MAPS AND MAP READING
Social Studies 6°-7°
INDEX:
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What is a map?
•
Basic Map Elements
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Other elements of a map.
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Example of a good map
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Exercises
A map is a symbolic representation of selected
characteristics of a place, usually drawn on a flat
surface. For a map to be useful, it is not always
necessary that it realistically portray the
geography it represents.
These are the most common 3 types of maps we’re
going to see:
1.
Political: shows the features people have created,
such as cities, states, provinces, territories, and
countries.
2. Physical: shows the physical features of a place
or country, like rivers, mountains, forests and
lakes.
3. Thematic: shows certain information about a
place or region.
They can also be combined
WHAT IS A MAP?
BASIC
ELEMENTS OF A
MAP:
•
Title: What is the map about.
•
Legend/Key: explanation of ALL
symbols (ideally).
•
Orientation (Compass): Where’s
the North.
•
Scale: Size relation to reality.
•
Grid: Latitude (North/South –
Equator) and longitude
(East/West – Greenwich)
imaginary lines.
BASIC
ELEMENTS OF A
MAP:
•
Title: What is the map about.
•
Legend/Key: explanation of ALL
symbols.
•
Orientation (Compass): Where’s
the North.
•
Scale: Size relation to reality.
•
Grid: Latitude (North/South –
Equator) and longitude
(East/West – Greenwich)
imaginary lines.
OTHER USEFUL
ELEMENTS OF A MAP:
•
DOGSTAILS: date, orientation,
grid, scale, title, author, index,
legend, and sources.
•
•
•
•
•
•
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Date: When was it made.
Orientation
Grid
Scale
Title
Author: Who made the map.
Index: Guide for more detailed
maps according to the grid.
Legend.
Sources: where the information
came from.
•
•
EXAMPLE OF A GOOD MAP:
EXERCISE 1:
•
What region of the world
is this maps
representing? Which
continents are you
seeing?
•
What is this map useful
for?
•
What basic elements is
this map missing?
•
What are positive
aspects of this map?
What do they allow you
to do?
•
What are negative
aspects of this map?
What do they stop you
from doing?
EXERCISE 2:
WORLD HISTORY AND
GEOGRAPHY:
QUESTIONS:
Analyze the following maps of the book
using the guide questions:
•
“Territory of the Germanic Peoples - A.D.
500” map – page 191.
What region of the world is this
maps representing? Which
continents are you seeing?
•
What is this map useful for?
•
“Islamic World – 600-800” map- page
205.
•
What basic elements is this map
missing?
•
“The Crusades – 1095-1204” map - page
286.
•
What is confusing?
•
What are positive aspects of this
map? What do they allow you to
do?
•
What are negative aspects of this
map? What do they stop you from
doing?
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