Longitude lines – Drawn on maps as reference points. Run North and South Prime Meridian is zero degrees longitude Prime Meridian runs from North to South Pole

Latitude lines – Drawn on maps as reference points Run East and West Equator is zero degrees latitude Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn are lines of latitude

Referred to as half the globe There are four hemispheres Western Hemisphere Eastern Hemisphere Northern Hemisphere Southern Hemisphere

Large scale – more details Small scale – less details Cartographers decide what scale to use by determining how much detail is needed on the map. Large scale – more details Small scale – less details Usually very accurate on standardized tests Since scale uses numerical fractions or ratios they are understood in any language

A way of showing a curved surface like the Earth on a flat map Projections A way of showing a curved surface like the Earth on a flat map Flat maps distort size, shape, and direction

Shows landforms and bodies of water in a specific area Physical Maps Shows landforms and bodies of water in a specific area You can learn relative location and characteristics of places in a region Color, shading, or contour lines are used to show elevations or altitudes, also called relief

Most students are familiar and comfortable reading this type of map Political Maps Most students are familiar and comfortable reading this type of map Shows features and boundaries that humans have created on the Earth’s surface Political maps may be of cities, states, provinces, territories, and countries Disputes over boundaries occur, even in the USA

Legend and title contain vital information about map Thematic Maps These maps focus on specific ideas such as climate, types of vegetation, natural resources, population densities, and economic activities Legend and title contain vital information about map Some Thematic maps show historical trends others may focus on movement of people or ideas 3 types of Thematic maps: Qualitative, Cartogram, and Flow Line Maps

Qualitative Maps Colors, symbols, dots, or lines are used to help show patterns related to specific ideas Like all maps, the legend and title are vital to understanding what information is being presented

Presents information about a country other than its shape or size Cartograms Presents information about a country other than its shape or size In other words a cartogram may not look like a physical or political map as it relates to the size and shape The size of the country or state will be determined by data not its actual land size Energy Consumption

Illustrates movement of people, goods, or ideas Flow-Line Maps Illustrates movement of people, goods, or ideas Movement is shown by a series of arrows Width of arrow may show how extensive the flow is Often related to a period in time