1. Mapping Earth’s Surface

2. Earth’s Surface
Earth’s surface covers 197 million miles and has many features that make it complicated to understand.
Its round.
It has landforms that determine topography.
mountains, valleys, plateaus, and plains.
To gain a better understanding of our earth we use pictures and models to represent actual scenarios with features that make them easier to understand and use.

3. Map Features and Types All Maps have similar features:
Reference Lines
Bar Scale
Compass
Legends/Keys
There are also four different kinds of Maps used to represent Earth’s surface:
Globe
Map
Grid
Topographic Map

4. Reference Lines
To find a location on a map reference lines are used to find intersecting coordinates:
Latitude – Lines running horizontally and measure distances north or south of the equator.
Equator – an imaginary line that runs half way between the North and South Poles (0° N or S).
Northern Latitudes – the half of Earth above the equator.
North Pole = 90° N
Southern Latitudes – the half of Earth below the equator
South Pole = 90° S

5. Reference Lines Latitude – Distances north or south of the equator.
North Pole = 90° N
South Pole = 90° S
Longitude – Distances east or west of the Prime Meridian
Prime Meridian = 0°
Separated by 15° intervals = 360°
24 total meridian lines
Each meridian line = 1 hr of time

6. Latitude

7. Reference Lines
Longitude – Lines running vertically and measure distances east or west of the Prime Meridian
Prime Meridian – an imaginary line separating Eastern and Western Hemispheres. (0° E or W).
Cuts through Greenwich, England.
24 total meridian lines, separated by 15° intervals = 360°

8. Longitude

9. Understanding Reference Points
West
East
North
South
What are the coordinates for A?
What are the coordinates for B?
What letter is found at 0°, 140° W?
What letter is found at 40° N, 60° E?
20° S, 100° E
80° N, 0° C E

10. Bar Scales
Maps are drawn to scale and use symbols to represent topography and other features on Earth’s surface.
Scale – relates distance on a map to the actual distance on Earth’s surface.
Given as a ratio - (1:25,000)
For every 1 unit on the map = 25,000 units on the ground.

11. Reading and Using a Bar Scale
Bar Scale A:
What is the ratio?
What is the scale?
If I measured 2 inches, how many miles would this actually represent?
Bar Scale B:
What is the ratio:
What is the scale?
If I wanted to put 39 km on the map, how many cm would I use?
1:16,000,000
1:1,300,000
1 in = 20 mi or 1 cm = 13 Km
1 inch = 250 mile or 1 cm = 160 km
500 mi
3 cm

12. Compass
A compass is used to show the direction one location is in relation to another.
Cardinal directions – North, South, West and East.

13. Determining Direction
From Ithaca, what
direction is:
New York City:
Elmira:
Rochester:
Albany:
From New York City, what direction is:
Buffalo: SE SW NW NE N NW

14. Legends/Keys
Gives you the information needed to make sense of the map you are using.
Maps often use symbols or colors to represent things, and the map key explains what they mean.
Symbols in the key might be pictures or icons that represent different things on the map.

15. Public Play Area Thorn Walk & South Walk Norham Gardens 2
What does represent?
On which intersection would I find the restroom?
Off what road would Lady Margaret Hall Gate be located?
How many wheelchair access points does Parks Road have?
Public Play Area
Thorn Walk & South Walk
Norham Gardens 2