Maps
Directions
Distance
Reading maps
Reading map legends
Latitude & Longitude
1
What are maps?
• Maps are pictures or representations of the
Earth's surface.
• They show how places are related to each
other by distance, direction, and size.
• Maps are a way of showing a part of the
Earth's surface on a flat piece of paper.
2
What happens when you make a flat
map of our round earth?
• Maps are flat but they are made to
represent an area that is on a
sphere, Earth.
• This can cause what is called
distortion (changes in the shape of
an object).
• The areas of a map closest to the
equator have little distortion.
• The closer a map moves towards
the poles the more distorted the
map becomes.
• For example, Greenland appears to
be much larger on a map than it
really is.
3
What is distortion?
• Maps are flat but they are made to
represent an area that is on a
sphere, Earth.
• This can cause what is called
distortion (changes in the shape of
an object).
• The areas of a map closest to the
equator have little distortion.
• The closer a map moves towards
the poles the more distorted the
map becomes.
• For example, Greenland appears to
be much larger on a map than it
really is.
4
Who is a cartographer?
• A person who makes maps is called a
cartographer.
5
What is a compass rose?
• A map includes a compass rose
that shows direction.
• Cardinal Directions are the four
base parts on a compass.
• The top point is called north and
the point at the bottom is south.
• The side points are called east and
west.
• The points in between the cardinal
directions are called intermediate
directions.
• These include northwest,
northeast, southwest, and
southeast.
6
What are cardinal directions?
• A map includes a compass rose
that shows direction.
• Cardinal Directions are the four
base parts on a compass.
• The top point is called north and
the point at the bottom is south.
• The side points are called east and
west.
• The points in between the cardinal
directions are called intermediate
directions.
• These include northwest,
northeast, southwest, and
southeast.
7
What are intermediate directions?
• A map includes a compass rose
that shows direction.
• Cardinal Directions are the four
base parts on a compass.
• The top point is called north and
the point at the bottom is south.
• The side points are called east and
west.
• The points in between the cardinal
directions are called intermediate
directions.
• These include northwest,
northeast, southwest, and
southeast.
8
Do you know: North, South, East, West, Northeast,
Northwest, Southeast, Southwest?
9
Do you know: North, South, East, West, Northeast,
Northwest, Southeast, Southwest?
North
Northwest
Northeast
West
East
Southwest
Southeast
South
10
North & South?
North
South
11
East & West
West
East
12
Northeast & Northwest
Northwest
Northeast
13
Southeast & Southwest
Southwest
Southeast
14
Map Keys
• Maps have keys.
• The objects on a map are represented using
symbols.
• A symbol is a picture on the map that
represents something in the real world.
• To understand the symbols on a map you
need a key.
• Maps use a key, or legend to explain the
meaning of each of the symbols used in the
map.
• The key usually shows a small picture of each
of the symbols used on the map, along with a
written description of the meaning of
each symbol.
15
There are many map symbols . . .
Source: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YU8ZYhiv17g/TdaIXnqtEhI/AAAAAAAADGg/vcyYyfpDXkw/s1600/map_symbols1.gif
16
How can you find locations on the
Earth’s surface?
• We can identify locations on the Earth's
surface by using a grid system of latitude
and longitude.
• Latitude gives a north and south
direction and longitude gives an east
and west direction.
• This system helps us in measuring
distances and finding directions
between places on the Earth's surface.
• The starting point is the prime meridian,
with represents 0º longitude.
• The exact opposite position at 180º is
called the International Date Line, which
is where the date actually changes.
17
What is Latitude?
• We can identify locations on the Earth's
surface by using a grid system of latitude
and longitude.
• Latitude gives a north and south
direction and longitude gives an east
and west direction.
• This system helps us in measuring
distances and finding directions
between places on the Earth's surface.
• The starting point is the prime meridian,
with represents 0º longitude.
• The exact opposite position at 180º is
called the International Date Line, which
is where the date actually changes.
18
What is longitude?
• We can identify locations on the Earth's
surface by using a grid system of latitude
and longitude.
• Latitude gives a north and south direction
and longitude gives an east and west
direction.
• (Longitude are the LONG lines)
• This system helps us in measuring distances
and finding directions between places on
the Earth's surface.
• The starting point is the prime meridian,
with represents 0º longitude.
• The exact opposite position at 180º is called
the International Date Line, which is where
the date actually changes.
19
How do we use the system of
longitude and latitude?
• We can identify locations on the Earth's
surface by using a grid system of latitude
and longitude.
• Latitude gives a north and south
direction and longitude gives an east
and west direction.
• This system helps us in measuring
distances and finding directions
between places on the Earth's surface.
• The starting point is the prime meridian,
with represents 0º longitude.
• The exact opposite position at 180º is
called the International Date Line, which
is where the date actually changes.
20
What is Prime Meridian?
• We can identify locations on the Earth's
surface by using a grid system of latitude
and longitude.
• Latitude gives a north and south
direction and longitude gives an east
and west direction.
• This system helps us in measuring
distances and finding directions
between places on the Earth's surface.
• The starting point is the Prime Meridian,
with represents 0º longitude.
• The exact opposite position at 180º is
called the International Date Line, which
is where the date actually changes.
21
What is the International Date Line?
• We can identify locations on the Earth's
surface by using a grid system of latitude
and longitude.
• Latitude gives a north and south
direction and longitude gives an east
and west direction.
• This system helps us in measuring
distances and finding directions
between places on the Earth's surface.
• The starting point is the prime meridian,
with represents 0º longitude.
• The exact opposite position at 180º is
called the International Date Line, which
is where the date actually changes.
22
What is a climate map?
• Climate Maps - give general information
about the climate and precipitation (rain and
snow) of a region.
• Cartographers, or mapmakers, use colors to
show different climate or precipitation zones.
23
What are economic or resource maps?
• Economic or Resource Maps
- feature the major types of
natural resources or
economic activity in an area.
• Cartographers use symbols
to show the locations of
natural resources or
economic activities.
• For example, wheat on a
map of Maryland tells you
that wheat is grown there.
24
What is a physical map?
• Physical Maps - illustrate the
physical features of an area,
such as the mountains, rivers
and lakes.
• The water is usually shown in
blue. Colors are used to show
relief—differences in land
elevations.
• Green is usually used at lower
elevations, and orange or
brown show higher elevations.
25
What are Street or Road Maps?
• Street Maps/Road Maps street maps illustrate smaller
areas such as towns and
cities.
• People use street maps to
find directions to a place
they want to go.
• A road map shows the
highways or interstates.
• These maps are also used to
find directions.
26
Political Maps
• Political Maps - do not
show physical features.
• Instead, they show state
and national boundaries
and capital and major
cities.
• A capital city is usually
marked with a star within
a circle.
27
What is a topographic map?
• Topographic Maps - include contour
lines to show the shape and elevation
of an area.
• Lines that are close together show
steep terrain, and lines that are far
apart show flat terrain.
• Many hikers use topographic maps,
especially in areas where there are no
roads with signs.
• Geologists depend on topographic
maps to record the types of rocks.
• Engineers use topographic maps when
they are planning roads, buildings, or
other human–made structures.
28
What does it mean when the lines are
close together?
• Topographic Maps - include contour
lines to show the shape and elevation
of an area.
• Lines that are close together show
steep terrain, and lines that are far
apart show flat terrain.
• Many hikers use topographic maps,
especially in areas where there are no
roads with signs.
• Geologists depend on topographic
maps to record the types of rocks.
• Engineers use topographic maps when
they are planning roads, buildings, or
other human–made structures.
29
How would a topographic map be
used?
• Topographic Maps - include contour
lines to show the shape and elevation
of an area.
• Lines that are close together show
steep terrain, and lines that are far
apart show flat terrain.
• Many hikers use topographic maps,
especially in areas where there are no
roads with signs.
• Geologists depend on topographic
maps to record the types of rocks.
• Engineers use topographic maps when
they are planning roads, buildings, or
other human–made structures.
30
What are map scales?
• Maps have scales.
• Maps are scaled down so that they fit
on paper.
• When scaling down a map, every part
of the map is scaled by the same
amount.
• This is done to make sure that every
object on the map is the same
proportion as everything else on the
map.
• Because the Earth is round, and maps
are flat, it is impossible to create a map
with a perfect scale.
• Some parts of the map will be too
large, while others will be too small.
31
What is a scale?
A scale is something that tells you how
the distance on the map compares to
the distance on the ground.
Source: http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/geology/leveson/core/linksa/scale.html
32
What is a representative fraction?
One unit of length on the map represents 500,000 of
that same unit on the ground. For example, 1 inch on the map
= 500,000 inches on the ground. One cm on the map
represents 500,000 cms on the ground. And so on.
Source: http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/geology/leveson/core/linksa/scale.html
33
What is a bar scale?
A bar scale is a graphic representation of distance. It
shows, visually, what distance on the map represents
a unit of distance on the ground. In this case, the
distances on the map that represent miles and
kilometers are shown.
Source: http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/geology/leveson/core/linksa/scale.html
34
What is statement of equivalency?
A statement of equivalency is how many miles on the
ground one inch on the map represents.
Take Representative Fraction 1:500,000
500,000/63,360 inches per mile = 7.89 so
1 inch = 7.9 miles
Source: http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/geology/leveson/core/linksa/scale.html
35
Sample of Statement of equivalency
Source: http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/geology/leveson/core/linksa/scale.html
36
Sample of Bar Scale
Source: http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/geology/leveson/core/linksa/scale.html
37
Sample of Statement of equivalency
Source: http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/geology/leveson/core/linksa/scale.html
38