Lesson One – Maps
1. Determine directions; Use a compass; Orient yourself
a. What direction are you now facing viewing your computer? N, NE, E,
SE, S, SW, W, or NW? A compass would tell you what direction you are
facing.
b. But if you do not have a compass, how can you determine the
direction? Let’s see how creative you can be. HINTS:
i. I-phone app
ii. If you are in a building in King County, use the King County
Parcel Viewer and “Search by Address” (put in ONLY street
number and street name, as shown in example – no N, NE, E,
SE, etc. directions)
iii. Other ways?
c. Once you know what direction you are facing, without moving, tell
yourself what direction is behind you, to your left, and to your right.
i. Again, without moving, pick four places you are familiar with
(e.g., favorite grocery store, local elementary school). What
direction are they from where you are sitting? ? N, NE, E, SE, S,
SW, W, or NW?
ii. Turn around 180 degrees. What direction are the same four
places? ? N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, or NW?
2. Read road, thematic, and topographic maps
a. Road Maps
Figure 1
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Figure 2
i.
ii.
Locate Highway 16 between Tacoma and Port Orchard.
What is the total distance between Interstate 5 where Highway
16 ends SW of Port Orchard?
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b. Thematic Maps: shaded relief
i. Click ONCE on downtown Seattle on the Washington State
Shaded Relief Map with Land Cover, and STOP. This shaded
relief map of western Washington clearly shows the locations
of the Olympic Mountains and the Cascade Mountain Range.
ii. Again, locate downtown Seattle on this map, then click ONCE
and STOP.
iii. Keep clicking (or double-clicking) on downtown Seattle until
you cannot zoom in anymore. Experiment with “+” and “-“
zooms, Road, Aerial, Bird’s eye and Labels.
c. Topographic Maps
i. This is a shaded-relief map of the area surrounding Mt. Rainier.
Figure 3
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Figure 4
ii.
An enlargement of this shaded-relief map.
iii.
This is a topographic map of Mt. Rainier.
Figure 5
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iv.
Figure 6
An enlargement of Mt. Rainier’s topographic map.
a.
Note on this topographic map that there is an
interval difference of 200 ft. between each dark line.
These “closed” circles are called contour lines and
the elevation above sea level is the same anywhere
along that line, no matter how much it wiggles or
varies. What then is the interval difference between
each “lighter” line?
b. Why would it be correct to say that the highest point
near “C” of Cascade Range is higher than 14,400
feet?
3. Locate latitude/longitude points on maps
Using the interactive Department of Ecology, State of Washington
Latitude/Longitude Maps double-click on the “WRIA” number of your
current location in Washington State. If you are out of Washington State,
select WRIA 8.
a. Find your current location (or find the location of Safeco Field).
b. What is the latitude/longitude of your location (or the location of
Safeco Field) in four-digits, i.e., XX.XX and XX.XX. Include the latitude
position (N or S) and the longitude position (E or W).
4. Making Mental Maps
These are the ultimate maps because these maps you carry with you in your
memory. They are what you “see” when you imagine a line between two or more
points, an area or an intersection. Quantity of information, accuracy of detail, and
scale are the important features of mental maps.
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a. Let’s start with a really simple example. Place your hand palms down
on a flat surface and spread your fingers. Look straight down at your
hand and note the largest and most obvious features: right-hand or
left-hand, four fingers and one thumb, finger nails, knuckles (how
many?). Now, close your eyes and picture your hand and mental go
through and recall each of these obvious features.
b. Now open your eyes, and let’s look at details: lines, scars, blemishes,
cuts, cuticles, length of nails, hairs, and color(s). Close your eyes and
recall each of these features.
c. One time will not be enough to give you a clear and accurate mental
image of your hand. Practice this several time during the day.
d. When you’re ready to advance to more sophistication, let’s practice
creating a mental map of Figure 6, above. Go through the same
procedure: start with large and obvious features: crater (bottom right
corner), number of “dark” lines, key. Close eyes and picture these
features.
e. Now open your eyes, and let’s look at details: names, elevations,
contour curves, and shading. Obviously, this is somewhat more
difficult and more abstract. Mentally picture these detailed features,
repeating often to sharpen your memory of details.
f. The last and final test: on a blank piece of paper, with Figure 6 out of
sight, draw Figure 6 with as much detail as you can recall. Check
accuracy of scale, position-placement, name recall, contour details,
and all other details.
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