Map Skills Ms. Robinson

Activate Prior Knowledge! Longitude and latitude are used to: a. Tell the difference between cultures. b. Locate places on a world map. c. Navigate rivers. d. Get from one highway to another.   Latitude is labeled: a. North and East b. West and South c. North and South d. East and West Longitude goes from: a. North to East b. West to South c. North to South d. East to West

Symbols A picture that is used to represent an object on a map.

Cardinal directions The four major compass points of North, South, East and West, used to navigate a map.

Compass Rose A design on a map that shows the directions.

Scale Represents the distance between two locations on a map. Example: 1 inch on the map equals 1 mile on the ground.

Political and physical maps

Political Map A Political Map shows the boundaries and locations of political units. Political units are communities that are united under a government. Countries, states, counties, cities, and towns are political units. Many features depicted on a political map are made by humans.

Physical Map Physical Maps: A physical map shows the location and the topography, or shape, of the Earth’s geographic forms.  You use the SCALE to find the elevation.

What makes this a physical map?

What makes this a political map?

How do you tell the difference! How to tell the difference between a physical and political map: Identify what the map is showing. Ask: Is the main focus of the map made by humans or nature? Made by humans? ➔ Political Map Made by nature? ➔ Physical Map

Political or Physical?

Political or Physical?

Political or Physical?

Political or Physical?

Political or Physical?

Political or Physical?

Resource Maps Resource maps show the natural resources found in a region. Use the map key to find the location of resources.

Map Projections

Why do mapmakers have to distort maps? The world is a sphere… but maps are flat!

4 ways mapmakers can distort maps SHAPE AREA DISTANCE DIRECTION Think…. Mapmakers are “SADD”

Azimuthal Projection Projects part of the globe onto a flat surface Shows directions accurately but distorts shapes Often used for the polar regions. Azimuthal Projection

Homolosine Projection Resembles a flattened peel of an orange Accurately shows shape and area of landmasses by cutting up the oceans Does not show distance accurately Homolosine Projection

Mercator projection Shows much of the Earth accurately Distorts the shape and area of land near the north and south poles Shows direction accurately Good for navigation

Robinson Projection Combines the strength of other projections Shows the shape and area of the continents and oceans with reasonable accuracy North and South poles are distorted Robinson Projection

Winkel Tripel Projection Modified version of the Robinson Projection Has less distortion of area and shape Winkel Tripel Projection

Lets work with some maps!!! 