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Name: _______________________________________________ Pd.: ________ Date: ______________________
Study Guide - Mapping the Earth
These are the facts you should know…:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Latitude lines go East-West but measure North and South of the Equator.
Longitude lines go North-South but measure East and West of the Prime Meridian.
When finding coordinates of a location, the latitude is first, longitude is second.
The closer the contour lines, the steeper the slope.
Contour lines form V's and point upstream when there are rivers and creeks present.
The increase in elevation between two adjacent contour lines is the contour interval.
When finished with this unit, you should be able to…:
1. Identify the latitude and longitude of a given location on a map (world, US, state, or local), or conversely,
given the latitude and longitude coordinates, identify the correct location.
2. Read and interpret maps, including legends and lines (e.g. contour and isobar) used on maps.
3. Measure the distance between two points on a map as well as determine the direction of one point in
relationship to the other.
4. Calculate the contour interval and changes in elevation on a topographic map and compare these to another
map with a different scale.
5. Identify topographic features on a map.
6. Construct a profile from a topographic map as well as determine the correct profile for a given topographic
map.
7. Analyze GPS images for contour profiles and topographic features, and calculate directions and distances
between two points on a GPS image.
8. Analyze aerial and satellite images of differing scales and identify earth features and landforms.
9. Compare topographic maps of different scales.
10. Locate points and directions on maps and globes using latitude and longitude.
11. Determine distance and elevation on a map.
12. Identify a hilltop, stream, and valley on a topographic map.
Concept Checks
Review the list of terms below. For each one, determine how well you understand the term or the concept that it
represents after having completed the review questions on the previous pages.
If you understand it thoroughly, place a check () in the space next to it. If you have heard of it but are less
certain about it, place a plus (+) in the space next to it. If you’ve never heard of it or simply can’t seem to
understand it, place an ‘o’ in the space next to it. Let the ‘o’ items help focus your studying.
/+/o
_____
Concept
map
longitude
latitude
legend
contour
contour interval
map scale
compass rose
topographic map
elevation
profile
hachure
coordinates
GPS