A. The World in Spatial Terms

1. Distinguish among the distinct characteristics of maps, globes, graphs, charts, diagrams, and other geographical representations, and the utility of each in solving problems.
2. Translate maps into appropriate spatial graphics to display geographical information.
3. Explain the spatial concepts of relative and absolute location and distance.
4. Estimate distances between two places on a map using a scale of miles, and use cardinal and intermediate directions when referring to a relative location.
5. Use geographic tools and technologies to pose and answer questions about spatial distributions and patterns on Earth.
6. Distinguish among the major map types, including physical, political, topographic, and demographic.
7. Explain the distribution of major human and physical features at country and global scales.
8. Use thematic maps to describe places (e.g., patterns of population, diseases, rainfall).
9. Describe and distinguish among the various map projections, including size, shape, distance, and direction.
10. Describe location technologies, such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS).
11. Describe the significance of the major cities of New Jersey, the United States, and the world.

B. Places and Regions

1. Compare and contrast the physical and human characteristics of places in regions in New Jersey, the United States, and the world.
2. Describe how regions change over time.
3. Compare the natural characteristics used to define a region.
4. Explain how regional systems are interconnected (e.g., watersheds, trade, transportation systems).
5. Discuss how the geography of New Jersey impacts transportation, industry, and community development.
6. Discuss the similarities and differences among rural, suburban, and urban communities.
7. Describe the types of regions and the influence and effects of region labels including:
   • Formal regions: school districts, states
   • Functional regions: marketing area of a newspaper, fan base of a sport team
   • Perceptual regions: the Bible Belt, the Riviera in southern France

C. Physical Systems

1. Describe the characteristics and spatial distribution of major Earth ecosystems.
2. Discuss how ecosystems function locally and globally.
3. Predict effects of physical processes and changes on the Earth.
4. Discuss how the community and its environment function as an ecosystem.
5. Describe how the physical environment affects life in different regions (e.g., population density, architecture, transportation systems, industry, building materials, land use, recreation).

D. Human Systems

1. Discuss how technology affects the ways in which people perceive and use places and regions.
2. Analyze demographic characteristics to explain reasons for variations between populations.
3. Compare and contrast the primary geographic causes for world trade.
4. Analyze the patterns of settlement in different urban regions of the world.
5. Discuss how and why people cooperate, but also engage in conflict, to control the Earth’s surface.
6. Compare the patterns and processes of past and present human migration.
7. Explain and identify examples of global interdependence.
8. Describe how physical and human characteristics of regions change over time.

E. Environment and Society

1. Discuss the environmental impacts or intended and unintended consequences of major technological changes (e.g., autos and fossil fuels, nuclear power and nuclear waste).
2. Analyze the impact of various human activities and social policies on the natural environment and describe how humans have attempted to solve environmental problems through adaptation and modification.
3. Compare and contrast conservation practices and alternatives for energy resources.
4. Compare and contrast various ecosystems and describe their interrelationship and interdependence.
5. Describe world, national, and local patterns of resource distribution and utilization, and discuss the political and social impact.
6. Analyze the importance of natural and manufactured resources in New Jersey.
7. Delineate and evaluate the issues involved with sprawl, open space, and smart growth in New Jersey.