Map Skills

Safari Montage maps! (20min)

What is a map?

A map is a representation, usually on a flat surface, of the features of an area of the earth or a portion of the heavens, showing them in their respective forms, sizes, and relationships according to some convention of representation.

Now what does that mean?

A map is a representation, A map is a drawing or model

usually on a flat surface, of a round Earth on a flat surface,

of the features of an area of the earth that shows the landforms (mountains, rivers, etc.)

or a portion of the heavens, or part of the sky in a particular region,

showing them in their respective forms, sizes, and relationships

drawn to scale

according to some convention of representation.

using an accepted form of drawing or model.

Title page 19: What is a Map?A map is a drawing or model

of a round Earth on a flat surface, that shows the landforms (mountains, rivers, etc.)

or part of the sky in a particular region,drawn to scale

using an accepted form of drawing or model.

Pg 31

Parts of a MapTitleGrid

CompassKey or Legend

Scale

1. Title – The title of a map tells what the map is about. This is always the first part of the map that you should look at.

Q: What does this map show?

1. Title – The title of a map tells what the map is about. This is always the first part of the map that you should look at.

Q: This map shows “Significant Rivers of the Continental United States.”

2. Grid – geographers use imaginary lines that crisscross the globe to show location.

Equator = 0° latitude

north

south

Latitude – circle the Earth parallel to the Equator going north and south. * Also known as parallels.

Prime Meridian = 0° longitude

Longitude – circle the Earth from the North Pole to the South Pole and measure distance east and west of the Prime Meridian. * Also known as meridians

west

east

Draw a picture of each:

• Latitude

• Longitude

Draw your own compass Rose and label the Cardinal Directions on PAGE 20 of your composition notebook.

Draw your own Map Key or Legend on page 20.

KEY

* City

Use a ruler to create your own Scale on page 20.

1cm = 25 miles1 inch = 100 miles

World Map!

Continents

World Map

Southern Ocean

AfricaSouth America

Equator

North America

North Pole Europe

Asia

Australia

South PoleAntarctica

Prime MeridianWorld Map

Southern Ocean

Types of Maps

There are three basic types of maps:

• POLITICAL • PHYSICAL

and • SPECIAL PURPOSE.

Maps: Primary Sources Used to Present Date ___________________Map

* *

*

___________________Map

* *

*

Special- P Maps Use page 35 for notes

* can show c________, p_________ or n________ r_____________* road maps and historical maps are special-purpose maps

Summary:

Notes! Use this power point to complete these notes!

Political Maps

• show how humans have impacted the landscape.

• change frequently and must be redrawn often.

• Wars and ethnic conflict are two major causes political maps change.

Political Maps

Physical Maps

• show the natural features of the Earth.

• do not contain man made features.

• For example, a

physical map would be a map of what you would see if you were looking down on Earth from space.

When you look at this map, what do you see?

Notice you do not see country borders or city markings. These divisions are created by people. For example, there is no actual line dividing Texas from its bordering states.

Although some astronauts (with the use of binoculars believe it or not) are able to see roads, large ocean tankers, and even the Great Pyramids from space, at very high altitudes, none of these are visible and all you are left with are natural land formations.

Special Purpose Maps

• Thematic maps that can represent a variety of information including things like climate, population or natural resources. They can also show precipitation, vegetation, elevation, life expectancy, etc. There are countless things you can show on a special purpose map.

• Thematic maps are generally used when you are looking at a single piece of information.

Precipitation map of the United States

Agricultural Map of South America