Reading & Interpreting Reading & Interpreting Maps Maps

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Common Types of MapsCommon Types of Maps

General Reference – General Reference – ‘compromise’ maps that show world ‘compromise’ maps that show world layoutlayout

Projections – Projections – transfer the round globe to a flat paper to show true transfer the round globe to a flat paper to show true area, distance, shape, direction, etc.area, distance, shape, direction, etc.

Charting maps – Charting maps – used for navigationused for navigation

Topical Maps – Topical Maps – focus on a single topicfocus on a single topic

Cartograms – Cartograms – show statisticsshow statistics

Topographic Maps! – Topographic Maps! – Show elevation and Show elevation and physical features of land (natural and manmade)physical features of land (natural and manmade)

Hemispheres - using the equator and prime meridian, the world is divided into 4 hemispheres – North/South, East/West

CompassCompass A compass is a tool that helps A compass is a tool that helps

the user know what direction the user know what direction one is headed.one is headed.

On a map, a compass or a On a map, a compass or a compass rosecompass rose helps the user helps the user locate these directions.locate these directions.

There are four cardinal directions on a There are four cardinal directions on a compass - North, South, East & West. compass - North, South, East & West. In between are the directions In between are the directions northeast, northwest, southeast, northeast, northwest, southeast, southwest. southwest.

Compass RoseCompass Rose The needle on a compass is The needle on a compass is

magnetized to point to the earth's magnetized to point to the earth's north magnetic pole. north magnetic pole.

The Magnetic North Pole strays The Magnetic North Pole strays slightly from True North, the point slightly from True North, the point where Earth’s center axis is.where Earth’s center axis is.

The difference between these 2 The difference between these 2 points is called Magnetic Declinationpoints is called Magnetic Declination

Source: http://aerocompass.larc.nasa.gov

ScaleScale Maps are made to scale; that is, there Maps are made to scale; that is, there

is a direct connection between a unit is a direct connection between a unit of measurement on the map and the of measurement on the map and the actual distance.actual distance.

For example, each inch on the map For example, each inch on the map represents one mile on Earth. So, a represents one mile on Earth. So, a map of a town would show a mile-long map of a town would show a mile-long strip of fast food joints and auto strip of fast food joints and auto dealers in one inch.dealers in one inch.

Scale

Time ZonesTime Zones

The Earth is divided into 24 time The Earth is divided into 24 time zones, corresponding to 24 hours in zones, corresponding to 24 hours in a day. a day.

As the earth rotates, the sun shines As the earth rotates, the sun shines in different areas, moving from east in different areas, moving from east to west during the course of a day. to west during the course of a day.

Places that have the same Places that have the same longitudelongitude will be in the same time will be in the same time zone.zone.

Map LegendsMap Legends The legend is the key to unlocking the The legend is the key to unlocking the

secrets of a map. Objects or colors in secrets of a map. Objects or colors in the legend represent something on the the legend represent something on the map. map.

Religions Legend

Can you understand this Can you understand this legend?legend?

Age ExpectancyAge Expectancy

Legend

Topographic MapsTopographic Maps

Use Use Contour LinesContour Lines to show Physical to show Physical Relief and elevations.Relief and elevations.