Map Essentials

Parts of a MapThere are 5 main parts of a map:

•The Title

•The Compass Rose

•The Map Key or Legend

•The Scale

• Longitude/Latitude Lines (Grid System)

The Title

The title of the map indicates what a map is about, the first part you should look at.Example: The title of this map is

“British Empire – 1900.”

The Compass RoseThe compass rose is the symbol on a map that shows the 4 cardinal directions (North, South, East, and West) and the 4 intermediate directions (Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, and Southwest.). It acts as a guide to directions on a map.

NW NE

SW SE

The Map Key or LegendThe map key or legend is the part of the map that explains what symbols and colors on the map represent.Example: On this map, the red line represents the Trans-Siberian railroad, the black line is a national boundary, and a black dot is a city.

The Map KeyOn this map, different colors are used to show different things.Example: the lavender color shows where the Han people live. The red color shows where the Mao people live.

The Scale

The scale is gives distances in miles and kilometers. Example: On this map, 1 inch is equal to 100 miles.

Types of Maps

Political MapsPhysical MapsThematic Maps

Types of Maps

There are many different kinds of maps, depending on what the map is to be used for.Examples:

1. A map showing the 50 states of the United States

2. A road map of New Hampshire3. A map of Rockmart Middle School

Political Maps

Political maps show man-made boundaries between countries and states.The capital city of each country is designated by a circle with a star inside.

Physical Maps

Physical maps show natural features such as rivers, lakes, oceans, plateaus, mountains, and peninsulas.Elevation (height of the land above sea level) is also shown with the use of different colors.

Thematic Maps

A thematic map is a type of map especially designed to show a particular theme connected with a specific geographic area.Examples of thematic maps are: climate maps, vegetation maps, natural resource maps, etc.

Climate MapA climate map uses various colors to show different types of climate (the weather throughout the year.)Example: On this map the dark green color represents a tropical wet climate. Blue is a marine climate

Vegetation Maps

Vegetation is the natural plant life of the area.Example: On this map turquoise area is coniferous (evergreen) forest. The beige area is desert scrub.

Natural Resource MapA natural resource map uses symbols to show where resources such as minerals and plant products are located.Example: The cart with a “c” on it represents coal. The coiled wire represents copper.

Population Distribution MapIn this map, different colors are used to show the population density (the number of people per square mile.) Symbols are used to show the population of major cities.Example: The purple areas have a high population density (over 520 people per square mile – very crowded!) A represents a city with over 5 million people.

Road MapRoad maps are used for traveling.Names and types of highways and roads are indicated.Distances between cities are labeled on the map also.Example: The cities of Joshua and Kitson are 14 miles apart and are connected by Highway 31.

Historical MapsHistorical maps are used to show where things were at a certain time in history.Example: On this map, the gold area is the extent of Asoka’s Empire. The orange arrows show the path of the Aryan invasion.

Finding Location on a Map

To find locations on a map, a grid system is used. This can either be a grid with numbers and letters on a street map, or the latitude and longitude system used for larger areas.

Using a GridThis type of grid is called a map index. There are letters down the left and numbers across the top.Example: To locate Miles City, go to C and then 2. You should find it in the square where the two meet.

Using latitude and longitude

To find locations for larger areas such as countries or continents, latitude and longitude are used.This is a giant grid where degrees are used.

Latitude

The equator is 0° (degrees), and is the starting place for measuring latitude, the distance north or south of the equator.Example: A city on this line is said to be located at 40° S.

LongitudeThe Prime Meridian is 0° (degrees) and is the starting place of measuring longitude, the distance east or west of this.Example: A city on this line is said to be located at 20° W.

Put them both together!

By using lines of latitude and longitude, you can give the absolute location of any place on earth.Example: A city here is located at 20° S, 60° W.

The End!

This is a revised power point based on an original by Mrs. Ancelet