MAP SKILLS What’s on a Map?

What’s on a map? Maps have a lot of information, but you need to know how to read them. There are several parts to a map which explain details and help you really see where you are and where you're going. 2

A map is a representation, usually on a flat surface, A map is a drawing or model usually on a flat surface, of a round Earth on a flat surface, of the features of an area of the earth that shows the landforms (mountains, rivers, etc.) or a portion of the heavens, or part of the sky in a particular region, showing them in their respective forms, sizes, and relationships drawn to scale according to some convention of representation. using an accepted form of drawing or model.

Map Components Title Grid Compass Rose Key or Legend Scale

Grid Grids help you locate places on maps. A grid uses lines to make rows and columns on a map. The rows go from side to side. The columns go up and down.

Sometimes a grid uses a number and letter system to locate a specific place on a map The blue house is located at what location? What is located in C4? The hot air balloon is flying over what area?

But most of the time we use latitude and longitude coordinates.

Lines of Latitude These are imaginary lines that measure distance north or south of the equator and run from east to west on the map. These lines are also called parallels because they do not touch. 9

Lines of Longitude These are imaginary lines that measure distance east or west of the prime meridian and run from north to south on the map. These lines connect at the north and south poles. These lines are also called meridians. 10

Compass Rose The compass rose shows you directions on a map Cardinal directions are north, south, east, and west Intermediate directions are northeast, northwest, southwest, and southeast 11

Legend/Key A legend or key lists and explains the symbols and use of color on the map 13

Scale The scale on a map helps us estimate the distance between places. Scale is the relationship between distance on the map and distance on the ground. For example, a 1:24,000 scale map means that for every 1 inch on the map, it represents 24,000 inches on the ground. 15