Map and Globe Skills

Essential Map Elements & Common Types of Maps

Map Title All maps must have a All maps must have a title so that the reader knows what the subject of the map is.

Map Key A map key is essential, A map key is essential, because it explains to because it explains to the reader what the symbols on the map represent.

Legend The legend, or key, explains what the symbol on the map represent. The legend, or key, explains what the symbol on the map represent.

Scale Maps must have a scale so the reader knows what the distances on the map represent in real life.

Compass Rose A compass rose serves to orient the map reader. A compass rose serves to orient the map reader.

North, South, East, and West are called the Cardinal Directions

All points in between the cardinal directions are called Intermediate Directions: NW, NE, SW, SE All points in between the cardinal directions are called Intermediate Directions: NW, NE, SW, SE

Types of Maps There are many different types of maps, but the ones we will use most often are, physical maps, political maps, historical, resource, product, and economic maps. There are many different types of maps, but the ones we will use most often are, physical maps, political maps, historical, resource, product, and economic maps.

Physical Maps Physical maps show landforms and use color to show elevation. Physical maps show landforms and use color to show elevation.

Political Maps Political maps show political boundaries between countries, states, etc. Political maps show political boundaries between countries, states, etc.

Historical Maps Historical maps show you how a country or region has changed over time.

Resource Maps Resource maps show the natural resources found in a country or region.

Product Maps Product maps show what a country or region produces using their natural resources. Product maps show what a country or region produces using their natural resources.

Economic Maps Economic maps show the distribution of economic activities and products in a country or region. Economic maps show the distribution of economic activities and products in a country or region.

Now, turn to your neighbor and come up with three reasons you might consult a map for information. What type of map would you use? Now, turn to your neighbor and come up with three reasons you might consult a map for information. What type of map would you use?

Relative and Absolute Location

Relative Location The location of a place as given in terms of its position relative to another place.

Absolute Location Location of a place given in terms of its latitude and longitude.

Latitude Horizontal lines that measure distance north or south of the earth's equator in degrees. Horizontal lines that measure distance north or south of the earth's equator in degrees.

Latitude (Ladder)

Reading between the lines

Longitude Vertical lines that measure distance east and west of the Prime Meridian, in degrees. Vertical lines that measure distance east and west of the Prime Meridian, in degrees.

Longitude (Long)

Equator Measured as zero degrees latitude, it is the imaginary line that separates the northern and southern hemispheres of the Earth. Measured as zero degrees latitude, it is the imaginary line that separates the northern and southern hemispheres of the Earth.

Prime Meridian The starting point for measuring longitude. Passing through Greenwich, England, it is measured as zero degrees longitude. The starting point for measuring longitude. Passing through Greenwich, England, it is measured as zero degrees longitude.

Your Turn!! CATCH A THEIF Israel Fast has stolen the world’s largest diamond. He stole the diamond from the Jewelry Museum in Los Angeles, and somehow managed to escape without being detected by the sophisticated security system. Interpol, the international detective agency has assigned you to the task of tracking him down and bringing him to justice. Israel Fast has stolen the world’s largest diamond. He stole the diamond from the Jewelry Museum in Los Angeles, and somehow managed to escape without being detected by the sophisticated security system. Interpol, the international detective agency has assigned you to the task of tracking him down and bringing him to justice. Israel is very sneaky and uses a variety of vehicles to travel around the world. All we have to go on is the list of the coordinates of the cities he went through. All that is, but the last city, which is his current location. If you are the first to track Israel through all of the cities and successfully guess what city his is currently in, you will receive the reward. Good luck! Israel is very sneaky and uses a variety of vehicles to travel around the world. All we have to go on is the list of the coordinates of the cities he went through. All that is, but the last city, which is his current location. If you are the first to track Israel through all of the cities and successfully guess what city his is currently in, you will receive the reward. Good luck!

Israel’s Coordinates 1. 35N, 118W 2. 40N, 105 W 3. 37N, 85W 4. 16S, 48W 5. 15N, 16W 6. 52N, 0W 7. 30N, 30E 8. 19N, 73E 9. 13N, 100E S, 152E N, 155W 12. Atlanta, GA

On Your Own Create a five coordinate trip to five different cities on the globe. You must travel through at least 3 different continents on your trip. Divide your paper into two columns. On one side, put the coordinates, and on the other side, put the answers.