The geographic resources They are all the techniques, materials, equipment and information that allow us to describe and represent the earth's surface. Although Geography is very broad, its fundamental basis is the representation of the terrestrial form.
To know the shape of the earth's surface and to be able to apply this knowledge, the human being uses a series of resources. These are intended to build theoretical approximations or models that reflect the physical reality of the planet's surface as accurately as possible..
These models are maps, plans, globes and computerized models that become resources that the geographer uses to continue his studies. In addition, other technical resources are used, which allow obtaining basic data to develop the models and theories such as the compass, GPS, aerial photography, sonar and satellites..
A fundamental resource for the study of terrestrial geography are computers and their specialized programs. These resources allow to process a large amount of geographic data and increase the precision of graphical representations of the earth's surface..
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The human being is not able to capture the full dimension of the natural environment, his view covers only a small perimeter. In this sense, to be able to tackle the exploration and colonization of terrestrial spaces, it has required to build models or graphic representations of that environment..
The purpose is to orient yourself and be able to properly plan your actions, which is achieved by making diagrams of the fundamental reference points in the field, with a greater or lesser level of detail.
To make land representations there are various geographic resources:
It is the primary two-dimensional graphic representation in a geographical work, being a general scheme or drawing of the terrestrial form without a defined scale. The main geographical features of an area are simply drawn freehand.
It is not strict in proportions and distances, providing a general idea of the geography of the area. It is used as a preliminary outline to address a certain geographic or related area work.
They are a two-dimensional representation of an area or the entirety of the Earth's surface, compensating for the curvature of the Earth. For this, cartographic projections are used that allow the proportions of land and water masses that are in a curved space to be adjusted to two dimensions..
In this sense, there are various types of projections for the elaboration of maps, understanding that the least possible deformation of the proportions is sought. Additionally, the maps have a reference system that allows locating with enough precision any point on the earth's surface represented in it..
This geographic reference system is called geographic coordinates and the maps that represent the totality of the earth's surface are called world maps or planispheres..
The plane is made at a higher level of detail using larger scales, usually up to 1: 10,000, and the earth's curvature is not considered in the representation. These are used to represent two-dimensionally a more limited area or structure, such as a city, a defined terrain or a farm.
In addition, the plans are simpler in terms of the symbols used, trying to concentrate on the representation of the essential elements of interest..
They are magnitudes that allow locating any point on the earth's surface in the horizontal and vertical planes. In vertical terms, it is the altitude and is expressed in meters above sea level (masl), while in the horizontal dimension, latitude and longitude are used..
For the latter, a reference network is used, made up of vertical lines called meridians and horizontal lines called parallels. All lines are equidistant from each other, forming a mesh on the map that allows you to refer to any point.
Meridians are imaginary lines that run from pole to pole, while parallels are imaginary lines that run parallel to the equator. The distance between parallels and between meridians is measured in sexagesimal degrees.
These degrees are measured by drawing a line from the center of the Earth to the equator (0º) and another to a point north or south that must be parallel to the point on the equator. In such a way that the resulting angle between these two lines corresponds to the distance in degrees between the equator and that parallel..
This distance in degrees between parallels is called latitude, and above the equator it is referred to as degrees and the letter N for north. While those below the equator bear degrees and the letter S for south.
For meridians, the reference line is the meridian through Greenwich (London, England). From the center of the Earth a line is drawn to a point on the Greenwich meridian.
Then another line is drawn to a point parallel to the previous one located to the left or right of the Greenwich meridian. The angle formed is the distance between the Greenwich meridian and the other meridian.
The distance between the meridians is the longitude, expressed in degrees followed by the letter O (west) for the points to the left of the Greenwich meridian. For those located on the right, the letter E (east) is used.
Although there are multiple equipment and techniques used in geographic work, the most relevant are the compass, the altimeter and the GPS. Like sonar, satellites and geographic information systems, and through employment, the geographer obtains the data that allow him to make representations of geographic reality..
This instrument was invented by the Chinese in the 11th century, although the Olmecs (ancient Mexico) apparently used a similar instrument. It consists of a needle with a magnetized end that is oriented towards the magnetic south pole of the Earth, which corresponds to the geographic north.
They are designed based on a circumference divided into degrees where the four main geographic coordinates are marked. These are the north, south, east and west, being the reference to locate the east as the point where the Sun rises and the west corresponds to the point where the Sun sets.
This instrument allows you to locate yourself on the ground and define the location of any reference point, and also allows you to orient yourself correctly on a map.
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a system based on a set of satellites that orbit the Earth. These satellites are connected to portable GPS equipment on the ground, commonly called GPS, requiring a minimum of three satellites to give the coordinates..
The GPS system is owned by the United States Space Force and has 24 satellites orbiting at an altitude of 20,000 km. There is also a European global positioning system, called Galileo and another Russian system called GLONASS..
It is an acronym for the English words Sound Navigation And Ranging, to refer to a system that uses sound waves to detect submerged objects. It consists of emitting sound waves that propagate in the water and when they collide with a solid surface they return and are registered.
The information generated allows the construction of three-dimensional graphic representations of the surface of the ocean floor..
With the photographs taken from airplanes, Geography acquired important tools, since it is possible to obtain a direct graphic representation of the terrestrial form. From series of aerial photographs it is possible to design fairly detailed maps of geographic areas.
Currently the images are larger and at the same time with higher resolution due to the use of satellites. These electronic devices orbit the planet at altitudes greater than several tens of thousands of kilometers.
From that altitude and using computerized technology and high resolution cameras, they send images of a different nature in real time. They also use all kinds of sensors that provide data of various kinds, such as temperature, atmospheric pressure and others..
This information is of great importance for the elaboration of detailed maps, to study the geomorphological, climatic processes and other aspects of Geography in a broad sense..
Computerized technology makes it possible to process large masses of geographic data and make much more accurate graphical representations. Likewise, the processes that occur on the earth's surface and the oceans are monitored, for example, with the GIS for public use and easy access. Google Earth.
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