Map ElementsMap Elements

August 31, 2010

In this activity you will:In this activity you will:

Learn about the elements of a Learn about the elements of a map: latitude, longitude, the map: latitude, longitude, the hemispheres, directions, time hemispheres, directions, time zone, scale, and map legends.zone, scale, and map legends.

Write a paragraph describing the Write a paragraph describing the parts of a map. Tell the function parts of a map. Tell the function of each part in reading a map.of each part in reading a map.

Latitude and LongitudeLatitude and Longitude►The earth is divided into lots of The earth is divided into lots of

lines called lines called latitudelatitude and and longitudelongitude..

LinesLines

►Longitude lines run north and Longitude lines run north and south.south.

►Latitude lines run east and west. Latitude lines run east and west. ►The lines measure distances in The lines measure distances in

degrees.degrees.

Latitude

Longitude

Where is 0 degree?Where is 0 degree?

►The The equatorequator is 0 degree latitude. is 0 degree latitude. ►It is an imaginary belt that runs It is an imaginary belt that runs

halfway point between the North halfway point between the North Pole and the South Pole.Pole and the South Pole.

Equator

Where is 0 degree?Where is 0 degree?

►The The prime meridianprime meridian is 0 degrees is 0 degrees longitude. This imaginary line runs longitude. This imaginary line runs through the United Kingdom, France, through the United Kingdom, France, Spain, western Africa, and Antarctica.Spain, western Africa, and Antarctica.

P

R

I

M

E

MERIDIAN

HemispheresHemispheres

►By using the equator and By using the equator and prime meridian, we can prime meridian, we can divide the world into four divide the world into four hemisphereshemispheres, north, south, , north, south, east, and west. east, and west.

CompassCompass►A compass is a tool that A compass is a tool that

helps the user know what helps the user know what direction one is headed.direction one is headed.

►On a map, a compass or a On a map, a compass or a compass rose helps the compass rose helps the user locate these directions.user locate these directions.

Compass RoseCompass Rose►The needle on a compass is The needle on a compass is

magnetized to point to the earth's magnetized to point to the earth's north magnetic pole. Thus with a north magnetic pole. Thus with a compass, a person can roughly tell compass, a person can roughly tell which direction they are headed. which direction they are headed.

►There are four major or cardinal There are four major or cardinal directions on a compass- north, south, directions on a compass- north, south, east & west. In between are the east & west. In between are the directions northeast, northwest, directions northeast, northwest, southeast, southwest. southeast, southwest.

►Direction QuizDirection Quiz

Source: http://aerocompass.larc.nasa.gov

DirectionsDirections

►The cardinal directions are north, The cardinal directions are north, south, east, and west.south, east, and west.

►The intermediate directions are The intermediate directions are northeast, southeast, southwest and northeast, southeast, southwest and northwest.northwest.

►They help describe the location of They help describe the location of places in relation to other places. places in relation to other places.

ScaleScale►Maps are made to scale; that is, there is a Maps are made to scale; that is, there is a

direct connection between a unit of direct connection between a unit of measurement on the map and the actual measurement on the map and the actual distance.distance.

►For example, each inch on the map For example, each inch on the map represents one mile on Earth. So, a map of represents one mile on Earth. So, a map of a town would show a mile-long strip of fast a town would show a mile-long strip of fast food joints and auto dealers in one inch.food joints and auto dealers in one inch.

Scale

Time ZonesTime Zones

►The Earth is divided into 24 time The Earth is divided into 24 time zones, corresponding to 24 hours in a zones, corresponding to 24 hours in a day. day.

►As the earth rotates, the sun shines As the earth rotates, the sun shines in different areas, moving from east in different areas, moving from east to west during the course of a day. to west during the course of a day.

►Places that have the same longitude Places that have the same longitude will be in the same time zone.will be in the same time zone.

Map LegendsMap Legends►The legend is the key to unlocking the The legend is the key to unlocking the

secrets of a map. Objects or colors in secrets of a map. Objects or colors in the legend represent something on the the legend represent something on the map. map.

Religions Legend

Can you understand this Can you understand this legend?legend?

Age ExpectancyAge Expectancy

Legend