How to Analyze
Maps & Atlases
How to Analyze Maps & Atlases
What is a map? As a class, try to agree on the word’s definition.
Maps
versus
Globes
What is the
difference between
a globe...
Maps versus Globes
...and a map?
Maps versus Globes
Map Projections
Mercator projection
Map Projections
Robinson projection
Map Projections
Interrupted Goode homolosine projection
Map Projections
What advantage does the Mercator map have, and what disadvantages?
Map Projections
In a Mercator projection, directions and shapes are accurate near the equator, but
shapes far from the equator grow increasingly distorted in size.
Map
Projections
A graphic
representation of
stretching in the
Mercator
projection
Map Projections
In a Robinson projection, angles and areas do not conform to reality, but gently
curving meridians avoid extreme distortion except close to the poles.
Map Projections
Compare the above
projections with the
interrupted Goode
homolosine projection
to the right.
Atlases
What is an atlas? What would you expect to find in an atlas?
Latitude and Longitude
You may have studied latitude and longitude in other classes. Do you
remember which is which?
Latitude and Longitude
What is the black arrow pointing to? How many degrees of latitude is this line?
Latitude and Longitude
What is the black arrow pointing to? How many degrees of longitude is this line?
Latitude and Longitude
Which measurement—latitude or longitude—gives us more information about
the climate and weather in a place? Why?
Latitude and Longitude
Which place do you think would have a warmer climate: 10° south or 20°
north?
Latitude and Longitude
What does jet lag have to do with latitude and longitude?
Different Types of Maps
What type of map is this?
What kinds of information does this map provide?
Different Types of Maps
What type of map is this?
What kinds of information does this map provide?
Different Types of Maps
What type of map is this?
Who might find this map useful?
Different Types of Maps: Thematic Maps
What are some of the first things you notice about this map?
What do you think this map is telling you?
Map Legends
Thematic maps generally have
legends that explain what the
maps show.
Map Legends
According to this legend, what do the different colors on the map represent?
Map Legends
What do you think this part of the legend means?
Map Legends
What are the population densities of these regions?
Map Legends
What factors might explain why
northern India is so densely populated?
Map Legends
How densely populated is
Alaska?
Map Legends
Discuss the world’s patterns of population density.
Map Scale
What is the scale of this world map?
Map Scale
What is the scale of
this Soviet map of
the Tora Bora region
of Afghanistan?
Map Scale
What is the scale of this
CIA map of Iran?
Map Scale
What is the scale of this map of
New Orleans?
Deciphering Maps: Ecozones
Look at another thematic map. This one shows Earth’s ecozones.
Deciphering Maps: Ecozones
What patterns do you notice?
Deciphering Maps: Ecozones
Ecozones map legend
Deciphering Maps: Ecozones
Tundra
Deciphering Maps: Ecozones
Where do you see the tundra ecozone?
What do you think the tundra ecozone might look like?
What clues do you see on the map to help answer this question?
Deciphering Maps: Ecozones
Tundra
Deciphering Maps: Ecozones
Deserts and xeric shrublands
Deciphering Maps: Ecozones
Deserts and xeric shrublands
Deciphering Maps: Ecozones
Deserts and xeric shrublands
Deciphering Maps: Ecozones
Ecozones map legend
Deciphering Maps: Ecozones
Deciphering Maps: Ecozones
Tropical rain forest
Deciphering Maps: Ecozones
Mediterranean zone
Deciphering Maps: Ecozones
How do you think this map might be useful?
Deciphering Maps: Ecozones
Tropical grasslands
Deciphering Maps: Energy Consumption
What do you think the bars on this map mean?
Deciphering Maps: Energy Consumption
What does this legend tell you about the bars on the map?
Deciphering Maps: Energy Consumption
Compare energy use in the United
States and the European Union.
Deciphering Maps: Energy Consumption
Who uses the most soft (brown) coal?
Deciphering Maps: Energy Consumption
Who uses the most hard coal?
Comparing Maps
Predict which ecozones are most populated. Least populated?
Comparing Maps:
Ecozones and Population Density
Which ecozones are most populated? Least populated?
Comparing Maps
How good were your predictions?
Comparing Maps
Do the most populated regions use the most energy?
Comparing Maps
Compare India and the U.S. in terms of population and energy use.
Comparing Maps
Can you imagine a life in a village with little or no electricity?
Comparing Maps
Predict what the colors on this map might mean.
Comparing Maps
Carbon dioxide emission map legend
Comparing Maps
Who emits the most carbon dioxide? Least?
Comparing Maps
Compare and discuss.
Comparing Maps
Compare and discuss.
Comparing Maps
Compare and discuss.
Comparing Maps
Compare and discuss.
Comparing Maps
Compare and discuss.
Deciphering Maps: Health
Now try deciphering a map of world health.
Predict what the colors in this map might mean.
Deciphering Maps: Health
Examine and discuss the legend for the world health map.
Deciphering Maps: Health
Now look at the map. What does it tell you about infant mortality rates
in different parts of the world?
Deciphering Maps: Health
Which Middle Eastern
countries have the highest
infant mortality rates? Why?
Comparing Maps
Before you compare the world health map to a map of the world’s educational
levels, make predictions about what you might find.
Comparing Maps
What patterns do you notice?
Comparing Maps
Fully discuss this map legend.
Comparing Maps
Do you know why this graph is
on the map?
Comparing Maps
Compare and analyze the health and education maps.
Comparing Maps
Compare and analyze the health and education maps.
Comparing Maps:
Health and Education
Summarize your observations on the health and education maps.
The End