Coordinated Universal Time
• Coordinated Universal Time
• Daylight Saving Time

Great Circles and Small Circles

• great circle
• small circle

Maps, Scales, and Projections
Online Atlases and Map Collections
Cartography Related Sites
How Maps are Made

• cartography
• map scales

Map Projections
Map Projections Links

• Properties of projections - Projections Examples
• projections distort size, shape, distance, direction
• equal area
• true shape
  
• The Nature and Classes of Projections
• Mercator projection
• rhumb /line
  
• Maps Used in this Text
• Goode's homolosine projection
• Robinson projection
  
• Mapping and Topographic Maps
• planimetric map
• topographic map
• isolines: contour lines, isobars, isohyets, isotherms etc.

Remote Sensing, GPS and GIS
Remote Sensing Links

• Active Systems
• Passive Systems
• electromagnetic spectrum

Geographic Information System (GIS)
Maps and Technology: GIS/GPS Resources 
Online Map Generators

Example of an online GIS - Geotracker