Map Elements
Write On
Learner Expectation
Content
Standard: 3.0 Geography
3.01 Understand how to use maps, globes, and other geographic representations, tools, and technologies to acquire, process and report information from a spatial perspective.
In this activity you will:
Learn
about the elements of a map: latitude, longitude, the hemispheres, directions, time zone, scale, and map legends. Write a paragraph describing the parts of a map. Tell the function of each part in reading a map.
Latitude and Longitude
The
earth is divided into lots of lines called latitude and longitude.
Lines
Longitude
lines run north and south. Latitude lines run east and west. The lines measure distances in degrees.
Latitude
Longitude
Where is 0 degree?
The
equator is 0 degree latitude. It is an imaginary belt that runs halfway point between the North Pole and the South Pole.
Equator
M E R R I I D The prime meridianM 0 degrees is I longitude. This imaginary line runs through E A N the United Kingdom, France, Spain, western
Where is 0 degree?
Africa, and Antarctica.
Latitude and Longitude Resources
Latitude
& Longitude Activity A Printable Latitude & Longitude Map of the World Latitude & Longitude Map Making Latitude and Longitude Quiz
Hemispheres
By
using the equator and prime meridian, we can divide the world into four hemispheres, north, south, east, and west.
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.
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: http://aerocompass.larc.nasa.gov
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.
Scale
Maps
are made to scale; that is, 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.
Scale
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.
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
Can you understand this legend?
Age Expectancy
Legend
Legend Reading Activities
What
You Can Learn From A Map
What do Maps Show Activity Road Map Road Map Legend Road Map of Salt Lake City Region Map Worksheet
Sites to visit
Look up Latitude and Longitude for US Cities Maps and Map Skills Degrees, Latitude, & Longitude Worksheet Latitude and Longitude Map (lesson plan) Scale Time Zones Anchors Aweigh (a map adventure) Map Quiz Make Your Own Map Topography Maps U. S. Map Collection GeoSpy Game Globe Projector GeoGame
Additional Sources
Atlas
- World (Holt, Rinehart and Winston) Outline Map of US Map Packet Download Maps.com National Geographic Xpeditions Maps & Globes
Writing Activities
Write
a paragraph describing the parts of a map. Tell the function of each part in reading a map.
