Maps and Map Skills llhammon

Globe is a better model of Earth than a map, but a globe has disadvantages that a map does not haveis a better model of Earth than a map, but a globe has disadvantages that a map does not have

Kinds of Maps 1.General Reference Maps 1.Thematic Maps Provide the reader general information about an area or place.Provide the reader general information about an area or place. Provide more specific information about an area or place than general reference maps.Provide more specific information about an area or place than general reference maps.

General reference

Thematic Map

Reading Maps 1.Map Parts 2. Map orientation TitleTitle Legend or KeyLegend or Key Grid SystemGrid System DirectionDirection ScaleScale This has to do with direction

Scale Title Compass

Large Scale and Small Scale Maps 1. large-scale map 2. small-scale map Small Area = Large Scale Large Area = Small Scale shows a small area such as a neighborhood street in great detail. shows a small area such as a neighborhood street in great detail. shows a large area such as a country or a continent in comparatively lesser detail. shows a large area such as a country or a continent in comparatively lesser detail.

Large Scale Small Scale Small Area = Large Scale Large Area = Small Scale

Compass Is used to orient a map toward northIs used to orient a map toward north

Latitude and Longitude

LatitudeLatitude The set of lines crossing the Earth’s surface horizontally, Circling east and west.The set of lines crossing the Earth’s surface horizontally, Circling east and west. Each line of latitude is always an equal distance from the next.Each line of latitude is always an equal distance from the next. They are also known as parallels. All latitude lines are parallel to each otherThey are also known as parallels. All latitude lines are parallel to each other.

LongitudeLongitude - A set of lines that run vertically along Earth’s surface from the North Pole to the South Pole

Global Grid When lines of latitude and longitude cross a grid is formed. The grid is used to located certain places on earthWhen lines of latitude and longitude cross a grid is formed. The grid is used to located certain places on earth

Each line has an Identifying number called degrees, or parts of a circle. (41 0 )Each line has an Identifying number called degrees, or parts of a circle. (41 0 ) Degrees, can be further divided into minutes, or parts of a degree. There are 60 minutes, or parts of a degree. (10’)Degrees, can be further divided into minutes, or parts of a degree. There are 60 minutes, or parts of a degree. (10’) Minutes can be divided into even smaller parts called seconds. There are 60 seconds in each minute. (10”)Minutes can be divided into even smaller parts called seconds. There are 60 seconds in each minute. (10”) ’10” ’10” ’ 10” Degrees Minutes Seconds

Direction Cardinal directionsCardinal directions Intermediate directionsIntermediate directions north,south,east,west. -Northeast -Northwest -Southeast -Southwest

Using Latitude & Longitude to Locate Places Lines of latitudeLines of latitude equator’s latitudeequator’s latitude are numbered based on how far north or south they are from an imaginary line called the equator are numbered based on how far north or south they are from an imaginary line called the equator This line circles the Earth exactly halfway between the NP and SP. This line circles the Earth exactly halfway between the NP and SP. The degree is 0 0. The degree is 0 0. There are 90 degrees between it and each of the poles. Area between the equator and NP is “north” latitude (22 0 N) Area between the equator and SP is “south” latitude (22 0 S)

Using Latitude & Longitude to Locate Places Lines of longitudeLines of longitude Prime Meridian’s longitudePrime Meridian’s longitude are numbered based on how far east or west they are from another imaginary line. are numbered based on how far east or west they are from another imaginary line. degree is 0 0. degree is 0 0. Area east of the PM is known as “east” longitude. (120 0 E) Area west of the PM is known as “west” longitude. (120 0 W)

Prime Meridian & International Date Line prime meridianprime meridian international date line.international date line. does not circle the globe as the equator does. does not circle the globe as the equator does. PM runs from the NP to SP PM runs from the NP to SP Runs from NP to SP on the other side of the globe Runs from NP to SP on the other side of the globe

Hemispheres The earth can be divided into halves. Each of these halves is called a hemisphereThe earth can be divided into halves. Each of these halves is called a hemisphere.

Hemispheres at the Equator The ½ north of the equator is called the northern hemisphereThe ½ north of the equator is called the northern hemisphere The ½ south of the equator is called the southern hemisphereThe ½ south of the equator is called the southern hemisphere

Hemispheres at Prime Meridian and International Date Line Earth can also be divided into hemispheres at the circle formed by the prime meridian and International date lineEarth can also be divided into hemispheres at the circle formed by the prime meridian and International date line The ½ east of the prime meridian is called the eastern hemisphere.The ½ east of the prime meridian is called the eastern hemisphere. The ½ west of the prime meridian is called the western hemisphere.The ½ west of the prime meridian is called the western hemisphere.

Making Maps Gathering InformationGathering Information Problem of DistortionProblem of Distortion Map PropertiesMap Properties Map ProjectionsMap Projections Cartographers (Mapmakers)Cartographers (Mapmakers)

Gathering Information SurveyingSurveying Aerial Photography (Air Planes)Aerial Photography (Air Planes) Remote Sensing (Satellites)Remote Sensing (Satellites)

Problem of Distortion Features are stretched to put Earth’s information onto a map.Features are stretched to put Earth’s information onto a map.

Map Properties No map can have all of the properties at onceNo map can have all of the properties at once Equal areasEqual areas ConformalityConformality Consistent ScaleConsistent Scale True-Compass DirectionsTrue-Compass Directions

Equal areasEqual areas Places shown have the same proportions as they do on Earth.Places shown have the same proportions as they do on Earth. Example: Greenland 1/8 land area of S. AmericaExample: Greenland 1/8 land area of S. America

ConformalityConformality Having correct shapes.Having correct shapes. Shows true shapes.Shows true shapes. Can show larger areas as closely as possible to their true shapesCan show larger areas as closely as possible to their true shapes

Consistent ScaleConsistent Scale Uses the same scale for all parts of the map.Uses the same scale for all parts of the map. Shows the true distances between places on EarthShows the true distances between places on Earth In most Cases maps showing large areas cannot be consistent-scale maps.In most Cases maps showing large areas cannot be consistent-scale maps.

True-Compass Direction Parallels and meridians appear as straight lines.Parallels and meridians appear as straight lines. By following these lines you will be following the cardinal directions of N,S,E,&W.By following these lines you will be following the cardinal directions of N,S,E,&W. Straight line between two points on map determines exact directions and set course. (Navigators use these maps)Straight line between two points on map determines exact directions and set course. (Navigators use these maps)

Map Projections Cylindrical ProjectionsCylindrical Projections MercatorMercator Robinson ProjectionRobinson Projection Goode’s InterruptedGoode’s Interrupted Conic ProjectionsConic Projections Albers Equal Area ProjectionAlbers Equal Area Projection Planer ProjectionsPlaner Projections Flat Plane ProjectionsFlat Plane Projections Gnomonic ProjectionGnomonic Projection

Cylindrical Projections Straight lines of latitude and Longitude are PerpendicularStraight lines of latitude and Longitude are Perpendicular Little distortion near the equatorLittle distortion near the equator Best Known:Best Known: Mercator –Mercator – conformal and true-compass direction map, but distortion near poles makes size of land and water areas inaccurate. Land shapes correct – areas distorted – valuable to navigatorconformal and true-compass direction map, but distortion near poles makes size of land and water areas inaccurate. Land shapes correct – areas distorted – valuable to navigator

Robinson Projection Equal areas – shown with high degree of accuracyEqual areas – shown with high degree of accuracy Conformal except near edges of map where distortion increasesConformal except near edges of map where distortion increases Valuable for showing entire world.Valuable for showing entire world.

Goode’s Interrupted High degree of accuracy in area and shapeHigh degree of accuracy in area and shape Distorted direction and scale.Distorted direction and scale. Valuable for showing Land masses.Valuable for showing Land masses.

Conic Projections Cannot map the entire world.Cannot map the entire world. Used for middle latitudes between 30 0 and 60 0 north latitudes, and between 30 0 and 60 0 south latitudesUsed for middle latitudes between 30 0 and 60 0 north latitudes, and between 30 0 and 60 0 south latitudes Best Known:Best Known: Lambert Conformal ConicalLambert Conformal Conical Important because it shows the true shapes of areas.Important because it shows the true shapes of areas. Albers Equal Area ConicalAlbers Equal Area Conical Consistent scale and is used when the size of land and water areas must be accurate. (military and engineering maps)Consistent scale and is used when the size of land and water areas must be accurate. (military and engineering maps)

Flat Plane Projections Used to map areas of the North and South poles. Areas near that point show little distortionUsed to map areas of the North and South poles. Areas near that point show little distortion Farther away from the point the greater the distortion of area, shape, and scale.Farther away from the point the greater the distortion of area, shape, and scale. Shows no more that ½ of the Earth at one time.Shows no more that ½ of the Earth at one time. Also called Azimuthal ProjectionAlso called Azimuthal Projection

Gnomonic Projection Circles of latitude lines and straight longitude lines form a wheel-like pattern.Circles of latitude lines and straight longitude lines form a wheel-like pattern. Especially useful to navigators because the shortest distance between two places on the map is found by drawing a straight line between them {this line is actually a part of a -great circle – any imaginary line that circles Earth and divides it into 2 equal partsEspecially useful to navigators because the shortest distance between two places on the map is found by drawing a straight line between them {this line is actually a part of a -great circle – any imaginary line that circles Earth and divides it into 2 equal parts Navigators use these along with true-compass direction maps to make their travel plans.Navigators use these along with true-compass direction maps to make their travel plans.

Points to Remember The projection one chooses to use depends on the information one wants.The projection one chooses to use depends on the information one wants. All Maps are projections – they transfer Earth’s features from the globe to a flat surface (map).All Maps are projections – they transfer Earth’s features from the globe to a flat surface (map). When large areas of Earth are mapped, distortion is more serious.When large areas of Earth are mapped, distortion is more serious. When mapping small areas like cities, distortion is not usually evident.When mapping small areas like cities, distortion is not usually evident.