The World of Maps

“Including maps of the world”

Longitude lines travel from one pole to the other. They are all the same length.

Latitude lines travel laterally (sideways) around the globe. They vary in length. The Equator is the longest latitude line

Cartographers (map makers) use lines of latitude and longitude to help them draw maps. The grid of lines is projected onto a piece of paper, then the cartographer uses them as a reference to draw in the land.

…like this!

There are three ways to project the lines of latitude and longitude onto a piece of paper to make a map...

A Planar projection projects latitude and longitude lines onto a flat sheet of paper.

Polar Projection

A Conic projection projects latitude and longitude lines onto a cone of paper. The cone is then cut and flattened out.

Conic Projection

A Cylindrical projection projects the latitude and longitude lines onto a cylinder of paper that is wrapped around the globe. The cylinder is cut and flattened to make a map. This is the most common type.

Cylindrical Projections

Q: Which projection is the best?

A: It depends on what you are using the map for.

Cylindrical: navigation, world maps

Conic: maps of the U.S., Canada, Europe.

Planar: views of the poles

ScaleLarge scale maps show a small area, but show a great amount of detail.

LARGE SCALE = LARGE DETAIL

Small scale maps show large areas, but do not show great detail.

SMALL SCALE = SMALL DETAIL

Types of Maps

General Purpose

General purpose maps provide for the reader many types of information on one map. These maps might show bodies of water, roads, railways, parks, elevation, and urban areas.

N E W F O U N D L A N D

N O VA SC O TIA

N E W B R U N SW IC K P R I N C E E D W A R D I.

Q U E B E C

USA

M A I N E

1 9 96 M A G E L L A N G e o g ra p h ix SM S a nt a B a rb a ra , C A (8 0 5 ) 68 5 -3 1 0 0

C o r n e r B r o o k

G a n d e r

C a m p b e ll to n

M a d a w a s k a

E d m u n d s to n

F re d e r ic t o n

S t. J o h n

M o n c to n

A m h e rs tN e w G la sg o w

C h a rl o t te t o w n

S u m m e r s id e

K e n t v il leD a r tm o u th

H alifaxB r id g e w a te r

C l a r e n v il leS t J o h n ’s .

S t . B a r b e

C h a n n e l- P o r ta u x B a s q u e s

S t. L a w re n c e

M a r y to w n

B a i e Ve r te

W e s l e y v il le

L a S c ie

S t. A lb a n s

S te p h e n v i lle

S t. A n t h o n y

S t . S h o tt s

B r a n c h

B u r g e o P la c e n ti a

S h e e t H a rb o r

S y d n e y

S h e lb u r n e

P a r rs b o r o

C a r a q u e t

T ig n is h

M o i s ie

T r a c a d i er a c a d ie

K e d g w ic k

A tla n tic O c e a n

Canada

World Countries

Thematic Maps

Thematic maps show very specific information about a place. Usually thematic maps only focus on one or two topics, and are therefore very easy to read. A thematic map could show population density, vegetation type, crime statistics…just about anything!

Topographic Maps

Topographic maps use standard symbols to represent many different landscape features. These maps show a variety of human and natural landmarks. They also show relief, or elevation, by using contour lines. Topographic map are usually large scale (1:50 000), and so show a lot of detail.

You are now all experts on maps!!

Any questions?