CGC 1D Wusssuuuupppp with Maps??? An Intro to mapping skills

What is Geography? 1. Locational factors (eg. Tim Horton's!) The study of the Earth’s physical and human systems and the relationship among them. The five main areas of investigation for geographers include: 1. Locational factors (eg. Tim Horton's!) 2. Geographical systems (eg. hurricane impact) 3. Interactions between people and the environment (eg. global warning) 4. Global connections between regions and countries (eg. trade) 5. Special tools and skills (eg. GIS)

What is a map? A map is a representation of the earth's features drawn on a flat surface maps use symbols and colours to represent the features of an area all maps need a TITLE, BORDER, LEGEND, DIRECTION, AND SCALE

Types of Maps? Topographic maps 1. General-purpose maps Considerable amounts of information found on one map could include such items as water, roads, soil, rails, parks, elevations, towns, and cities 2. Thematic maps Presents specific information about a place eg. drainage patterns, vegetation, elevation probably the easiest to understand Topographic maps Used to examine a small area of the earth's surface in detail can show physical features, human features, direction and location, and elevation etc…

Playin’ with maps… Techniques for locating places on a map: Compass points and Bearings Grid Systems Alphanumeric Military Latitude and longitude

Compass points and bearings Compass Points: on most maps, references to compass points are shown on the compass rose the four principal points on a compass are called cardinal points, (N – E – S – W) while the four secondary points are called ordinal points (NE – SE – SW – NW) Compass bearings: degrees on a compass, measured in clockwise direction from 0° (North) to 360° Compass rose: diagram, in the shape of a flower, showing directions (compass points) and bearings (measured clockwise from north) used to indicate direction on maps) (seepg. 31)

2. Grid systems: The most common way to locate a place on a map 2. Grid systems: The most common way to locate a place on a map. There are 3 different grid systems. (see p. 32-34) 1) Alphanumerica Grid uses letters and numerals to identify squares in a grid pattern. It is often used for road maps. It is identified by a letter along on edge of the map and a number along another (pg. 32) 2) Military Grids use a series of blue lines and numbers, used to locate places on a topographic map (see p. 34) Always read RIGHT / UP vertical lines are called EASTINGS , horizontal lines are called NORTHINGS

Latitude and Longitude 3) LATITUDE and LONGITUDE are the most commonly used grid systems that divide the earth into a series of grid squares they actually are measured as angles, with the centre of each angle at the centre of the globe Latitude represents the distance north or south of the equator, measured in degrees (eg. Equator is O degrees latitude) also known as PARALLELS Longitude represents the distance east or west of the prime meridian, measured in degress (eg. Prime Meridian is 0 degrees longitude) also known as MERIDIANS

Latitude is read first! Longitude is read second.

Earth’s Regions

Resources To find out more about longitude and latitude see: Longitude and latitude of a point: http://itouchmap.com/latlong.html Learn about planet earth - longitude and latitude: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1E0I4eLKNI How to read Longitude and latitude coordinates: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUMlmRzkuuY How to get Google maps Longitude and latitude: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZ8a1aadfBc