Maps

In this class we are studying about maps. Online maps and offline maps. Copyright Right Brain Curriculum

Did you know the subject of making maps actually has a fancy name Did you know the subject of making maps actually has a fancy name? It is called cartography. And cartography goes back a long, long time! Copyright Right Brain Curriculum

The very first maps were not made of the Earth but of the night sky The very first maps were not made of the Earth but of the night sky. Maps have been found on cave walls that are over 18,000 years old. The maps showed the stars up in the sky that could be seen. Copyright Right Brain Curriculum

Early land maps have also been shown on cave walls. It makes sense Early land maps have also been shown on cave walls. It makes sense. Even if you were a caveman or cavewoman tens of thousands of years ago, a map might be helpful. Copyright Right Brain Curriculum

Let’s say you want to meet a fellow caveman somewhere. You might carve a map on a cave wall for him. It might show trees nearby, or rivers or hills. That way you would know where to meet Copyright Right Brain Curriculum

That’s really all a map is That’s really all a map is. A way to show the places around you in a helpful way. Copyright Right Brain Curriculum

Another helpful thing to know is directions Another helpful thing to know is directions. Knowing which way is North, East, South & West will help you follow your map. Copyright Right Brain Curriculum

To know which way is North, it is helpful to have a compass To know which way is North, it is helpful to have a compass. A compass always points to the North. Copyright Right Brain Curriculum

Maps usually show which is way is North too Maps usually show which is way is North too. You will often see a “compass rose” on a map, which tells which direction is which. N stands for North Copyright Right Brain Curriculum

Most maps also have another guide called a KEY or LEGEND Most maps also have another guide called a KEY or LEGEND. This tells you what the symbols on the map means. Copyright Right Brain Curriculum

For instance, the KEY might tell you that… A squiggly blue line stands for a river Or a black line with crossed lines stands for a railroad Or that a red line is an interstate highway Copyright Right Brain Curriculum

It is very important to know what the symbols on a map stand for, otherwise you won’t be able to read the map. Copyright Right Brain Curriculum

There are also many different types of maps There are also many different types of maps. Here we see what is called a Climate Map. It is used to show the weather in different areas. Copyright Right Brain Curriculum

This type of map is called a physical map This type of map is called a physical map. It shows rivers, lakes and mountains. It also uses different color to show high and low areas. Like the orange part here is the Rocky Mountains… Copyright Right Brain Curriculum

Here we see what is called a political map Here we see what is called a political map. This type of map doesn’t show mountains or height. Instead it focuses on the names of cities and towns as well as the borders. Copyright Right Brain Curriculum

On a political map, capital cities are usually shown with a star or a circle. Copyright Right Brain Curriculum

Road Maps mainly exist to show where roads, streets, highways and railroads are located. They are very helpful if you are lost! Copyright Right Brain Curriculum

And Resource Maps show what things certain regions produce And Resource Maps show what things certain regions produce. For instance, if you see an orange next to Florida, that means Florida sells a lot of oranges to the rest of the country. Or a potato next to Idaho means that they grow potatoes there. Copyright Right Brain Curriculum

Here is an example of one... Copyright Right Brain Curriculum

For thousands of years, there were only offline maps For thousands of years, there were only offline maps. Now we have maps on computers and online that are making maps even more useful! Copyright Right Brain Curriculum