Activity 1 Introduction There are several objectives to this activity You will l think geographically the spatial perspective 2 produce and interpret two maps and 3 review the locations of the states of the United States which you already know that is why it is a review In class we discussed two key ideas 1 that geographers see the world in spatial terms and 2 that the scale of analysis one category vs four local scale state scale national scale determines the patterns and relationships we can observe We also discussed the tools geographers use to see patterns and to understand why things are where they are One of the most important tools is the map As you produce the maps for this activity remember that you are not just coloring maps you are organizing spatial information in categories in order to analyze it and draw conclusions Procedure 1 Fill in the required information state land area population on the accompanying worksheet Use 2000 census data Finding accurate information is your first task Population data can be found on the web http www census gov population www cen2000 respop html and land area can be found in the Statistical Abstract of the United States in the Library in the Reference Section or on line as a PDF file at http www census gov prod 2001pubs statab sec06 pdf Use data for LAND AREA not including bodies of water 2 Use this formula Population Density Population Land Area to calculate the arithmetic density for each state and the entire United States Do not include the District of Columbia in your calculations Be sure to record your correct answers in the accompanying table You do not need to hand in the table just the maps and your analysis of the maps Hint To calculate the average for the entire United States first add the population for each of the 50 states Then add the total land area for each state Last divide the TOTAL population by the TOTAL land area 3 On the map of the United States using a different color or pattern for each indicate those states which have a population density GREATER than the United States average and those states with a population density LESS THAN the United States average Hint The convention is lighter color less darker color more Try to use your lightest shade for the least category and darkest color for the greatest category Geography 201 Human Geography Dr Sarah Bednarz Spring 2005 ANSWER What patterns can be seen in the distribution of population densities by state Type write neatly your answer in this space 4 Now look at this information from a different more detailed scale of analysis On the second map of the United States using a different color or pattern for each indicate states with a population density LESS THAN the U S average states with a population density GREATER THAN the U S average states with a population density GREATER THAN TWICE the U S average pop density states with a population density GREATER THAN FOUR TIMES the U S average pop density states with a population density GREATER THAN EIGHT TIMES the U S average pop density For example if you calculate that the average is 75 you would have five categories of states less than 75 75 150 greater than average 151 300 greater than twice 301 600 greater than four times 601 greater than eight times 5 A ANSWER What patterns can be seen in terms of the distribution of the population density on this map Do you observe clusters of population or is it disperse Type write neatly your answer in this space Geography 201 Human Geography Dr Sarah Bednarz Spring 2005 Thinking like a geographer requires looking at issues from a variety of perspectives and at a variety of scales of analysis 5 B ANSWER Compare the first map and the second map How does the detail of the data two categories versus five categories affect the way in which the population density is interpreted and the patterns you observe Type write neatly your answer in this space 5 C ANSWER Which map would you use to determine the best place to market a new product Why Type write neatly your answer in this space Geography 201 Human Geography Dr Sarah Bednarz Spring 2005 Activity 1 STATE LAND AREA SQ MI POPULATION DENSITY STATE LAND AREA SQ MI POPULATION DENSITY The United States 130 W 125 W 120 W 115 W 110 W 105 W 100 W 95 W 90 W 85 W 80 W 75 W 70 W 45 N 45 N 40 N 40 N 35 N 35 N 30 N 30 N 155 W 20 N 0 65 N 100 Mi 0 0 100 Km 0 200 0 400 Mi 100 200 300 Miles 25 N 300 Kilometers Projection Lambert Conformal Conic Standard Parallels 33 N 45 N 0 200 400 Km 105 W 160 W 100 W 95 W 90 W 85 W 80 W 75 W 140 W Courtesy Arizona Geographic Alliance Department of Geography Arizona State University Barbara Trapido Lurie