Maps & Map Elements

Grid System  Imaginary lines used to find location  Circle the globe East to West and North to South

Latitude  Horizontal lines of location that run East to West  Called parallels  Measure distance from North to South of the Equator  Equator: Seperates the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres

Equator/Tropic of Cancer/Tropic of Capricorn

Equator: Line of 0° located at the middle of the Earth, runs East to West Hot, wet climate Tropic of Cancer: line of latitude 23.5° N Sun directly overhead June 21st Tropic of Capricorn: line of latitude S Sun directly overhead December 21st Both have very hot and dry climates

Longitude  Vertical lines of location that run North to South  Called Meridians  Measure distance East and West of the Prime Meridian, located at Greenwich, England  Prime Meridian: Seperates the Earth into the Eastern and Western Hemispheres

Watch the Latitude/Longitude video in the link below

Apply your knowledge Using your textbook atlases find and record the following: Using your textbook atlases find and record the following: Two countries located on the Equator Two countries located on the Equator One country located on the Tropic of Cancer One country located on the Tropic of Cancer One country located on the Tropic of Capricorn One country located on the Tropic of Capricorn Two countries located on the Prime Meridian Two countries located on the Prime Meridian One country located on the 180° meridian One country located on the 180° meridian 10 minutes, ready, set, go!

Great Circle Routes Travel routes used to determine the shortest distance between two points on a map

Cardinal Direction North North NW, NE, NW, NE, East East South South SW, SE, SW, SE, West West ON YOUR NOTE SHEET: ON YOUR NOTE SHEET: Which direction are you facing right now? Which direction are you facing right now?

Compass Rose Symbol found on most maps indicating cardinal direction First used as a navigation tool in the 14 th century Called a rose because its points looked like rose petals

ON YOUR NOTE SHEET Draw a labeled compass rose Draw a labeled compass rose

Legend  A box or space that contains information and symbols to help make sense of a map  Customized to map type and purpose

ON YOUR NOTE SHEET What is one symbol you might see in a map legend? What is one symbol you might see in a map legend? Draw what that symbol might look like Draw what that symbol might look like

Scale  A ratio representing distance on a map that corresponds to distance on the ground

Relief vs. Contour  Shows changes in elevation above sea level with contour lines  Shows hills, valleys, and mountains through shading

Time Zones  a range of longitudes where a common standard time is used Mountain Time Zone

Direction Challenge By yourself or with a partner go to the following locations and record which direction you are facing to decode the message By yourself or with a partner go to the following locations and record which direction you are facing to decode the message 1. The library doors looking into the library 2. The outer most front doors (at the vestibule) looking out into the parking lot) 3. The