Map Skills Map Skills

How do we use maps?

What are maps?

What do you see on the cow? Maps are a way for us to see what the world looks like. It is a method that geographers use to locate different things and to help us find our way from one place to another

FACT: You have probably all used

maps at some time in your life!

Try and think where you have used a map

in the past? Write it down

Look at the following 5 maps and write down what and where you think they show

Map 1: Where is this and what does it show?

Map 2: Where is this and what does it show?

Map 3: Where is this and what does it show?

Map 4: Where is this and what does it show?

So where are those places?

Map 1 is the Mappa Geographica which is a map of the world and was drawn in 1703

Map 2 is Europe with its current political boundaries Map 3 is a Satellite Image of the World taken in 2001 Map 4 is a street map of New York City

So, what are maps?Maps are used to help us to represent a place. It allows us to look at the location and surrounding area and environment of a place.

Compasses

Compasses are used to show the direction of places on maps. This is very important so that we can know how to use the map to move from one place to another.

There are 2 types of compass that you should use . . . .

North

East

South

West

Never

Eat

Soggy

Waffles

N

E

S

W

NE

SESW

NW

Using Direction When people move from one place to another they will describe their movement by using the directions that allowed them to travel.

To practice this there are a few exercises over the next pages to help you to practice your direction-finding skills.

Start at home. Go South 1 space, East 3 spaces, North 1 space, West 1 space, and South 3 spaces. What do you land on?

North

East

South

West

Understanding Latitude and Longitude

Latitude – Horizontal lines that circle the earth parallel to the Equator. These lines measure the distance north or south of the Equator. The Equator is 0 degrees latitude. (lay)

Longitude- Vertical lines that circle the earth from Pole to Pole. These lines measure the distances east or west of the starting line called the Prime Meridian which is 0 degrees longitude. (long hair)

Title- Name of place and date Scale- Helps give the reader a

perspective of the size and distance of the map

Legend/Key- Explains every feature or symbol contained on the map

Compass Rose- North, South, East, West

What are some basic parts of a map?