Name D~e UNDERSTANDING MAPS: lIThe...

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UNDERSTANDING MAPS:lIThe Lanquaqeof Geography"

• SociaL Studies Skills 21(A) Analyze and evaluate the validity and utility ofmultiple sources of geographic information such as ... maps .

• SociaL Studies Skills 21(C} Create and interpret different maps to answergeographic questions, infer relationships, and analyze change.

In this chapter, you will learn to speak the language of geography. You will explorehow to read maps and interpret map symbols.

AN EssHow do maps help us to represent geog aphic information?

A. Different types of maps are used to show a variety of different information.

B. Maps can be used to answer geographic questions, infer relationships, andanalyze change.

• Maps• leget1d• CotltpaSs ({ose

• Seale• 1hetMatil} Map• latitude

• Lottgitude• Equator• Pritlte Meridiat1

, A famous geographer, Harm de Blij, once called maps "the language of geography." They1 help geographers communicate information and better understand the relationship of peo-

ple to the places where they live. A map is a fiat, two-dimensional representation of space.With maps, geographers can show how places are influenced by their location and how dif-ferent places affect each other. Maps can be used to answer geographic questions, to make

, connections, to infer relationships, and to analyze change.

31

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32 MASTERING THE TEKS IN WORLD GEOGRAPHY

Each map is really a diagram of a larger area. It shows where things are located. Every maphas certain features you should be familiar with.

TITLEThe title of the map describes the information it presents. For example, the title of the mapbelow is: Australia. It shows the continent of Australia with many of its geographical fea-tures. These features include major cities, surrounding oceans, mountains, and deserts .

.----------1 AUSTRALIA 1-----------.

Brisbane

INDIANOCEAN

N

w~,PACIFIC YOCEAN S

o Capital city -:0 Mountains• Other cities i~~ Deserts

BASS STRAiT 0 250 500 MilesI 111----1

o 250 500 Kilometers

LEGENDThe legend lists the symbols used on the map, including any special colors or shading, andidentifies what each symbol represents. For example, according to the legend on the mapabove:o This symbol represents the

capital of Australia.

8 This symbol represents othercities found in Australia.

I 'l0~~ I This sy~bol representsmountams.

This symbol representsdeserts.

COMPASS ROSEThe compass rose shows where the four basic directions - north, south, east, and west- are found on the map. If a map has no compass rose, then you should assume that northis at the top of the map.

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CHAPTER3: Understanding Maps: JJThe Language of Geoqraphy" 33

SCALEA map would be impossible to use if it were the same size as the area it shows. Cartographers(mapmakers) reduce the size ofthe map to fit onto a page. The scale is used to show how muchthe map has been reduced. It shows the actual distance between places on the map. Map scalesare often shown as a line marked: Scale of Miles. For example, on this map one inch represents500 miles.

To find specific information on a map, you often have to use the legend and other mapfeatures. For example, if you want to find where Australia's capital city is located, here iswhat you would need to do:

.• Look at the legend to see how the capital city is represented. Here, you will see that astar inside a circle indicates the capital city ..

.• Then examine the map to find the circled star. The capital city is Canberra, which canbe found near the coastline in the southeast comer of Australia.

Use the map on page 32 and your knowledge of social studies to answerthe following questions.

1 What is the approximate distance between Melbourne and Sidney?A about 250 miles C about 500 kilometersB about 475 miles D more than 500 miles

2 Based on the map, which statement about Australia is most accurate?F Australia is the largest nation in the Pacific Ocean.G Most of its major cities are located on or near the coastline.H The city of Darwin is less than 500 miles from Brisbane.J Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra are located on the west coast.

A map shows how different features of a place relate to one another. You can often inferrelationships or draw conclusions from the map. For example, for the map on page 32:

.• Based on the map, where are Australia's largest cities located?* Where are Australia's deserts located? Are any of its major cities found in desert areas?

.• What relationship can be inferred between the location of Australia's deserts and its cities?

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There is almost no limit to the kind of information that can be shown on a map. For thisreason, there are many types of maps:

* Physical maps show the major physical features of an area, such as its rivers, moun-tains, vegetation and elevation (height above sea level).* Political maps show the major boundaries between countries or states.

* Historical maps show political boundaries from the past. With a historical map, youshould pay close attention to the names of countries, political borders, and the locationof cities. These may be different than they are today.

* Thematic maps show information relating to a specific theme, such as the spread of areligion, trade routes, or the industrial growth of a nation.* Population density maps show where people live in a specific area.

* Resource or Product maps show the major natural resources and agricultural andindustrial products of an area.

The legend canbe found on theupper right comer ofthe map. Each shadeof gray on the mapindicates a furtherstage in the spread ofChristianity. By 400 A.D., Christianity was already established in Italy, France, Spain, AsiaMinor and parts of North Africa. By 800 A.D. the Christian religion had spread to includeBritain and Germany.

For example, themap to the right dealswith the spread ofa major religion inthe ancient world.The title of the map,The Spread of Chris-tianity, shows howChristianity spreadacross Europe, NorthAfrica, and South-west Asia.

w~'s

AFRICA

r----------,Io Miles 750

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CHAPTER3: Understanding Maps: "The Language of Geography" 35

Use the map on page 34 and your knowledge of social studies to answerthe following questions.

3 According to the map, when did Christianity first reach Constantinople on theBlack Sea?A by 400 A.D. C between 8010and 1100 A.D.B between 400 A.D. and 800 A.D. Dafter 1100 A.D.

4 Which conclusion can best be drawn from this map?F Christianity spread eastwards to Germany and Russia.G Christianity reached Russia before it reached Spain.H Christianity spread from Europe to Palestine.J Scandinavians brought Christianity across the North Sea to Britain.

Geographers often compare two or more maps to find information about an area. A series ofseveral maps of the same area at different time period can be especially helpful to see howthat area has changed over time.

Geographers may also compare different types of maps of the same area with differentkinds of information. For example, the map below shows the average annual rainfall inNorth Africa and the Middle East. As you can see from examining the map, many parts ofthis area are extremely dry:

[JJ - SELDOM RAINS

~ ] LIGHT RAIN(10-40 inches/year)

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Now look at the map below. It shows where people live in the same area. You willlearn more about population density maps later on in this book. The legend indicates thatmore people live in the areas with darker shading. By comparing this map with the one onpage 35, a geographer can draw conclusions about the relationship of rainfall in an area andwhere people choose to live.

E U

PEOPLE PER SQUARE MILE

25-125 ~

L-- L.- --'- O~'~~~=~~~O_O_____I

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••• '1•••••••••••••••• , ••••••••••••••

ACfING- AS AN AMAfEUR g.EOg.I~PHER__ Im!__

* Describe the pattern of rainfall in Algeria shown on the first map.

* Now describe where most people in Algeria live, based on themap above:

* What relationship do you see between annual rainfall and where many people in theMiddle East and North Africa live?

* Egypt has very little rainfall, yet parts of it are densely populated. Why?

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1. • • • • • • • • • • 1e 41 • • • • • • • • • • • • •

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- lATITUDE AND ILONGITUDE 1 : ,, I

Geographers have created two sets of imaginary lines - latitude and longitude - tomake it possible to identify every location precisely on Earth's surface.

LATITUDELatitudes are imaginary horizontal lines that runparallel across the Earth. The equator is the mostimportant latitude line. The equator (identifiedas 0°) stretches around the middle of the Earth.All other latitude lines are identified by how farnorth or south of the equator they are. Each lati-tude line is assigned a number ill degrees to showits distance from the equator, from 1° to 90°. An"N" or "S" is added after the number of degreesto show if the line is north or south of the equa-tor. For example, a latitude 37 degrees north ofthe equator would be written as 37°N.

North Pole

South Pole

LONGITUDELongitudes are imaginary lines that run up anddown the Earth. All the longitude lines meet atboth the North and South Poles. The PrimeMeridian (identified as 0°) is the most impor-tant longitude line, since it divides Earth intotwo hemispheres. The half west of the PrimeMeridian is the Western Hemisphere; the halfto the east is the Eastern Hemisphere. Goingin either direction from the Prime Meridian,longitude lines increase from IOta 1800

• Geographers add "E" or "W" to show if theline is east or west of the Prime Meridian. For example, 1000E.

When latitude andlongitude lines are shownon a map, they form agrid pattern. By knowing + =where latitude and longi-tude lines meet, we canidentify the location ofany place on Earth.

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Complete the graphic organizer below. Define or describe each term.

Name . Date


•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••ACfING- AS AN AMAfEUR G-EOG-RAPHER 1__ 611;1_ 8IIlIii!i1

How good a cartographer are you? Let's find out. Make a small mapof your home and surrounding neighborhood. Show any schools,stores, hospitals, museums, factories, places of worship or otherimportant buildings. Be sure to include a legend, compass rose and scale of miles.To help you make your map, you might want to look up your community on Google

• (maps. google/com) , Yahoo (maps.yahoo/com), Mapquest (www.mapquest.com) or anysimilar website. There you can find a satellite view of your community, Use the spacebelow to create your map.

•

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

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" ; . - .. .'

Directions: Put a circle around the letter that best answers the question.

Use the map and your knowledge of social studies to answer questions I and 2.

POPULATION DENSITY AND NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE c.I.S.

4'8- , ,0 Miles 1000

ARCTIC ":;, \PAC/FtC

,->

\\ i. OCEANtJ \ "-!:

a \ \ "'->

? ~!\~,

/ '--.,,\IE> [ Sean! .,

'"Okiwl.lk .~

RUSSIA a !~,--",-"'" '~'>. •

e Cv\~ .1:f< "'\l!

z" -~::tt Iron ore i

Ni!'ura! 9.JS CU Copper

W' Cr;a] e Gold

d! Mdnuf<Ktu"09 Zn Lon(

1 Which conclusion is most accurate based on the information in the map?A The most densely populated areas are in eastern Russia. (SSSZl(W)B Most cities of one million are located near the Arctic.C Areas near manufacturing centers often have a higher population density.D The most densely populated areas are found near gold mining areas.

j;XAMINE the que5tion. Thie question tests your ability to interpreta map. !SECALL what you know. You should recall that the legendhere shows cities, population density, and major economic activities.ApPLY what you know. Choice A is wrong. Most heavily populated cit-ies are in the west. Choice B is wrong. There are no cities over onemillion near the Arctic. Choice D is also incorrect. No large populationcenters are near gold mining areas. Choice C is the best answer. Mosthigher population density areas are near manufacturing centers.

* The test will assess various social studies skills along with the mastery of other objectives. In this chapter, wehave identified some of the questions, indicated by an asterisk, solely by their skills.

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2

Now try answering some additional questions on your own:

Based on the map, which economic activities are found in the northernmost parts ofRussia, close to the Arctic Ocean?F manufacturingG mining and oilH recreationJ natural gas

(sss 21(C)*)• J;XAMINE The Questi(m• RECALLWhat You Know- ,• ApPLY Wha~You Know

Use the map of Eastern Europe and your knowledge of social studies to answer questions 3through 6.

4 The reasonthat Chile,Cuba, andMexico are not included on themap is that they were-

-="~--ccF located outside (S~S21(A}')the geographicarea shown

G not considered satellites ofthe U.S.S.R.

H provinces of PolandJ members of the North

Atlantic TreatyOrganization

5 Based on the map, how are Italy and Greece similar?A Both are surrounded by water on all but one side.B Both border on Bulgaria.C Both are located on the equator.D Both were once satellites of the Soviet Union.

3 A "satellite" is a country underthe control of another coun-try. Which nation is identifiedon the map as a satellite of theSoviet Union (U.S.S.R)?A Turkey CO:::SS=-S-=-21-=(C:::C)""-)

B YugoslaviaC GreeceD Romania

..---==~EASTERN EUROPE IN 196010------.MOSCDWO

• Minsk

U.S.S.R.

• Kiev

D Satellites ofthe USSR

~ Westerr EuropeNeutral a 100

I I

(sss 21(C)*)

(sss 21(C)*)

6 Which of the following statements is accurate according to the map?F East and West Germany were satellites of the Soviet Union.G Yugoslavia and Hungary were neutral nations.H Sofia was the capital city of Bulgaria.J Minsk was a Soviet city that bordered the Black Sea.

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CHAPTER 3: Understanding Maps: "The Language of Geography" 43

Which feature would most likely appear on a physical map?A population densityB capital citiesC languages spokenD mountain ranges

• !)AMINET~e Question• RECAllWhat You Know• ApPLY What You Know- ,

7(555 21(A}*)

8 Which question could a geographer best investigate with a series of maps?F how religious beliefs influence popular customs ("'sS==S'C2CTi"(Acc)*C'JG how economic events affect people's savings rateH how the products made in an area change over timeJ how people influence governmental decisions

9 A primary reason that geographers study maps is to --A predict changes in government policiesB infer relationships hetween people and placesC understand the time order in which an event unfoldedD appreciate the value systems of world cultures

(555 21(E)*)

Use the map of Bangladesh and your knowledge of social studies to answer questions 10through 12.

10 Based on the information in the map,most land in Bangladesh is used for--F high-tech industries (555 21(E)* )G agricultureH manufacturingJ logging

11 To check the validity of this map, ageographer could best use --A the journals of (CC-SS=SCC2t"(-=-E)f)

ancient travelers tosee how land uses have changed

B aerial photography to see if forestand farm areas correspond withthose shown on the map

C local newspapers for job adver-tisements in these occupations

D a population density map to seewhere people are located

INDIA

BAY OFBENGAL

BURMAIndustryo Agriculture I

o MilesI

250

12 The land immediately surrounding Dhaka is most involved in --F farming H loggingG computer services J manufacturing

(sss 21(9*)

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• ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••: ACTING- AS AN AMATEUR G-EOG-RAPHER_~~_•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• III •••••••••••••••••••••••••••

* Below are two maps of Iraq. One map shows annual rainfall andthe other shows land use in Iraq. !

AVERAGE ANNUAL RAINFALL OF IRAQ

80-240 mm

~ 241-650 mm

!Ill 651-1100 mm

oI I

200 Kilometers

• Woodland/forest

illMeadows. Pastures.Rough grazing,Nomadic herding

~ Arable land.Irrigated farming

~ Wasteland

o

, Grains

f Dates

t Vegetables

Q Cotton

oI I

200 Kilometerso

* Describe the relationship between annual rainfall and the ways in which the land isused in Iraq, based on these two maps.

------------------------------~--------------- ..--------------.Important Features of a Map

Title. Describes what the map is about.Compose Rose. Shows basic directions.ScaLe. Shows what distances on the maprepresent.Legend. Identifies what any symbols on themap represent.

Types 0 MapsI

~

:I _

I* Physical Maps show major physical features:

rivers, mountai ns, elevations.* Political Maps show major boundaries.* Thematic Maps show information relatingto a particular theme.* Population Density MJapsshows where peo-ple in a certain area live.

-Ie Resource or Product Maps show naturalresources, and agricultural and other products.

Name D~e UNDERSTANDING MAPS: lIThe...

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