Mapwork

Geography: Grade 8

What is a map?

A map is a generalised and reduced representation of (a portion of) the curved surface of the earth on a flat surface.

Topo-whaaat?• What is a topographic map?

– A map that shows the features of the Earth’s surface.

• What features are included?– Physical (natural) features (like hills, valleys, cliffs,

rivers, marshes, vegetation)– Constructed features (like towns, roads, railways

and sports fields).

How do we identify these

features?• Conventional signs indicate features on maps.• The use of colour aids the interpretation od

these symbols.

• A letter or symbol indicating a particular feature

What is a conventional

sign?Point Line Area

Where does colour come into the

picture?

Making it easier:

Distinguish between two types of landscape:• the natural / physical landscape

• the constructed / human landscape

• Five colours- Brown- Blue - Green- Black- Red

Symbol

Brown

Symbol

Blue

Symbol

Green

Symbol

Red

Symbol

Black

How do we find positions on

topographical maps?

• By using a grid reference we can easily pin point information on a map.

Equator (0°)

Northern Hemisphere

Southern Hemisphere

North Pole (90° N)

South Pole (90° S)

Latitude

We s

t ern

Hem

is ph e

r e

East

e rn

H em

is ph e

re

Gre e

nwich

Mer

idia

n 0 °

South Pole (90° S)

North Pole (90° N)

Longitude

Eas t

e rn

Hem

i sphe

re

Wes

tern

Hem

isphe

re

Northern Hemisphere

Southern Hemisphere

S;E

Latitude & longitude

A1 A2 A3 A4 A5

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

C1 C2 C3 C4 C5

D1 D2 D3 D4 D5

E1 E2 E3 E4 E5

F1 F2 F3 F4 F5

A

B

C

D

E

1

F

2 3 4 5

A

B

C

D

E

1

F

2 3 4 5