The Early Ages – Era 1

Components of a Map

Basic Geographic Landforms

Lesson 1-2

Components of a World Map

• Compass rose – direction finder on a map

Components of a World Map

• Cardinal directions – North– South– East– West

• Intermediate directions – Northeast and Northwest– Southeast and Southwest

Components of a World Map

• Map scale – compares distance on a map to distance in the real world

0 100 200

1” = 100 miles

Components of a World Map

• Latitude lines – A series of imaginary lines, also called parallels, that circle the Earth parallel to the Equator; used to measure a distance north or south of the Equator in degrees.

Components of a World Map

• Longitude lines - A series of imaginary lines, also called meridians, that run north and south, from one pole to the other; used to measure the distance east or west of the Prime Meridian in degrees.

Components of a World Map

• Continents – large landmasses – North America – South America – Europe – Africa – Asia – Australia– Antarctica

Components of a World Map

• Oceans – major bodies of saltwater– Pacific Ocean– Atlantic Ocean– Arctic Ocean– Indian Ocean

Basic Geographic Forms

• Rivers – a stream of water bigger than a creek that empties into an ocean or lake

• River mouth – the point where a river enters a lake or sea

Basic Geographic Forms

• Bay – a body of water that is partly surrounded by land and is connected to a larger body of water

Basic Geographic Forms

• Lakes – inland body of fresh (salt) water

Basic Geographic Forms

• Oceans – great body of salt water that covers 71% of the earth’s surface

Basic Geographic Forms

• Mountains – a landform that rises steeply at least 2000 feet above the surrounding land

Basic Geographic Forms

• Plateau – high, flat land with steep sides (Hint: a mountain with the top chopped off)

Basic Geographic Forms

• Deserts – dry land with few plants

Basic Geographic Forms

• Plains – a large area of flat or gently rolling land

Basic Geographic Forms

• Coastal plain – flat land along an ocean or sea