Geography Skills:Introduction to Maps &Thematic Maps

Created by tbonnar.

What Maps Show

A map is an image that represents an area of the earth’s surface, usually from above.

What Maps Show

A map can provide different information such as place names, land features, elevation, and political boundaries.

Which Way Is Up?

North is usually at the top of the map, check the compass rose to see if it has been repositioned in a different direction.

Physical and Political

Physical maps indicate natural features such as mountains, deserts, rivers and lakes.

Physical and Political

Political maps focus on the division of the earth’s surface into different countries, states or provinces.

Physical and Political

Most maps in this atlas will show physical features as well as country borders, cities, and towns.

Satellite Maps

Today, scientists can make more accurate maps of the world than ever before.

They can use information from satellites that orbit the earth.

Thematic Maps

A thematic map is one that focuses on a particular main idea (or theme).

These might include: Climate Vegetation Economy Population Language

Thematic Maps

Map Legends (or Keys)

Map legends are very important for all types of maps, but perhaps especially so for thematic maps.

Legends can include: Symbols Elevation Scale Colour Keys

Map Symbols

Maps often use symbols instead of words to label real-life features and make maps clearer.

Map Symbols

Symbols can be small pictures, letters, lines or coloured areas.

Map Symbols

Each symbol is placed in a key or legend next to the map.

The key explains what each symbol means.

Climate Maps

Climate Maps are a type of Thematic Map.

They present information about climate such as: Temperature Precipitation Sunshine Hours Growing Season Climate Regions Environmental

Concerns

Climate

Climate is the overall weather pattern of a region.

The two major aspects of climate are temperature and precipitation.

Climate Graphs

A Climate Graph shows: A title Precipitation bars in blue A temperature line in red Months of the year Usually the Total Annual

Precipitation Sometimes the

growing season at 6°C

Interactive Climate Graphs

Temperature is affected by: Revolution of the

earth – causes seasons

Rotation of the earth – causes day and night

Temperature is affected by: latitude –

proximity to the equator or to the poles ex. high latitude = lower temperatures

altitude (elevation) – temperature decreases 1 C for every increase of 165 metres

Temperature is affected by:

wind – wind can lower or raise temperature depending on where the wind comes from

large bodies of water – water’s temperature changes more slowly than land’s temperature; therefore the temperature near large bodies of water will be more moderate

Temperature is affected by:

ocean currents – make the water cold or warm and thus affect the land

Temperature is affected by:

pollution (man-made or natural) gases in the atmosphere trap heat forest fires and volcanoes can also affect

temperature

Precipitation is affected by: winds – will

bring precipitation to an area

large water bodies – will usually increase precipitation in that area

Precipitation is affected by:

air pressure – differences in air pressure cause precipitation to fall

Precipitation is affected by:

temperature – interaction between warm and cold air causes precipitation

Precipitation is affected by:

physiography – the presence of physical featuressuch as mountains or deserts

Types of Precipitation

Orographic – caused by mountains, as in Greater Vancouver

Types of Precipitation

Convectional – thunderstorms, caused by the rising of hot air

Types of Precipitation

Cyclonic – the most common type, caused by differences in air pressure