1. What Are Maps? Maps are two-dimensional (flat) representations of three-dimensional spaces. People have been making maps for over 4,000 years, and they've come a long way. We used to rely on explorers to visit faraway places before a map could be made. We still have explorers that travel the Earth to discover and map new places, but now we can also make and update maps with information sent from satellites in space.
All maps have five basic elements to help you understand them:
1.A title, to tell you what the map is about
2.An orientation arrow or Compass Rose (to tell you north, south, east, or west)
3.A Scale to determine distance
4.A legend or key that explains the shapes, colors, and symbols used on the map
5.A grid or coordinates that help you find certain locations on the map

2. What are maps for? Maps help us to plan our lives
Maps are not just used for geography or driving to a new place. We use maps almost every day. We use maps to get around town, to plan a vacation, to let friends know how to get to our house, to find a room in a hotel or in new school. The list goes on.
In fact, map reading even shows up on TV and video games.
Maps and map symbols
are part of everyday life
Getting around requires that you know about symbols
that are used on maps around town.
Here are some symbols you might see on maps
Maps help us to plan our lives
We use maps often in everyday life. Whether it's locating a room in a museum or an animal in a zoo, visiting relatives, or finding the local sports center - we use maps for finding our way, giving directions, and meeting friends.
Maps tell us about remote times and places
Learning about long ago times or faraway places is easier with maps
Topographic maps show landforms, forests, oceans, and cities.
Maps can tell about historical change such as exploration and settlement.
Maps can show the same place changing over time, illustrating how cities have changed, how continents have moved, or how the local neighborhood has grown.