Chapter 2
Mapping our World
Section 2.1
Latitude and Longitude
You will be able to . . .
Longitude
•Compare and Contrast latitude
and longitude.
Latitude
•Describe how time zones vary.
The science of mapmaking is called cartography.
Lines of latitude
are parallel.
The latitude
of the north
pole is
90° north.
Longitude
Longitude –
Lines of
longitude
converge at the
poles.
The prime
meridian
represents
0° longitude.
Minutes
Each degree of
latitude or
longitude is
divided into
60 smaller
units called
minutes.
Seconds
Each minute of
latitude or
longitude is
divided into
60 smaller
units called
seconds.
Scale
Each degree(°) = 111 km
Each Minute(‘) = 1.85 km
And
Each Second(“) = 30.83 m
Note: works for latitude only
Time Zones
Earth is divided into 24
time zones.
International
Date Line
The International
Date Line is
another name for
the
180° meridian.
International
Date Line
Traveling West
() across the
International
Date Line, you
would advance
your calendar
one day.
Sept.
1
Sept.
2
West
International
Date Line
Traveling East
() across the
International
Date Line, you
would move your
calendar back
one day.
Sept.
1
Aug.
31
East
Section 2.2
Types of Maps
You will be able to . . .
•Compare and Contrast different
map projections.
•Analyze topographic maps.
•Describe map characteristics such
as map scales and map legends.
Distortion
All flat maps distort
either the shapes or
the areas of
landmasses because
Earth is a curved,
three-dimensional
object.
Mercator
A Mercator
projection
distorts
areas near
the poles.
(the areas of
landmasses near
the poles are
exaggerated)
Conic
In a conic projection,
there is very little
distortion along one line
of latitude, but the
areas and shapes of
landmasses near the top
and bottom of the
projection are distorted.
Gnomonic
In a gnomonic projection, the direction and
distance between landmasses are distorted.
Polar
Gnomonic
Equatorial
Gnomonic
Oblique
Gnomonic
Gnomonic projection are used by navigators to
plot great-circle routes.
Topographic
Topographic map
a type of map
that shows
changes in
elevation of
Earth's surface
Contour Interval
Each contour line
should represent
one elevation. If two
lines cross, it means
that the point where
they cross has two
elevations, which is
impossible.
The difference in elevation between two side-byside contour lines is called the contour interval.
Legend
& Scale
A map legend
explains what the
symbols on a map
represent.
A graphic scale is a line
broken into sections that
represent units with each
section representing a
distance on Earth’s surface.
Section 2.3
Remote Sensing
You will be able to . . .
•Compare and Contrast different
the different forms of radiation in the
electromagnetic spectrum.
•Discuss how satellites and sonar
are used to map Earth’s surface and
its oceans.
•Describe the Global Positioning
System
Light/Electromagnetic Spectrum
The frequency of an
electromagnetic wave is the
number of waves that pass a
particular point each second.
Speed of Light
The speed of light in a vacuum is 300,000 km/s.
Remote Sensing
The process of
collecting data about
the Earth from above
the surface.
(Generally using the electromagnetic
spectrum.)
GPS
GPS - Global Positioning
System allows its users to
determine their exact
position on Earth.
GPS
GPS satellites can
relay information
about all of the
following:
•Direction
•Elevation
•Position
Landsat and Topex/Poseidon
Both Landsat satellite and Topex/Poseidon satellite collect
data about Earth by remote sensing.
Topex/Poseidon Satellite
Landsat Satellite
Uses radar to map
features on the ocean
floor.
Detects energy
related to the warmth
of surface features.
NOVA Science Now (time-out)
Hyperlink on
picture 
Mapping Exercise
Earth is a circle which has 360 degrees (◦)
Each degree (◦) is divided into 60 minutes.
Each minute is divided into 60 seconds
Each degree(°) = 111 km
Each Minute(‘) = 1.85 km
And
Each Second(“) = 30.83 m
Traveling
When You Know your starting coordinates
and the distance you travel (+) add
40° 45’ 16” , I travel
10’ 10”
40° 55’ 16” , I travel
10’ 10”
Distance between
When You Know your starting coordinates
and ending coordinates (-) subtract
40° 45’ 16” , Start
40° 55’ 16” , start
40° 20’ 15” Stop
39° 10’ 40” stop
Conversion
When You need to convert
degrees,minutes,seconds to a decimal
Generally make it a fraction over 60 and add
to the number to the left.
120° 40’ 25” =
Map Exercises
http://geology.isu.edu/geostac/Field_Exercise/topomaps/exercise_1.htm