Map Skills

Parts of a Map

• Title• Legend/Key• Scale• Compass

Rose• Which one of the above

is missing from this map?

• Title–explains the

area/type of map

• Legend/Key–explains the

symbols on the map

• Scale–tells the size of

the map in relation to the size of the real world

– Can you walk the length of the large island in 4, 10, or 25 hours?

• Compass Rose–shows directions•North• South• East•West• Often, only North is shown

Global Grid

• The Grid• Latitude/Parallels• Longitude/Meridians• Equator• Prime Meridian

• The Grid– Taken together,

latitude and longitude lines form a grid. – Every place on

Earth has a unique position on this grid, like a street address.

• Latitude/parallels–Imaginary lines

that run parallel to the equator– “latitude=ladder”

• Longitude/Merid-ians– Imaginary lines

that run from pole to pole crossing the lines of latitude

– “Longitude=long hair”

• Equator–Line of latitude

midway between the north and south poles

• Prime Meridian–Line of

longitude at 0 degrees that runs through Greenwich, England

Types of Maps

• Physical• Political• Special purpose–Climate– Economic–Resources– Etc.

• Physical maps–Show physical

features including mountains, rivers, lakes, etc.

• Political maps–Show political

features such as state and national boundaries, capital cities, etc.

• Special Purpose Maps– Climate

• Shows general temp. & precipitation patterns

– Economic• Show major economic

activity such as farming and industry

– Resources• show the natural resources

such as coal and oil

– Etc.• Shows endless choices

More Special Purpose Maps

Map Skills Practice

Chart & Graph Practice