Chapter 1, Lesson 1, Reading Maps

Chapter 1, Lesson 1, Reading Maps *Why do people use maps? - What kind of system is used for plotting locations? *Maps have been used for many centuries, and there are countless types of maps: Street maps show locations of streets, towns, and landmarks Other maps show patterns of weather systems Single maps show pictures of locations at a given time and a series of maps can show changes over time *Because Earth is large, humans need a way to determine where they are located on the planet. -Mapmakers created a system that uses an imaginary grid of lines that encircles the globe. -They are used to pinpoint location by the intersection or crossing of lines.

Chapter 1, lesson 1, Reading Maps (cont.) Slide 2 *What is latitude and longitude? -What do degrees represent? *Two sets of lines, latitude and longitude, make up this imaginary grid. Longitude is the distance in degrees east or west of the Prime Meridian Latitude is the distance in degrees north or south of the equator -Lines of latitude and longitude are labeled in units or degrees ( ) -Because Earth is spherical, each set of the lines of latitude and longitude makeup 360 -Latitude is always listed first when describing a location.

Chapter 1, Lesson 1, Reading Maps (Slide 3) *Are there different views of maps? *Most maps are drawn in map view, which means they are drawn as if you were looking down on an area from above Earth’s surface. *Cross sections are drawn in profile view, which is a drawing showing a vertical section of the ground.

Chapter 1, Lesson 1, Reading Maps (Slide 4) -What are map legends? A map legend lists all the symbols used on a map and explains what each symbol means.

Chapter 1, Lesson 1, Reading Maps (Slide 5) *What are map scales? *The map’s scale indicates the relationship between a distance on a map and the actual distance on the surface being mapped. *The scale can be written as a ratio,such as 1:100. If your unit is 1 inch per 100 miles, then ten inches on a map represents 1000 miles.

Chapter 1, Lesson 1, Reading Maps (Slide 6) -Summary: -Maps are used to help you locate places on Earth. -Latitude and longitude are important for plotting locations on Earth. -Subdividing latitude and longitude into degrees, minutes and seconds makes it possible to pinpoint locations. -Map scales are included on maps to represent the actual surface distance that is being represented. -Map legends often provide a key that explains different symbols that can be used to interpret maps. As populations grow, the development of maps and what they show will help humankind plan for the future.

Questions????? What are the names of the sets of lines that are used to measure distances on a map? Name two types of maps that people use? Name the two types of views that are shown on maps? What are two items you might find on a map legend?