Mapping Earth’s Surface

Earth’s Surface Earth’s surface has many features that make it complicated to understand. Its not flat but round. Its not smooth but has landforms that determine topography. mountains, valleys, plateaus, and plains. To help make better sense of our earth we use different kinds to maps that each have similar features.

Map Features and Types All Maps have similar features: Bar Scale Compass Reference Lines There are also three different kinds of Maps used to represent Earth’s surface: Globe Map Grid

Bar Scales Maps are drawn to scale and use symbols to represent topography and other features on Earth’s surface. Scale – relates distance on a map to the actual distance on Earth’s surface. Given as a ratio - (1:25,000) For every 1 unit on the map = 25,000 units on the ground.

Reading and Using a Bar Scale Bar Scale A: What is the ratio? What is the scale? If I measured 3 inches, how many miles would this actually represent? Bar Scale B: What is the ratio: What is the scale? If I wanted to put 5.5 km on the map, how many cm would I use? 1:62,500 1:100,000 1 cm = 1 Km 1 inch = 1 mile 3 mi 5.5 cm

Compass A compass is used to show the direction one location is in relation to another. The equator is the line imaginary line that separates North from South. The Prime Meridian is the imaginary line that separates East from West. North NW NE West East SW SE South

Determining Direction From Ithaca, what direction is: New York City: Elmira: Rochester: Albany: From New York City, what direction is: Buffalo: SE SW NW NE N NW

Reference Lines To find a location on a map reference lines are used to find intersecting coordinates: Equator – an imaginary line that runs half way between the North and South Poles (0° N or S), horizontally Northern Hemisphere – the half of the sphere above the equator. Southern Hemisphere – the half of the sphere below the equator Prime Meridian – an imaginary line separates Eastern and Western Hemispheres. (0° E or W), vertically Cuts through Greenwich, England.

Labeling Reference Points Northern Hemisphere Western Hemisphere Eastern Hemisphere Southern Hemisphere

Reference Lines Latitude – Distances north or south of the equator. North Pole = 90° N South Pole = 90° S Longitude – Distances east or west of the Prime Meridian Prime Meridian = 0° Separated by 15° intervals = 360° 24 total meridian lines Each meridian line = 1 hr of time

Longitude & Latitude 90° 60° North 30° South 180° 180° 150° 120° 90° West East

Understanding Reference Points What are the coordinates for A? What are the coordinates for B? What letter is found at 0°, 140° W? What letter is found at 40° N, 60° E? 20° S, 100° E 80° N, 0° C E