Page 11: How Landforms Affect Economic Development
Geography and Agriculture
Visit this site to learn all about the geography of ancient and modern Egypt, and how the geography affected the development of agriculture. Find out here why the Egyptians centered their lives around the Nile River. What crops were grown along the banks of the Nile?
Geography of Agriculture
Go to this site to read an article about the relationship between geography and agriculture. Scroll down to read about subsistence farmers. What occurs in the slash and burn method of agriculture?
Mexico City: A Megacity with Big Problems
At this site you can learn how the geologic history of the area around Mexico City influences the city’s present and past development. Until recently, Mexico City had plenty of water for its population. Why is water now a problem for residents of Mexico City?
Page 22: Map Technology
Map Wizard
Visit this site to learn how to make your own maps. Use the site to make a map of where you live.
National Geographic Map Machine
This National Geographic site has all kinds of information about the world that can be displayed on different types of maps. The site opens to a map of the world that you can zoom in and out on to pinpoint a particular place. Then you can select a new theme to locate features on that original map. For example, you could zoom in on North America, then click on select a new theme and click on mineral resources to see the mineral resources found in North America on a new map. Finally, click on map key to identify these resources.
Finding Your Way with Map and Compass
Visit this USGS site to find out all about topographic maps and how to use them. Scroll down to learn how to take a compass bearing from a map. What is the difference between true north and magnetic north?
TerraWeb for Kids!
Click on Cool Stuff to Do, then find out how to make a pair of 3D glasses. Use the glasses when you create a 3D interactive world. What is a digital elevation model? How is it used in mapping?
Page 26: Topographic Maps
U.S. Geological Survey: Topographic Maps
Visit this site to learn about the types of topographic maps produced by the U.S. Geological Survey. Go to the menu at the left of the screen and click on topographic map symbols, then on land surface features. What symbol represents a quarry or an open pit mine?
Topographic Maps
At this University of California, Berkeley site you can read about the map collection at this school. Many of the maps in the collection were given to the library by the military after World War II. These maps cover most foreign countries, including parts of Europe, North Africa, and many Asian countries. Where did the library get most of its detailed maps of China?
Page 29: Why cities are placed where they are
The World Factbook 2001
This site, operated by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), provides information about every country in the world. Click on Argentina, study the map, and then scroll down to "Geography note". How do major cities in Argentina benefit from their location? Choose another country and hypothesize why people have built the cities in certain locations.
