Location

Location Absolute: Relative: The exact place where something is. Use: maps globes latitude longitude address Relative: A description of where a place is compared to something else. Use: On __ continent next door to __ near ____

Absolute Location We will learn about reading globes and maps this year. Things you will learn are: 1. Finding location using Latitude and Longitude 2. Reading a map 3. GPS

There are two types of lines that divide the Earth into hemispheres There are two types of lines that divide the Earth into hemispheres. They are latitude and longitude lines. They are measured in degrees. You will use this symbol º to represent degrees. The lines make up a set of coordinates in which the latitude line is listed first than the longitude line is listed last. Latitude Lines The latitude lines are horizontal and go around the Earth. They measure distance north or south from the equator. These lines are parallel and never cross. The equator is the only latitude line that is a great circle. They get smaller around as they near the north and south poles. The equator is at 0º latitude. The north and south pole are at 90º latitude. There are 90º between the equator and the poles.

The Equator is 0º latitude. Refer to page A. The Equator divides the earth into the northern and southern hemispheres. The Equator is 0º latitude. On your paper label the Northern and Southern hemispheres. Label the equator Label the North and South Poles.

Special Lines of Latitude Tropic of Cancer: 23 ½ N Tropic of Capricorn: 23 ½ S Arctic Circle: 66 ½ N Antarctic Circle: 66 ½ S North Pole: 90 N South Pole: 90 S Equator 0

Longitude Lines All lines of longitude are great circles. Longitude lines measure the distance east or west of the Prime Meridian. The Prime Meridian is at 0º longitude. There are 180º between the Prime Meridian and the International Date Line. Longitude lines are not parallel because they meet at the North and South Poles.

Continents, Oceans and Hemispheres Northern Hemisphere North America Europe Asia Arctic Ocean Southern Hemisphere Australia Antarctica Indian Ocean Southern Ocean Both Pacific Ocean Atlantic Ocean Africa South America

World Map Divided into Hemispheres

Maps A map is a flat picture of all or part of the Earth. A map must have the following: Legend/Key: A small section on a map that explains what the symbols mean. Symbol: A mark or small drawing on a map that represents something else. Scale: A small chart that shows the distances represented on a map. Compass Rose: Shows the directions north, south, east and west. The four directions are called cardinal directions Title: This tells what the map is used for.

Map Projections Globes are the most accurate way to represent the surface of the Earth. However, because it is not practical to carry a globe into the field, map makers must figure out how to represent a round map on a flat piece of paper, or on a flat screen.

Cylindrical Projection A cylindrical projection (Mercator) map is the most common type of map that we see. Imagine placing the movie screen around the globe in a cylinder shape. The projection that results is depicted in this image. Notice that areas close to the equator have very little distortion. However, the closer to the poles that one travels, the more distorted the map becomes. In this example, Greenland appears to be many times larger than it really is. Most of our maps are this type of map. Notice that Greenland appears to be the same size as south America. In reality South America is more than 8 times larger than Greenland. 

Interrupted Projection There are many different types of interrupted projection maps. These types of maps try to depict the continents as accurately as possible by leaving blank space in the less important areas of the map, such as in the oceans. 

Maps are usually set up on a grid system Maps are usually set up on a grid system. A grid is a set of equally spaced horizontal and vertical lines that form squares. This may be latitude and longitude or by letters and numbers. What street runs through A1? What is located at E3?

Types of Maps Physical Map: Show the physical features of an area. Political Map: Show the man-made boundaries of countries and regions. Special-Purpose Map: A kind of map that gives one particular kind of information

GPS Global Positioning System The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a space-based satellite navigation system that provides location and time information in all weather conditions, anywhere on or near the Earth where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites. GPS receivers come in a variety of formats, from devices integrated into cars, phones, and watches, to dedicated devices such as these.

If you can do everything we have practiced and taken notes over you are well on your way to becoming a geographer! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4snT568DVY