Maps give us different viewpoints of the earth’s surface.

Landforms Plains are large, relatively flat areas. If found near the ocean they are called the coastal plain. Flat plains that are found in the center of land masses are called interior plains.

Coastal Plains Virginia is part of the Atlantic coastal plain. It formed over 70 million years ago under the ocean.

Interior Plain Extend from the Appalachian Mountains to the Rocky Mountains. The Great Plains extend from the Mississippi River to the Rocky’s. It is covered with grass and very few trees.

Plateaus Plateaus are relatively flat, raised areas. They are areas made up of nearly horizontal rocks that have been uplifted by forces within Earth. West Virginia is an example of a plateau region.

Mountains Mountains rise high above the surrounding land. There are 4 types of mountains. Folded mountains are formed by compression forces. (Appalachians) Up warped mountains are formed by crust that is forced up by forces inside the Earth, leaving behind igneous and metamorphic rock. (Rocky’s)

Mountains Fault-Block Mountains are created when faults occur. (Sierra Nevada) Volcanic Mountains are created when molten material oozes from the Earth’s crust and forms cone-shaped structures. (Hawaiian Islands)

Latitude Latitude lines, or parallels, circle the globe running parallel to the equator. They measure from 0o to 90o latitude. Latitude lines run east and west, yet measure degrees north and south of the equator. The 0o line is called the equator. The 90o line marks the poles.

Longitude Longitude lines, or meridians, are lines that intersect at the poles. They measure from 0o to 180o. Longitude lines run north and south, yet measure east and west. The 0o line is called the prime meridian. The 180o line is called the post meridian.

Time The Earth is divided into 24 different time zones. Each time zone is 15o wide. The International Date Line is located at the post meridian. Crossing the date line to the west adds a day, to the east subtracts a day.

Map Projections There are three basic map projections: Mercator Projection: correct shapes, yet land areas are distorted. Robinson Projection: correct shape, and accurate land areas. Conic Projection: used to make maps of small areas.

MERCATOR

AZIMUTHAL PROJECTION

Topographic Maps A topographic map shows the changes in elevation of the Earth’s surface. Contour lines connect points of the same elevation. Contour interval indicates the difference in elevation between lines. Index contours have the elevation marked on them.

Contour Rules Contour lines close around hills and basins or depressions. Contour lines never cross each other. Contour lines form V’s that point upstream whenever they cross streams.

Map Legend Map legends explain the symbols used on the map.

Map Scales The map scale shows the relationship between the distances on the map and the actual distances on the Earth’s surface. Map scales are shown as a graphic scale or a ratio scale.

Making Maps Landsat Satellites- make a digital image of the Earth’s surface. Topex-Poseidon Satellites- makes maps using radar.