Types of Maps

POLITICAL maps Focuses on state and national boundaries of a place Includes locations of cities Examples

Physical maps Focuses on the physical landscape features of a place Mountains, rivers, lakes Examples

Thematic maps Focuses on a particular theme or special topic Population, natural resources Examples

Thematic maps Climate regions, precipitation Examples (continued)

Latitude and Longitude

Latitude and Longitude Imaginary grid system that geographers use. Earth is divided into two equal halves by the equator and prime meridian.

Latitude- also known as parallels Measure north and south of Equator Equator is 0° latitude Highest latitude= 90°N/S 90°N= North Pole, 90°S= South Pole Longitude- also known as meridians Measure east and west of the Prime Meridian Prime Meridian is 0° longitude Highest longitude= 180° E/W 180° line= International Date Line

Important Lines of Latitude

Important Lines of Longitude Sunday- 12 pm Saturday- 12pm International Date Line- Immediately to the left of the International Date Line the date is always one day ahead of the date (or day) immediately to the right of the International Date Line in the Western Hemisphere. It is not a perfectly straight line and has been moved slightly over the years to accommodate needs (or requests) of varied countries in the Pacific Ocean.

Low, Mid, and High Latitudes Low Latitudes: Between the Equator and Tropic of Cancer and Capricorn (0°- 23.5°N/S). Known as the Tropics Mid Latitudes: Between the Tropic of Cancer and Capricorn and the Arctic and Antarctic Circle (23.5°N/S - 66.5°N/S). Known as the Temperate Zones High Latitudes: Between the Arctic and Antarctic Circle and the North and South Poles. (66.5°N/S - 90°N/S) Known as the Polar Zones