Elements of a Map

Reading Maps Map Parts Title Legend or Key Grid System Compass Scale

Map Title Map Title – Tells us the purpose of the map.

Map Legend or Key Key or Legend – A table of symbols used to explain a map 

Compass Compass - used to orient a map toward north

Map Scale Map Scale - a ratio which compares a measurement on a map to the actual distance between locations identified on the map

Grid System

Latitude The set of lines crossing the Earth’s surface horizontally, Moving east and west. The equator is the 0 degree line of latitude

Longitude A set of lines that run vertically along the Earth’s surface from the North Pole to the South Pole The prime meridian is the 0 degree longitude line.

Finding an Absolute Location

Hemispheres The earth can be divided into halves. Each of these halves is called a hemisphere.