Map Skills UnitNote taking unit

Introduction● To learn about the Earth, we are going to learn about two

geographic tools you can use….globes and maps.

Globe● A globe is a round model of the planet Earth as if seeing it from

outer space. A globe is round and shows the continents and oceans.

● Globes show the shape, lands, and directions as they truly relate to one another.

Parts of a GlobeEvery globe has several important features

● Continents & Oceans● Poles● Equator● Prime Meridian● Zero Point● Hemispheres● Lines of latitude and longitude● Tropics

Each feature serves a purpose...let’s check them out!

Continents & OceansThe continents and oceans show the land and water coverage of the world.

Poles● The North and South Poles are the points where

the Earth rotates on its Axis.● All lines of longitude meet at the Poles● The North Pole is not part of any country but in the

international waters of the Arctic Ocean. ● The South Pole is located on the continent of

Antarctica

Equator● The equator is the imaginary line that runs east and west around the exact middle of the Earth.● It is found at 0° latitude

Prime Meridian● Is the imaginary line that runs from the North Pole to the South Pole through Greenwich,

England.● It is found at 0° longitude.● This imaginary line runs through the United Kingdom, France, Spain, western Africa, and

Antarctica.

Zero Point● Zero Point is the spot where the equator

and prime meridian intersect. ● This is where all degrees of latitude and

longitude begin.

Hemispheres● The equator and prime

meridian divide the Earth into four hemispheres, the Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western

● The equator divides the Northern & Southern hemispheres.

● The prime meridian divides the Eastern & Western hemispheres.

Latitude and Longitude● On many maps you see

crisscrossing lines with numbers by them. These lines and numbers form a grid system that allows us to describe the absolute, or exact, location of any place on Earth.

● Together, lines of latitude and longitude form a grid system called the coordinate system.

LatitudeThe lines running east to west around

the Earth are called lines of latitude. They measure degrees north and south of the equator.

Longitude● The lines running north

to south around the Earth are called lines

of longitude.

They measure degrees east and west of the

Prime Meridian.

TropicsThe tropics are the most northern & southern points on

Earth that receives direct sunlight.Tropic of Cancer

● Northern Tropic● 23.5° N latitude

Tropic of Capricorn● Southern Tropic● 23.5° S latitude

Map● A map is a model of the

Earth shown on a flat surface. Maps are useful because you can carry them with you.

● Let’s look at a map more closely…

Elements of a mapEvery map has six important elements:

● Title● Map Key/Legend● Compass Rose● Scale● Inset Map● Locator

Each element has a purpose...let’s check it out!

Map Title● The map title tells you the

purpose of the map.● It also informs you what

type of map you are reading.

● It tells you the subject of the map and helps you identify what type of map you are studying

Map Key/Legend● �The legend or map key will tell you

what the symbols on a map mean.● �For example, the map key might tell

you that a dot stands for a city.● �The key might also indicate that a

black line represents a state border.● �It might show you how to identify a

river with a blue line.

Compass Rose● The compass rose is a

direction marker, that displays the cardinal and intermediate directions on a map.○ Cardinal directions - North,

South, East, & West○ Intermediate directions -

Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest

Scale● �The map scale is used to

show the relationship of distance shown on the map to real distance on the Earth.

● The scale is shown in both standard and metric measurements and show distance between objects on the map.

Inset Map● An inset map is a

smaller map that shows more detail of a section on a larger map

Locator● The locator is a

small map or globe that appears on maps and show where the map is located on Earth

See if you can identify the parts of the map:

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Types of Maps● Different cartographers (map-makers) use different

map projections.● Another reason for this difference is that maps can be

created to represent different features of the same places.

Political Map● Maps that show countries,

states, cities, and capitals are known as political maps.

● On political maps boundary lines show the extent of an area’s territory or political influence.

Physical Map● Physical maps

show physical features of the Earth such as, mountains, rivers, oceans, and forests.

Vegetation Map● Vegetation Maps

show the different types of plants that are in an area.

Historical Map● Maps that show parts

of the world as they were in the past are known as Historical Maps.

Contour Map● A Contour Map is used to

show varying elevations of a place.

● These maps use a series of circles to show the contour and elevation.