Synopsis of a lesson in Geography on the topic "Introduction. Sources of geographical information" (1st year of secondary vocational education)

For a long time, people have been interested in what lies beyond the horizon - new territories or the edge of the earth. Centuries passed, civilization accumulated knowledge. The time had come when scientists who had never been to distant lands knew a lot about them. Sources of geographic information helped them in this.

This article will tell you what they are, as well as their varieties.

General concepts

As you might guess, this is the name of all of which a person can obtain the information he is interested in. What sources of geographic information does 5th grade (in secondary school) consider? Let's list them:

• All geographical maps, atlases, as well as various topographic plans, including military ones.
• Various geographical descriptions of a specific area.
• Directories, encyclopedic articles, results and reports of various expeditions.
• Aerial photographs and space
• and GPS/GLONASS.

These are the sources of geographic information that 5th graders in an average secondary school know. We will try to consider the characteristics of some of them in a little more detail.

Modern technologies

In recent years, more and more sources have been converted from paper to digital form. And this is not surprising. Almost all 5 sources of geographic information that we just talked about can now be found in digital form. Even professional scientists in recent years have preferred to work with digital data.

It is much more convenient to work with the same GIS system than with a pile of books. Now let's discuss some sources of geographic information in more detail.

Cards

A map is a schematic generalized image of the surface of a certain area of ​​the earth, the entire planet or celestial bodies. It is built on the principle of scaling, that is, mathematical methods are used for this. Depending on the scale, all maps are usually divided into three large groups:

• Large scale.
• Medium-scale.
• Small scale.

If we talk about the first category, then the ratio of these documents can be 1:200,000 or larger. This includes almost all topographic plans. All maps with a ratio of less than 1:1,000,000 are considered small-scale. A typical geographic atlas includes either small-scale or medium-scale plans, which are best suited for studying a particular area.

Sorting map information

You should know that long before creating a map, experts make a strict selection of what will be depicted on it. This process is called as follows: cartographic generalization. Naturally, the most stringent selection exists for small-scale maps, since they need to contain the maximum amount of useful information with the minimum occupied document area. In the generalization itself, the direct purpose of the card, as well as the wishes of its customer, play an extremely important role.

Site plans

This is the name for terrain drawings that are made on a large scale (1:5000 or more), and are drawn using special symbols. In this way they resemble a school geographical atlas. The construction of such plans is carried out on the basis of visual, instrumental measurements, aerial photography, or a combined method.

Since the plans indicate relatively small areas of the earth's surface, when creating them, the curvature of the planet can be neglected. It should be clearly understood that these sources of geographic information that we have just described are fundamentally different from each other.

The main differences between plans and maps

• A centimeter of plan rarely contains more than five real kilometers on the ground. They are much more detailed than maps, in one millimeter of which hundreds of kilometers of the earth’s surface can be laid out.
• All objects on the ground are depicted in the plans in as much detail as possible. In principle, all more or less significant areas are marked on the average drawing. Thus, on the topographic plans of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (and the USSR, of course), even trees and small streams can be displayed. It is impossible to fit all this information onto maps. Actually, this is why the generalization that we talked about above is carried out. Even the exact outlines of the continents cannot be displayed on many maps, and therefore they are often plotted with significant distortions. In addition, the additional geography literature described above uses out-of-scale conventions.
• Let us emphasize once again that when constructing a plan, the curvature of the earth’s surface is neglected. Maps, especially on a small scale, must take this into account.
• There is never a degree grid on plans. At the same time, there are parallels and meridians on each of them.
• The plan is always easy to navigate. The top of the document is north, the bottom, respectively, is south. On maps, the direction is determined by parallels.

Methods of depicting objects on plans and maps

Conventional signs in this case are generally accepted options in which the characteristics of the objects depicted on the map or plan are encoded. With their help, you can display both something concrete (a mountain, for example), and something completely abstract, conditional (population density in a city, village, etc.). Of course, they all make life much easier for a person who knows the basics of cartography and knows how to read these drawings.

How long does the card remain valid?

Almost all geographers and geologists ask this question at least once in a while. The specific answer to it depends on the purpose, scale, and author of the plan. Thus, medieval researchers often drew maps literally “on their knees,” so there is no need to talk about their accuracy. But the maps of the General Staff, despite the time, are still amazing in their accuracy.

Do not forget that the maps are characterized by fairly high stability, while the plans of the Amazon and the Nile can be safely thrown away fifty years after their publication. These rivers change the topography of the Earth’s surface so effectively and quickly that older documents are only useful from a historical perspective.

Geographical descriptions, discoveries

All sources of geographic information discussed above are somewhat dry and uninteresting. It is much more interesting to read a description of a region, locality, or even a continent, written by the person who discovered it all!

Jokes aside, but descriptions and reports on geographical (geodetic, biological) studies can sometimes provide much more information than the most detailed topographic plan of the area. Moreover, the latter does not reflect some unpleasant features of a particular area (malaria, which is found in some central regions of Africa at every turn, for example).

The list of literature on geography that students are given at school (for example, Nikolina V.V. Geography, Lesson developments; Samkova V.A. We are studying the forest; Forest Encyclopedia: in 2 volumes / chief editor G.I. Vorobyov ), in fact, was formed thanks to the works of researchers who at one time recorded all this information on a map, being in the thick of things.

Brief information about the discovery of Africa

Let's tell you a little about the history of the discovery of the Dark Continent. Of course, the word “discovery” is not entirely correct here: Australia - yes, I had to suffer with it. In the case of Africa, the coastal areas where they caught black slaves and bought ivory from Arab traders were well explored, but almost no one knew what was going on in the depths of the continent.

Everything changed in the 19th century, when the legendary man arrived in Africa. It was to him that the honor of discovering the sources of the Nile and the magnificent Lake Victoria belongs. Few people know, but at one time the Russian scientist V.V. Junker (in 1876-1886) was engaged in the research of Central Africa.

For the indigenous population of the mainland, all this ended sadly: the main sources of geographical information (that is, maps), the data for which all these brave scientists collected with such difficulty and constant danger to their lives, began to be actively used by slave traders...

So, we are actually done with maps and plans. Geographic atlases fall into the same category. What is the role of modern sources of geographic information? To answer this question, let’s consider the principle of sharing old paper maps and a navigator, which is now actively used even by professional geographers and geologists.

GPS/GLONASS + maps

It should be noted that this method is excellent for determining the accuracy of maps, atlases and topographic plans. In addition, this technique satisfies the needs of historians, since they can see with their own eyes how much the area has changed, which is described in historical chronicles by contemporaries of certain events. However, literature on geography often contains plans of the area that have not been updated since the beginning of the last century.

To use such an accurate, but rather labor-intensive and somewhat extravagant method, you will have to perform three references (three different maps) to the same area of ​​the terrain:

• First, find a more or less modern map or topographic plan.
• It is advisable to have with you a recent aerospace photograph of the area under study with a topographic reference to the coordinate system.
• Finally, you need the card whose information you are going to check.

The point of this operation is to enter all three of these terrain drawings into the navigator’s memory. Modern models of such devices have a fairly powerful processor and an impressive amount of RAM, so you can switch between cards instantly.

Determining the route

It is best to plot your route using a modern map or topographic plan. We do not recommend using old documents for this. It is quite possible that in place of the swamp there is now a passable area, but you will no longer be able to walk along the edge of the once rare young forest, since the geography of the area has radically changed. A map is good, but in most cases such documents are not very accurate.

Why are aerial photography and satellite imagery preferable to maps?

But why are paper drawings so inferior to modern technology products? This is due to the following two reasons:

• Firstly, the relevance of space photography or aerial photography in most cases is much higher. When else will cartographers be able to carry out the next generalization of new data and release up-to-date terrain plans?
• In the pictures you can literally determine the characteristics of a particular area in real time. On a map or even a topographical plan, the tree species in the forest will be displayed only schematically and only in general order. Simply put, stumbling upon a thick spruce forest in the middle of a birch forest is quite possible, but in a dense coniferous forest it is much easier to get lost.

After choosing a route and checking the new photographs, it is recommended to refer to the old map. Why such difficulties? Imagine that you are a biologist in the field. You need to determine how much the forest has grown, what new tree species have appeared, how many types of forest have changed over all these years. The ideal solution to all of these problems is to simply overlay the new map onto its old counterpart. Thus, everything becomes visible as clearly as possible.

These are the sources geography uses. The map is perhaps the most important of them, but we should not forget that over the past decades science and technology have made huge strides forward, and therefore it would be stupid not to take advantage of all modern achievements.

Conclusion

So you have found out which sources of geographic information are currently the most relevant. Oddly enough, we still use all the same plans and maps that were invented before our era. Of course, adjusted for their modern appearance.

1) Name the first ways people understand the world around them.

• Answer: Traveling to new lands, observation.

2) What sources of geographic information do you know?

• Answers: Internet information, encyclopedias, geographical maps, etc.

3) What methods does geographical science use?

• Answer: Travel, observation, description and characterization, mapping, comparative, static, aerial photography, space.

4) What expeditions to what regions of the Earth have Russian geographers organized these days?

• Answer: Inspection of the radioactive waste disposal site in the Sea of ​​Japan and Okhotsk.

5) What methods of studying geography did you use in 6th grade?

• Answer: comparative, description, characteristics.

6) Look at the atlas maps. Determine which cards dominate.

a) by territory coverage.

• Answer: Continents and oceans.

• Answer: general geographical (physical).

Why?

• Answer: They carry more information.

7) Determine the distances from the map of the hemispheres, and then from the globe:

Compare the results and draw a conclusion.

• Answer:

8) Write what is shown on the map using symbols.

9) Describe one of the atlas maps (your choice).

Name of the card.

• Answer: Physical map of the world.

Type of map based on territory coverage.

• Answer: Worldwide.

• Answer: General geographical.

What is shown on the map and in what ways?

• Answer: Relief, rivers, lakes, large cities (inscription and symbols).

10) What information can be obtained from a physical card?

• Answer: Names of objects, relief, coordinates of objects.

11) How do you understand the words of the famous geographer that, unlike a book and other sources of information, a map “tells” faster, more accurately, more clearly and more concisely?

• Answer: The map shows only what is necessary.

12) A famous cartographer of our day claims that soon knowledge of a map will be as important as knowledge of grammar and mathematics. Express your opinion on this statement.

• Answer: Maps began to appear frequently in the media. The ability to understand the contents of a map is important for every person.

13) What do you think came first - writing or a map? Justify your answer.

• Answer: A map, since earlier the location of objects was easier to draw, not every person could use writing.

Geographic maps can be classified according to various criteria.

Thematic maps display just one or a few phenomena in detail. Examples of thematic maps: vegetation map, climate map, geological map, soil map, political map, etc.

General geographic maps depict in equal detail both natural objects and phenomena (relief, rivers, lakes, vegetation) and socio-economic ones (settlements, roads, industrial enterprises). They are labeled with the names of: oceans, rivers, seas, bays, straits, lakes, rivers; continents, islands, capes; plains, mountains, ridges; settlements, etc. The names of settlements are depicted to the right of the symbol, parallel to the southern frame or along the nearest parallel. The names of rivers are placed in the middle of the channel or along its axis, and the names of seas, islands and states are placed inside the contours, positioned in the direction of greater extent.

Rice. Classification of geographical maps

Maps also distinguish by territory coverage. The classification of maps according to the size of the territory depicted on them includes the following groups: 1) star maps; 2) maps of planets and Earth; 3) maps of the hemispheres; 4) maps of continents and oceans; 5) maps of seas, bays, straits; 6) maps of countries; 7) maps of large natural regions; 8) maps of republics, territories, regions, administrative districts; 9) city maps; 10) maps of urban areas.

There is a classification of cards by appointment, taking into account the diversity of spheres of human activity. For example, scientific reference maps are intended for carrying out scientific research and obtaining reference information, tourist maps - for obtaining information about interesting local objects, cafes, hotels, technical maps - for solving engineering problems. Educational maps are the main visual aid for studying geography, as well as economics, history and other academic disciplines.

Divide cards into groups and by scale. There are small-scale maps with a scale smaller than 1: 1,000,000, intended for studying large areas, medium-scale maps with a scale from 1: 200,000 to 1: 1,000,000, and large-scale maps with a scale of 1: 200,000 and larger.

Large scale maps are topographic maps.

Let us remind you that in its content cards can be:

• general geographical;
• thematic.

Thematic maps

Vegetation maps, for example, depict the distribution and composition of vegetation in different areas. There are also mineral maps, forest maps, relief maps, synoptic maps, industrial maps, which show large cities - industrial centers and their specialization. All these maps characterize geographical objects and phenomena on a specific topic: vegetation, relief, industry. That is why they are called thematic. For example, a political map will first of all give an idea of ​​the location of countries and their borders.

General geographical maps

General geographic maps display various elements of the earth's surface - relief, vegetation, rivers, settlements, transport networks, etc. For example, a physical map of Russia.

By territory coverage distinguish between maps of the world, individual continents, countries and their parts (regions).

A political map of the World

A political map of the World- one of the most important cartographic sources in the world geography course, since this map shows different countries, their capitals, communication routes and other useful information.

Let's look at the political map. In addition to the borders of states, on the political map you see the largest cities and capitals of countries, communication routes and seaports, the largest hydrographic objects (seas, rivers, lakes, bays, straits). Some other geographic features, such as terrain, may also be shown.

On the political map of the world you will find more than 230 countries and territories.

The borders of the state take quite a long time to form. They can change for various reasons: historical, political, economic, cultural, natural.

In order to know the political map of the world or individual continents and their parts, it is necessary to constantly refer to it, train in determining the geographical location of certain countries or regions, and monitor the changes taking place in the world.

The most complex is the political map of Western Europe. Let us together determine the geographical location of the countries in this region (Table 1).

Table 1. Western European countries

		Population (2007)	Capital(s)
	84 thousand km 2	8.3 million people
		70 thousand people	Andorra la Vieja
	30.5 thousand km 2	10.6 million people	Brussels
		1 thousand people
Great Britain	244 thousand km 2	61 million people
Germany	356 thousand km 2	82.3 million people	Bonn, Berlin
	132.0 thousand km 2	11.2 million people
	43 thousand km 2	5.5 million people	Copenhagen
Ireland	70 thousand km 2	4.4 million people
Iceland	103 thousand km 2	290 thousand people	Reykjavik
	504 thousand km 2	45.3 million people
	301 thousand km 2	59.3 million people
Liechtenstein (Principality of Liechtenstein)		34 thousand people
Luxembourg (Grand Duchy of Luxembourg)	2.6 thousand km 2	463 thousand people	Luxembourg
		397 thousand people	Valletta
		33 thousand people
Netherlands	41 thousand km 2	16.4 million people	Amsterdam
Norway	324 thousand km 2	4.7 million people
Portugal	92 thousand km 2	10.7 million people	Lisbon
San Marino		28 thousand people	San Marino
Finland	337 thousand km 2	5.3 million people		552 thousand km 2	61.7 million people
Switzerland	41 thousand km 2	7.5 million people
	450 thousand km 2	9.1 million people	Stockholm

Time zone map- an interesting, and most importantly, useful map (Fig. I).

For the convenience of counting time, the entire surface of the Earth was divided into 24 time zones. Each time zone differs by one hour from the next. Belts are numbered from 0 to 23 from west to east from Greenwich meridian. In all points located within the same zone, the same thing is considered standard time. Moscow, for example, is in the second time zone.

However, in Moscow we live not according to the belt, but according to maternity time(from Latin decretum - decree, decree). In addition, you know that in Russia the clock hands are moved forward (summer time) or back (winter time) by one hour in order to make the most efficient use of the daylight hours and save energy. Therefore, Moscow, being in the 2nd time zone, practically lives according to the time of the 3rd time zone. In other words, when it is 13 o’clock in Moscow (Moscow time), then in Paris it is 11 o’clock (Central European Time), and in London it is 10 o’clock (Greenwich Time).

Rice. 1. Map of world time zones

Look at the hag of time zones. The boundaries of time zones are not drawn exactly along the meridians. For convenience, the boundaries of states, regions, states and other administrative-territorial entities within one country are taken into account. In Russia, for example, the 11th and 12th time zones are combined into one.

Air transport, telephone and telegraph communications throughout the country, as a rule, operate on the same time. In Russia, for example, it is Moscow time.

If you look closely at a map of time zones, you will notice what is remarkable about the 180th meridian. It runs through a conditional date line. Its zigzag in the region of the Chukotka Peninsula is not accidental. The fact is that on both sides of this line the hours and minutes coincide, and the calendar dates differ by one day. If the international date line crossed Chukotka, its residents would have to maintain their own calendar, one day ahead of the national calendar.

If you ever decide to travel around the world and go east from Cape Dezhnev, crossing the International Date Line, do not forget to count the same day twice. And vice versa, moving from east to west, you miss one day.

Statistical materials are one of the main sources of geographic information

is a science that studies the totality of mass phenomena in order to take into account and identify patterns of their development using quantitative (statistical) indicators. Population is just such a mass phenomenon. Statistical indicators include absolute and relative values, as well as various coefficients.

Absolute values have informative value and show the extent of geographical phenomena. For example, Russia has the largest territory in the world - more than 17 million km 2, which is almost twice the territory of countries such as China, USA or Canada. However, in terms of population, Russia is inferior to many countries. In 2007, the total population was 142 million people. - eighth place in the world.

Table 2. Population of the largest countries in the world (million people)

Relative value expresses the result of comparing (comparing) statistical indicators with each other. They make it possible to detect certain changes in geographical phenomena and their trends.

Coefficients are indicators that reflect the characteristic features of individual phenomena, for example, the coefficient of specialization or natural population growth.

In order to learn how to work with statistical materials, you must first of all imagine how they are organized and constructed (ordered).

Statistical table is a system of vertical and horizontal graphs (columns and rows), equipped with headings and filled in in a certain order with digital data. It contains statistical data necessary to characterize the geographical phenomenon being studied and its components. The headings of the horizontal rows of a statistical table correspond to the statistical “subject”, and the top headings of its vertical columns correspond to the statistical “predicate”.

Let's look, for example, at the statistical table. 3 “Changes in the share of economic regions in the population of Russia according to census data of 1926-2002.”

Table 3. Change in the share of economic regions in the Russian population according to census data for 1926-2002, %

Russian Federation, including areas:
Northern
Northwestern
Central
Volgo-Vyatsky
Central Black Earth
Povolzhsky
North Caucasian
Ural
West Siberian
East Siberian
Far Eastern
Kaliningrad region

The statistical subject contains a list of those parts and groups of the phenomenon being studied that are quantitatively characterized in the predicate. In this case, these are the economic regions of Russia. The predicate of the table shows the values ​​of the phenomenon being studied - the proportion of the population living in the economic regions of the Russian Federation over a number of years.

Thus, any statistical table includes three required elements:

• general table title;
• statistical subject;
• statistical predicate.

Statistical materials can be presented not only in statistical tables, but also in visual form: in diagrams, graphs, maps, maps.

Statistical maps- These are primarily cartograms and map diagrams. Let us together, using the table. 4, let’s draw up a cartogram on a contour map showing the population density of the economic regions of Russia:

• write down the name of the cartogram (“Population density of economic regions of Russia”);
• we will write down the name of the source on the basis of which we will build a cartogram (statistical table “Population density of economic regions of Russia”);
• Let's write out the relative statistical indicators that we will depict, having first rounded their values ​​to whole numbers;
• Let's divide the indicators into groups based on the principle of equal intervals. The simplest way of breaking down is to divide the difference between the largest (63) and smallest value (1) indicator by 5. In our case (63 - 1 = 62 « 60: 5 = 12) the interval will be equal to 12, and the groups of indicators will be as follows: 1 - 12; 12-24; 24-36; 36-48; 48-60 and more than 60 people/km 2 ;
• Let's make a cartogram legend in a notebook, where darker tones of color (or denser shading) depict greater intensity of the phenomenon; light shades (or sparse shading) - less. To depict colors, it is better to take shades of the same paint: from lighter to darker;
• we will show on a contour map the boundaries of economic regions of Russia;
• transfer the cartogram legend to the contour map in the “Symbols”;
• Let's make a cartogram.

Building graphs and diagrams based on statistical indicators has a mathematical basis that is well known to you.

Based on their graphs, we can conclude that up to the 90s. XX century In the settlement of the Russian population, the historical trend of developing new lands and Russian outskirts continued.

Since the 1990s There is a reverse trend of population decline in the northern and eastern regions of Russia, primarily the Far Eastern and Northern regions.

Diagrams show the volumes and structure of geographical phenomena. They can be circular, point, linear, area, volumetric, etc. (Fig. 2). Recall that when constructing pie charts The initial radius is considered to be directed upward on the sheet of paper, i.e. “northern”. It is from this that the indicators (at the rate of I% = 3.6 degrees) that characterize a geographical phenomenon, for example, the settlement of the Earth's population depending on the proximity of the seas, are plotted clockwise by eye.

Rice. 2. Distribution of the Earth's population depending on the proximity of the coasts of seas and oceans

The scale of the diagram depends on: a) the size of the sheet; b) the values ​​of the initial indicators; c) the difference between the highest and lowest values ​​of indicators; d) the number of diagram signs.

To determine the scale bar chart, for example, it is necessary to first establish what the largest and smallest bars can be. The base of the diagram is determined by the formula X = A: M, where X is the base of the diagram; A is the statistical indicator we use; M is the base of scale, which shows how many units of this indicator are per 1 square. mm area diagram. It is compiled like this. First, the center line is drawn - the base of the diagram, and then the perpendiculars are restored taking into account the scale.

Mapping on a contour map comes down to constructing diagrams within the boundaries of a certain territory, for example, within the boundaries of large regions of Russia, economic regions, and constituent entities of the Russian Federation.

Sex and age pyramid allows you to visually analyze the sex ratio by age group of the population. It is constructed as follows. Along the vertical axis, age is plotted at regular intervals (in the form of age intervals; for example, 0-5, 5-10, 10-15, etc.), and along the horizontal axis - to the left - the number (or proportion) of men, and to the right — women (on the same scale). For each age group, they build their own linear diagram and, as it were, “string” them one after another from the bottom up - from the base of the pyramid to its top (Fig. 3). Based on the shape of such a pyramid, one can determine the characteristics of the age structure of the population and identify the characteristics of the sex ratio in various age groups. Quantitative data on the ratio of sexes and age groups of the population, read from sex-age pyramids, can be used for further calculations of general demographic indicators (for example, dependency ratios), their analysis and comparison.

Rice. 3. Sex and age pyramids

The question arises of how to update statistical materials, because they soon become outdated. For this purpose, there are statistical collections, reference books, periodicals, and Internet resources.

Geographic information systems as a means of obtaining, processing and presenting geographic information

Geographic information systems (GIS) is a computer database that stores geoinformation in the form of maps of various contents, digital and text information on objects plotted on these maps. Information can be presented on the monitor screen and in the form of printouts of any scale, tables, graphs, diagrams for any of the information blocks.

Based on spatial coverage, global, national, regional, local and city GIS are distinguished. According to their purpose, they are divided into resource cadastral, land, environmental, geological, marine, educational, etc.

Thus, geographic information systems (GIS) are special systems that are capable of collecting, systematizing, storing, processing, evaluating, displaying and distributing data at a new technical level and obtaining new geographic information on this basis. It is very effective, for example, to use educational GIS when comparing thematic maps of different contents for the same territory, be it a country or a region; when establishing various geographical connections.

We would like to draw your special attention to opportunities and resources of the Internet, which can be used by you while studying the course. They include:

• educational resources WWW (World Wide Web);
• E-mail (electronic mail);
• teleconferences.

Educational resources on the World Wide Web may be useful:

• to search for additional and updated (including statistical) information for lessons during the preparation process;
• to search for information in the process of preparing various kinds of creative works (reports, abstracts, business games, educational conferences, etc.).

Email can be used:

• to exchange educational creative works with their peers from other schools and regions of our country;
• for mutual exchange of information in the process of solving problems of distance learning and telecommunications projects.

Teleconferences may be useful:

• when participating in various kinds of educational and cognitive telecommunications projects.

The following sources of geographic information are distinguished:
1. Geographic information systems (GIS). GIS are computer-generated “archives” of geographic knowledge about territorial organization and the interaction of society and nature. The GIS includes:

COMPUTER;
software;
spatial information in the form of cartographic data about natural components, farms, lands, roads, etc.
The functioning of the GIS is carried out in the following sequence:
collection and automated processing of geographic information;
spatial reference of geographic information and its presentation in the form of an electronic map on the display screen;
transferring this map, if necessary, into paper form (for example, creating atlases).
An important component of GIS is aerospace information, data from aerovisual observations, ground sensors, etc.
The Institute of Geography of NASU is developing a multi-purpose National GIS of Ukraine, the purpose of which is to create a geographical-cybernetic model of the country.
2. Geographical research:
field studies;
trips;
local history excursions
tourism, mountaineering.
Field research can be expeditionary or stationary. Expeditionary studies include the study of individual natural components, sectors of the economy, etc. Natural and economic complexes are learned in the process of comprehensive geographical research (natural-geographical, landscape, economic-geographical, etc.). Expeditionary research is divided into three periods:
preparatory;
field expeditionary;
cameral (processing collected materials, writing a report, drawing up maps).

During expeditionary research, aerospace photographs of the earth's surface are used. They are decrypted, i.e. recognize objects reflected on them by their shape, color, and tone of the image.
Artificial satellites provide the opportunity to study the dynamics and periodicity of natural processes, unique phenomena and objects (volcanic eruptions, fires, avalanches, landslides, crustal faults, atmospheric pollution, etc.).
In 1995, the first Ukrainian satellite “Sich-1” was launched, equipped with instruments for remote exploration of the Earth, inventory and assessment of land, mineral exploration, meteorological forecasting, and environmental monitoring. In Ukraine there are the Center for Aerospace Research of the Earth, the Center for Radiophysical Sounding of the Earth, and the Marine Hydrophysical Institute.

Nowadays, geographic information is obtained about natural and man-made processes, changes in the natural environment, geochemical anomalies, cities and suburban areas, air pollution, flooding, the state of vegetation, areas of radioactive contamination, emissions from wastewater treatment plants.
Stationary geographical research has been carried out regularly for many years at specially equipped geographical stations. They study in detail changes in natural complexes over time. Stationary geographical research is carried out at the Institute of Geography of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Lvov, Odessa, Kharkov and Tauride universities.

Ukraine is a member of the World Weather Watch, the World Meteorological Organization. Hydrometeorological conditions are important economic and social factors: the social and economic state of the state, the environmental situation, the agro-industrial complex, energy, transport, utilities, and military security depend on them.
3. Sources of geographic information are local history studies and descriptions of the native land, cities and other settlements. These also include descriptions of travel, hiking and mountaineering routes, and excursions.

4. Important sources of geographic information are maps and atlases. Cartographic images reproduce the dimensions and properties of geographical objects using geographical means and signs (lines, shapes), as well as color tone. Combinations of geographical signs and background are means of cartographic modeling, creating cartographic images (geographic images). To understand the natural and economic objects displayed on the map, the components of natural conditions, processes, as well as the patterns of their distribution, legends are attached to the maps. The text of the legend, geographical names, terms and concepts allow you to “read” the map and use it.
Maps are the most important components of the information structural blocks of geographical atlases. National atlases are acquiring exceptional importance. According to the Decree of the President of Ukraine dated 08/01/2000 “On the National Atlas of Ukraine”, an atlas is being created that will reflect the spatial characteristics of natural conditions and resources, population, economy, environmental conditions, science and culture of Ukraine.

Geographic information is produced by:
Institute of Geography;
Institute of Geological Sciences;
Institute of Botany;
Institute of Zoology;
Council for the Study of the Productive Forces of Ukraine;
regional natural science and socio-economic divisions of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

5. A variety of geographical information is stored by the National Natural Museum of Ukraine, regional, district, and city local history museums.
6. A variety of geographical information is available in textbooks, manuals, statistical reference books, dictionaries, encyclopedias, scientific journals, and periodicals. The media are filled with geographic information: newspapers, radio and television programs. Geographic popular science, documentaries, and educational films are created. Geographical information can be found in fiction, paintings, landscape architecture, etc. The Internet provides great opportunities for obtaining and using up-to-date geographic information.

Previously, during my school youth, I thought that geographical sources were only a textbook, a map and a geography teacher. But, with the development of technology and the desire to leave the Earth without “blank spots”, man has created many quick and easy ways to study the planet. Many sources of information tend to become outdated, and people need to take care of updating them.

Main geographical sources

Geography, as a science common to all mankind, also presupposes a standard set of sources:

• The map is the oldest source of geoinformation.
• Experimental research is the practical study of the planet by man through travel and expeditions.
• Geoinformatics - the use of high technologies (satellite images, creation of computer models).
• Museums and storage facilities are a way to preserve and replenish received geoinformation and objects.

The trend in the development of computer technology suggests a gradual shift away from maps on tangible (paper) media due to their property of constant obsolescence. For example, a map of the Amazon River basin can be safely thrown away after 50 years - so quickly does it change the topography of the territories through which it flows.

The role of geographical sources

Their main role is to preserve and increase geographical knowledge, as well as inform people about it. Science cannot do without the accumulation of sources that will allow people to use the acquired knowledge both economically (construction, mining) and for personal needs (travel organization). Oddly enough, we use geoinformation sources almost every day. The simplest example is a GPS navigator.

It is he who helps us find a street in a large city and build a route to it. Another commonly used source would be space weather satellites. If earlier, to find out the weather, we looked at the thermometer outside the window, now we receive this information from the Internet, where it gets from weather satellites, naturally, after it is processed at the Hydrometeorological Center.