1. Mapskills
How do we use maps?

2. What are maps? What do you see on the cow?
Maps are a way for us to see what the world looks like. It is a method that geographers use to locate different things and to help us find our way from one place to another

3. FACT: You have probably all used maps at some time in your life!
Have a brainstorming session with a partner to try and think where you have used a map in the past

4. So, What are maps?
Maps are used to help us to represent a place. It allows us to look at the location and surrounding area and environment of a place.

5. Compasses

6. Compasses are used to show the direction of places on maps
Compasses are used to show the direction of places on maps. This is very important so that we can know how to use the map to move from one place to another.
There are 2 types of compass that you should use

7. The 4 point compass The 8 point compass CARDINAL directions North West
East
Never
South
Wheat
Eat
The 8 point compass N NW NE
Shredded E W SE SW
ORDINAL directions S

8. Using Direction
When people move from one place to another they will describe their movement by using the directions that allowed them to travel.
To practice this there are a few exercises over the next pages to help you to practice your direction-finding skills.

9. Direction Exercise 1 North West East
Listen to the directions. Where have you ended up?
South

10. Direction Exercise 2
Use the map below of the major towns in County Antrim to work out the directions between each town.
North
West
East
South

11. hemisphere
hemi means half/ sphere is 3-D shape like the globe...the world can be split into 4 hemispheres....N, S, E, W

12. quadrant-
- quad means four... the world can be split into NW, SW, SE, NE...

13. equator- equator- 0 degree Latitude line.
hot climate- splits the world into N and S

14. Tropic of Cancer Tropic of Cancer-
Northern tropic line that marks the highest point of direct sunlight
in the Northern hemisphere’s summer

15. Tropic of Capricorn Tropic of Capricorn-
Southern tropic line that marks the lowest point of direct sunlight
in the Northern hemisphere’s winter

16. prime meridian- prime meridian- 0 degree longitude line
--- connects the poles through England- splits the world into E and W

17. Latitude -
latitude - 
imaginary lines on the Earth that go side to side (or east to west, horizontal) that measure north and south.

18. Longitude- longitude-
imaginary lines on the Earth that go up and down (north and south, vertical) that measure east and west.

19. absolute location-
absolute location- “grid address” latitude and longitude lines together

20. How can we use 4 Figure Grid References?

21. How can you describe where these places are using a Grid?
To find the grid square that each of the symbols are found in –
Go along the corridor and then up the stairs
ACROSS AND THEN UP
Along = 02
Up = 11 GR = 02 11 14 13 12 11

22. Answer these questions.14
Is in square _____ 13 12 11

23. Legend or map key- Legend/ map key-
tells you what symbols and colors on the map stands for

24. Why do we use symbols?
When drawing a map to scale it is important to include as much detail as possible – however not all the detail will fit on the map so we have to use a key of different symbols, abbreviations and letters to represent the main items on the map

25. Think about it this way
Imagine that you have to draw a map that shows the route from your house to the school – but you are not allowed any words . . .this means that we need to use symbols to show what we would pass on the way

26. Do you know any map symbols?
Draw a symbol on the board and then write below what it is!

27. How can we work out distances on a map?
Distance and Scale
How can we work out distances on a map?

28. What is scale?
Maps cannot be the same size as the objects are in reality or they would not fit on the page! Therefore we use scale to show the real distances between places by making everything smaller.

29. How do we measure distance
on a map?
If you want to find out the distance between two places on a map there are 2 methods to use. One method looks at the straight line distance (as the crow flies) and the other measures the actual distance, by road, river etc, and usually involves going down bendy lines.

30. Measuring a straight line distance
This is very simple to use.
Use your ruler to rule the distance between the 2 places
Then compare your answer to the scale of the map (This is usually in the bottom corner of the map and for most maps that you use this will be 1cm = 50,000cm (0.5Km)

31. Measuring around a bend
This is a bit more complicated. You need to use a piece of scrap paper to use to find out the distances.
Find the first straight edge and lay the paper down along side the road that you are measuring
Mark on the start and end point
Find the next straight edge and continue the measurement
Continue this until the road is fully measured and then use your ruler and scale to work out the final distance

32. Describing Routes
How did you get here?

33. How do you describe a route between 2 places?
It is very important that you learn to use all your skills in using maps to look at a map and think about all of the things that you will pass on your way from one place to another.
You must imagine that you are actually taking that route

34. The Fugitive
The Fugitive is a Thinking skills exercise where you will hear a tape of a radio broadcast that takes place following the escape by a known criminal from the local prison. Your job is to use the descriptions o track down where he has got to
Use ‘The Fugitive’ sheets

35. How can we measure relief on a map?
Finding Heights
How can we measure relief on a map?

36. Three methods of showing
height on a map
Layer Colouring
Areas of the same height are shaded a different colour
Spot Heights
These give the exact height of a place on the map. They are shown as a black dot with a number alongside. The heights are given in metres
320
270
100 90

37. Contours
These are lines that are drawn onto a map and they join up places that are the same height. The heights are given in metres
300
200
100