1. Maps: The Geographer’s Basic Tools
CGC1D – Gr. 9 Geography of Canada

2. An Introduction to Mapping
Parts of a Map
Map Symbols
Mapping Your Location
Types of Maps
Grid Systems
Topographic Map Study
Using Latitude and Longitude
Political Map of Canada (already completed!)
Pear Island Mapping Exercise

3. 1. What is a Map?
A map is a representation of the Earth’s features drawn on a flat surface.
Maps use symbols and colours to represent features of an area, simplifying the real world.

4. Features on a Map
A. Title – identifies the area shown, topic, focus, or purpose of the map
B. Legend – explains the meaning of symbols and colours used on the map
C. Scale – represents the relationship between distance on the map and distance in the real world
D. Direction – often represented with an arrow
E. Border – sets the map apart from other information
F. Date of Publication – indicates how recent the map is

5. What are the points on a compass for?
A compass is a way of finding direction
The four cardinal points are N, E, S, W
The points all have corresponding degrees of a circle (0° → 360°)

6. Types of Maps
Road Maps
Mostly use alphanumeric system (like Battleship!)
Topographic Maps
Use military grid system (4 numbers or 6 numbers)
Thematic Maps

7. Types of Maps
Road Maps
A map drawn to scale using symbols and colours to indicate major highways and roads for transportation purposes
Often other features are shown on road maps such as parks, hospitals, and tourist attractions
Can be both small scale (a country map) and large scale (a city map)

8. Types of Maps Topographic Maps
A map that indicates scale, using symbols and colours for both natural and human features on the Earth’s surface
Shows the Earth’s surface in great detail (large scale)
Depicts the height of land features (topography)
Often shows roads, settlements, vegetation cover, power lines, etc.

9. Types of Maps Thematic Maps
A map that reveals the geographic patterns of statistical data
Usually focuses on one theme or topic (e.g. population distribution)
Are designed to display distributions over the Earth’s surface

10. Text Assignment
Use your textbook and your text assignment to answer Qs #4-7

11. Lines on the Earth Latitude
imaginary lines that measure the distance north or south of the Equator (0°)
lines are parallel to the Equator at regular intervals (approximately 111 kilometres apart)

12. Lines on the Earth Longitude
imaginary lines that measure the distance east or west of the Prime Meridian (0°)
all lines begin and end at the poles and therefore are not at a fixed distance apart
the Prime Meridian (0°) was arbitrarily chosen at a point that runs through Greenwich, England
the International Date Line (180°) is the point where one day begins and one day ends

13. Lines on the Earth
The Prime Meridian

14. Lines on the Earth
Time Zones

15. Text Assignment
Complete questions # 8-10 using the textbook and your text assignment

16. Scale
Direct Statement Scale uses words to describe what a distance on a map represents in the real world
1 cm = 10 kilometres
Linear Scale uses a special ruler on a map to show what a distance on a map represents in the real world
0 km km
Representative Fraction Scale is a ratio where one unit on a map represents a specific number of the same unit in the real world
1: (1 cm on the map represents cm, or 0.5 km in the real world)  to help you convert remember that 1 km = cm

17. Scale Area Detail Example Large Scale Maps Small A lot
(streets, schools, railways, …)
Topographic maps, road maps, city bus maps
Small Scale Maps
Large
A little
(borders, lakes, large rivers, …)
Globes, world maps, atlases

18. Scale – Mapping Our Location
Anderson Collegiate Map
You are here!

19. Scale – Mapping Our Location
Anderson Community Map
You are here!

20. Scale – Mapping Our Location
Town of Whitby Map
You are here!

21. Scale – Mapping Our Location
Region of Durham Map
You are here!

22. Scale – Mapping Our Location
Southern Ontario Map
You are here!

23. Scale – Mapping Our Location
Ontario Map
You are here!

24. Scale – Mapping Our Location
Canada Map
You are here!

25. Scale – Mapping Our Location
World Map
You are here!

26. Text Assignment
Complete questions #11-13 of the text assignment using your textbook.