Map Titles and Symbols

Map TitleThe Title Tells What a Map Shows A map’s title gives us our first clue about its content. It usually describes the area shown on the map. It also identifies the map’s main topic.

What is the title of this map?

Compass RoseA diagram on a map that shows cardinal directions such as north, south, east, and west.

So named because it’s ornate design was thought to resemble a rose

It may also show intermediate directions such as???

Where is the Compass Rose located on this map?

Where is the Compass Rose on this map? What is different about it from the maps you usually see?

Why is it important to know the directions on a map?

Inset MapA small map on the same sheet of paper as a larger map that provides additional information that cannot be shown conveniently on the larger map Where are the inset maps on this map? What do they show? Why aren’t they included within the image of the main map?

Now it’s

Using the map your teacher provides, do the following:

Title the map at the top: What should it be called? What is it mainly about?

Label the compass rose with the words, Compass Rose

Label the inset map What should it be called?

On the map provided, label the following physical features of the earth. If needed, use the internet to locate a map to find the answers.

On the main map label:

Atlantic Ocean North American continent Pacific Ocean

South American continent Central American subcontinent

On the inset map, label:

Prime Meridian Eastern Hemisphere

Equator Northern Hemisphere

Southern Hemisphere Western Hemisphere

When you get done – read some news online.