Map Skills

What is a map? Now what does that mean? A map is a representation, usually on a flat surface, of the features of an area of the earth or a portion of the heavens, showing them in their respective forms, sizes, and relationships according to some convention of representation. Now what does that mean?

A map is a representation, usually on a flat surface, A map is a drawing or model usually on a flat surface, of a round Earth on a flat surface, of the features of an area of the earth that shows the landforms (mountains, rivers, etc.) or a portion of the heavens, or part of the sky in a particular region, showing them in their respective forms, sizes, and relationships drawn to scale according to some convention of representation. using an accepted form of drawing or model.

There are three basic types of maps: PHYSICAL POLITICAL and THEMATIC.

Physical Maps Physical maps show the natural features of the Earth. Physical maps do not contain man made features. For example, a physical map would be a map of what you would see if you were looking down on Earth from space.

When you look at this map, what do you see? Notice you do not see country borders or city markings. These divisions are created by people. For example, there is no actual line dividing Texas from its bordering states. Although some astronauts (with the use of binoculars believe it or not) are able to see roads, large ocean tankers, and even the Great Pyramids from space, at very high altitudes, none of these are visible and all you are left with are natural land formations.

Political Maps Unlike physical maps, political maps show how humans have impacted the landscape. For example, city names, roads, country borders, etc. are all part of political maps. Political maps change frequently (physical maps change very, very slowly through geologic processes) and must be redrawn often. A political map of the world that is 50 years old is no longer accurate. Wars and ethnic conflict are two major causes political maps change.

Political Maps

Thematic Maps Thematic maps can represent a variety of information including things like climate, precipitation, vegetation, elevation, population, life expectancy, etc. Thematic maps are generally used when you are looking at a single piece of information.

Thematic Maps

Map Components Title Grid Compass Key or Legend Scale

Identify the largest pieces of the world: 1 4 7 B A 2 1= Asia 2= Africa D 6 3= Antarctica 5 4= North America A= Atlantic Ocean 5= South America B= Pacific Ocean 6=Australia C= Arctic Ocean 7= Europe D= Indian Ocean 3

The origin point (0,0) is where the equator intersects the prime meridian. (0,0) is off the western coast of Africa in the Atlantic Ocean. So Where is (0,0)?

Positioning on the Earth’s Surface East is the direction of rotation of the Earth Equator Latitude 0o Latitude: (90oN to 90oS) North Pole South Pole Prime Meridian 0o Longitude Longitude: (180oE to 180oW) Longitude 60o West Longitude 30o West Longitude 60o East 90o Longitude 30o East 66½o Latitude 23½o North Tropic of Cancer 23½o 21st June 22nd December 22nd Sept 20th March 90oW 60oW 30oW 90oE 30oE 60oE 23½o 900 Latitude 23½o South Tropic of Capricorn Longitude 90o West Longitude 90oEast Latitude and Longitude together enable the fixing of position on the Earth’s surface.

Major lines of latitude North Pole Arctic Circle Tropic of Cancer Equator Tropic of Capricorn Antarctic Circle South Pole

Longitude and Time Local noon poses a problem for travelers because it is noon at different times in different locations. That means that timetables are useless. To solve this problem time has been gauged from the Prime Meridian also called the Greenwich Meridian (since it passes through the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England).

Longitude and Time If you place meridians 15° apart starting with the Prime Meridian, you will divide the Earth into 24 zones. These correspond to the 24 hours in a day. http://www.mapsofworld.com/time-zone-map/maps/world-time-zone.jpg

Longitude and Time As you travel around the world to the east, you gain an hour in time for each zone you cross. If you travel to the west you lose an hour. http://www.astro.ufl.edu/~oliver/ast3722/lectures/CoordsNtime/timezon2.gif

But… If you traveled around the world to the east fast enough you would be a day older in a short time! If you traveled west you could go back in the past! To solve this problem it was agreed that the 180° meridian would signal the change of date point. Travel east and the date goes back one day; travel west and you advance a day when crossing this meridian.

But… To keep all of a country in the same time zone, the International Date Line does not follow the 180° meridian exactly. Other time zones make the same accommodations for country or state boundaries.