Map Elements

Learner Expectation Content Standard: 3.0 Geography 3.01 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, the hemispheres, directions, time zone, scale, and map legends. Practice locating position using longitude and latitude

What is a map? A two-dimensional representation of the spatial distribution of selected phenomena: The Earth’s Surface A generalized view of an area, usually some portion of Earth’s surface, as seen from above at a greatly reduced size Any geographical image of the environment

Why make maps? To represent a larger area than we can see To show a phenomenon or process we can’t see with our eyes To present information concisely To show spatial relationships

Who make maps? Cartography the art and science of mapmaking (in Greek chartis = map and graphein = write) The study and practice of making representations of the Earth on a flat surface. Cartography combines science, aesthetics, and technical ability to create a balanced and readable representation that is capable of communicating information effectively and quickly.

Essential Elements of a Map Scale Compass Symbols Legend Map Projection Type Author or publisher

Map Types Aeronautical & Navigational Charts City/Street Maps Ecological Inventory Fire Insurance Maps Forest Maps Geologic & Hydrologic Maps Highway/Road Maps Outline Maps Parks & Recreational Maps Political Maps Soil Maps Topographic Maps Weather Maps

Aeronautical & Navigational Charts World Aeronautical Charts cover land areas at a standard size and scale for navigation by moderate speed aircraft and aircraft operating at high altitudes.

Forest Maps False color map of the distribution of the kinds of forests in the world. The darkest greens are tropical forest, the mid green is coniferous (evergreens such as pine) and the lightest green are temperate forests. The highest biodiversity occurs in the tropical forests.

Fire Insurance Maps These maps were prepared primarily to assist insurance underwriters in determining the risk involved in insuring individual properties.

Oceans of the World The world has four major oceans. Atlantic Pacific Arctic Indian Pacific ocean Atlantic Arctic Indian

Global Climates Arctic and Antarctic with cold weather, so we could make the observation that the climate at the poles is cold. This map shows the general climate regions of the world.

World Religions Religious beliefs help define a people’s culture, so to understand a people, it is important to consider what religions influence that group.

The World Physical Physical maps show what the surface of the Earth looks like.

Map scale Ratio of the distance on the map to the distance on the ground Scale is a fraction Larger area covered means larger denominator Larger denominator means smaller fraction So a large-scale map covers a small area

Larger denominator means smaller fraction Map Insert

Large-scale Small-scale

Types of Map Scale Ratio of the distance on the map to the distance on the ground Graphic: Stays the same when photocopied Might not be right for the whole map

Scale

Types of Map Scale Verbal: 1 inch equals 10 miles Easy to understand Can change if photocopied

Types of Map Scale Representative fraction or ratio: 1:24,000 Units don’t matter Can change if photocopied

Map scale

Compass A compass is a tool that helps the user know what direction one is headed. On a map, a compass or a compass rose helps the user locate these directions.

How a Compass Works There is a magnetic field around the earth. The magnetized needle in a compass is aligned with this magnetic field. As the image to the right shows, the composition of the earth acts as a huge bar magnet sitting upside down in the middle of the planet. Since its South end is at the north pole and its North end is at the south pole, the North end of a compass needle is pulled north. Your compass has to have a very light needle sitting on a pivot that has almost no friction. This is because the earth's magnetic field is weak and would not be able to turn the needle.

Compass Rose Since 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.

Directions The cardinal directions are north, south, east, and west. The intermediate directions are northeast, southeast, southwest and northwest. They help describe the location of places in relation to other places.

Compass Points When reading a compass, and telling other people directions, you need to wipe "right" and "left" out of your vocabulary. Right and Left are relative directions and differ depending on your location and direction, but the cardinal points are constant. The direction halfway between North and East is an intercardinal point and is called NorthEast. The other three intercardinal points are SouthEast, SouthWest, and NorthWest.

Map symbolization Symbols are a code instead of text Three kinds: point, line, area Consider shape, size, orientation, pattern, color, value

Map symbolization Symbols are a code instead of text Three kinds: point, line, area Consider shape, size, orientation, pattern, color, value

Point symbols Every symbol counts as one occurrence Qualitative points Indicate location Can also describe that location Quantitative points Show a distribution Indicate a value (graduated symbols)

Indicate location Describe location

Show a distribution

Indicate a value

Line symbols One-dimensional Mostly taken for granted (borders, roads) Contour connect same values Flow-line maps indicate value by width of line

(Contour lines)

Latitude and Longitude The earth is divided into lots of lines called latitude and longitude.

Lines Latitude (shown as a horizontal line) is the angular distance, in degrees, minutes, and seconds of a point north or south of the Equator. Lines of latitude are often referred to as parallels. Latitude

Lines Longitude (shown as a vertical line) is the angular distance, in degrees, minutes, and seconds, of a point east or west of the Prime (Greenwich) Meridian. Lines of longitude are often referred to as meridians. Longitude

Where is 0 degree? The equator is 0 degree latitude. It is an imaginary belt that runs halfway point between the North Pole and the South Pole.

Where is 0 degree? Equator The equator is 0 degree latitude. It is an imaginary belt that runs halfway point between the North Pole and the South Pole. Equator

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

P R I M E D A N Where is 0 degree? 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.

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.

Map Legends 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

Map Projections Projection: The system used to transfer locations from Earth’s surface to a flat map. A projection of an image onto another surface either a cylinder, a flat plane or a cone 3 basic types of projections cylindrical projection planular projection (also known as azimuthal) conical projection

Map projection Map projections are necessary for creating maps. All map projections distort the surface in some fashion. Depending on the purpose of the map, some distortions are acceptable and others are not;

Map projection The Mercator projection shows courses of constant bearing as straight lines.

Miller Cylindrical projection Azimuthal projection

Map projection The Robinson projection was adopted by National Geographic Magazine in 1988 but abandoned by them in about 1997 for the Winkel Tripel.

Winkel Tripel Projection