1. Reading Maps

2. In this activity you will:
Learn about the elements of a map: latitude, longitude, grid reference and coordinates, the hemispheres, directions, time zone, scale, and map legends.

3. Latitude and Longitude

4. Latitude and Longitude
The earth is divided into lots of lines called latitude and longitude.
The lines measure distances in degrees.
Latitude
Longitude

5. Lines Latitude lines measure north and south of the equator
Longitude lines measure east and west of the Prime Meridian

6. Equator Where is 0 degree? The equator is 0 degree longitude.
It is an imaginary belt that runs halfway point between the North Pole and the South Pole.
Equator

7. P R I M E D A N
Where is 0 degree?
The prime meridian is 0 degrees latitude. This imaginary line runs through the United Kingdom, France, Spain, western Africa, and Antarctica.

9. Grid Reference and Coordinates

10. Coordinates
Coordinates allow us to pinpoint exactly where a point or shape is on a graph or map.
Coordinates are written in brackets separated by a comma, like this (1, 6).
They are an ‘ordered pair’ of numbers which means the order in which they are written is important. 1 6 , (
(the x coordinate)
The first number shows us how many places to move across the horizontal axis.
(the y coordinate)
The second number shows us how many places to move up the vertical axis.

11. When reading coordinates ( ( 1 6 ,
When reading coordinates
the first number should be read from the horizontal axis.
The second number should be read
off the vertical axis.

12. 1 6 , (
Across then up.

13. (3, 5)
Across then up.

14. (6,2)
Across then up.

15. Also remember the brackets.
Across then up.
Also remember the brackets.

16. Hemispheres

17. Hemispheres
By using the equator and prime meridian, we can divide the world into four hemispheres, north, south, east, and west.

19. Compass

20. Compass
A compass is a tool that helps the user know what direction one is headed.
On a map, a compass or a compass rose helps the user locate these directions.

21. Source: http://aerocompass.larc.nasa.gov
Compass Rose
The needle on a compass is magnetized to point to the earth's north magnetic pole. Thus with a compass, a person can roughly tell which direction they are headed.
There are four major or cardinal directions on a compass- north, south, east & west. In between are the directions northeast, northwest, southeast, southwest.
Direction Quiz
Source:

22. Directions The cardinal directions are north, south, east, and west.
The intermediate directions are northeast, southeast, southwest and northwest.
They help describe the location of places in relation to other places.

23. Activity Using only cardinal directions, map the way to and from:
Our classroom to the stairs and back
Our classroom to the weight room and back
Our classroom to the tennis courts and back
Record the degrees at each location.
When done, get a different group to find one of your locations using only your map

24. Scale

25. Scale
Maps are made to scale. That means there is a direct connection between a unit of measurement on the map and the actual distance.
For example, each inch on the map represents one mile on Earth. So, a map of a town would show a mile-long strip of fast food joints and auto dealers in one inch.

26. Scale

27. Time Zones

28. Time Zones
The Earth is divided into 24 time zones, corresponding to 24 hours in a day.
As the earth rotates, the sun shines in different areas, moving from east to west during the course of a day.
Places that have the same longitude will be in the same time zone.

30. Map Legends

31. Map Legends
The legend is the key to unlocking the secrets of a map. Objects or colors in the legend represent something on the map.
Religions Legend

32. Can you understand this legend?

33. Age Expectancy
Legend