Map Skills Right On!

Learner Expectation Geography Understand how to use maps, globes, and other geographic representations, tools, and technologies to acquire, process and report information from a spatial perspective.

In this activity you will: Learn about the elements of a map: latitude, longitude, types of maps, the hemispheres, directions, time zone, scale, map legends, etc. Write a paragraph describing the parts of a map. Tell the function of each part in reading a map.

Bell ringer Map Skills Take 3 minutes to view the map outline of the place below in your table groups. Discuss the name of the place and where it might be located in the world.

Compass Rose A circle with points or quarters printed on a map to show direction.  North is usually toward the top of the map—but not always! On a map, a compass or a compass rose helps the user locate these directions.

Source: http://aerocompass.larc.nasa.gov Compass Rose The needle on a compass is magnetized to point to the earth's north magnetic pole. Thus with a compass, a person can roughly tell which direction they are headed. There are four major or cardinal directions on a compass- north, south, east & west. In between are the directions northeast, northwest, southeast, southwest. Direction Quiz Source: http://aerocompass.larc.nasa.gov

Cardinal Directions One of the four major points on a compass: North, South, East or West. “Cardinal” means essential or crucial. On a map, north is usually up.

Intermediate Directions The points on the compass between the cardinal directions. Northwest (NW) is halfway between North and West. SW, SE, and NE are intermediate.

Legend or Key The legend is the key to unlocking the secrets of a map. Objects or colors in the legend represent something on the map. Religions Legend

Can you understand this legend?

Age Expectancy Legend

Scale Map scale is the relationship between a unit of length on a map and the same length on the ground. One inch on a map might represent one hundred miles on the land. One centimeter might represent ten kilometers. Be sure to check.

Scale

Latitude The line running around a globe like a series of higher and lower belts. On a map, lines of latitude run east-west. The equator is the 0-degree line of latitude. Atlanta is at 33 degrees north of the equator. New York City is about 40˚N. One degree of latitude is about 70 miles.

Equator The line around the globe at an equal distance from the North and South Poles, like a belt around the middle of the earth. The equator is the 0 degree of latitude. It divides the globe into two hemispheres, northern and southern. Equator

Longitude The lines running around the globe through the north and south poles, as if slicing the globe into apple wedges. The prime meridian is at zero. Moving west, Atlanta is at 84˚ W. Moving east from the prime meridian, Moscow, Russia is 36˚E. One degree of longitude is about 70 miles. On a map, lines of longitude run north-south.

Lines Longitude lines run north and south. Latitude lines run east and west. The lines measure distances in degrees. Longitude Latitude

Prime Meridian The line of 0 degrees longitude divides the globe vertically into two halves. This system was devised in Greenwich, England in 1884, so 0˚ goes right through Greenwich. “Prime” means first in importance.

Prime Meridian The prime meridian is 0 degrees longitude. This imaginary line runs through the United Kingdom, France, Spain, western Africa, and Antarctica.

Hemispheres By using the equator and prime meridian, we can divide the world into four hemispheres, north, south, east, and west.

Boundary A dividing line between two areas. Some boundaries are natural, like a river. Some are made by people: two countries draw a straight line on the map to make the boundary. Borders and frontiers are boundaries.

Political Map A map that shows the boundaries of countries. It may also show counties, cities and towns, and highways. Political maps show how people divide land.

Physical Map A map that shows landforms and water features. Colors and shadings show mountains or deserts. Physical maps show spaces that exist in nature.

Relative Location A location of place in relation to another place. “Next door” and “southwest of France” are relative locations. Relative location is imprecise and confusing.

Absolute Location The exact position of a place on earth. A street address is an absolute location, or it can be indicated with longitude and latitude. One degree of longitude is 70 miles. Each degree is divided up into 60 slices, called minutes. Each minute is about 1 mile; the 60 seconds are about 100 feet each. You can find a picnic blanket anywhere on earth with this system. STREET ADDRESS: Inman Middle School 774 Virginia Avenue, NE Atlanta, GA 30306

Latitude and Longitude Resources Latitude & Longitude Activity A Printable Latitude & Longitude Map of the World Latitude & Longitude Map Making Latitude and Longitude Quiz

Time Zones The Earth is divided into 24 time zones, corresponding to 24 hours in a day. As the earth rotates, the sun shines in different areas, moving from east to west during the course of a day. Places that have the same longitude will be in the same time zone.

Legend Reading Activities What You Can Learn From A Map What do Maps Show Activity Road Map Road Map Legend Road Map of Salt Lake City Region Map Worksheet

Sites to visit Look up Latitude and Longitude for US Cities Maps and Map Skills Degrees, Latitude, & Longitude Worksheet Latitude and Longitude MapLatitude and Longitude Map (lesson plan) Scale Time Zones Anchors Aweigh (a map adventure) Map Quiz Make Your Own Map Topography Maps U. S. Map Collection GeoSpy Game Globe Projector GeoGame

Additional Sources Atlas - World (Holt, Rinehart and Winston) Outline Map of US Map Packet Download Maps.com National Geographic Xpeditions Maps & Globes

Writing Activities Write a paragraph describing the parts of a map. Tell the function of each part in reading a map.