Geography Skills and Geographic Vocabulary Day Two From Globes to Maps

Globe Vs. Map GLOBES The most accurate way to depict the earth is as a globe. A globe gives a true picture of the continent’s relative sizes as well as the shapes of landmasses and bodies of water. Globes accurately represent distance and direction as well.

MAPS A map is a flat drawing of all or part of the earth’s surface. One advantage of maps is they can show small areas in great detail. Maps can also show things that are abstract (or not concrete like locations) like political boundaries, population density, or even voting returns.

You Can’t Have Your Cake and Eat It Too. ~Maps and their limitations~ As you can imagine drawing a round object on a flat surface is very difficult… (Ex: Orange) Cartographers make maps… These mapmakers use mathematical formulas to transfer information from a round globe to a flat map. When the curves of a globe become straight on a map they tend to distort(change) the size, shape, and distance of continents and country’s.

It’s The Circle of Life!! Great Circle Routes Mapmakers have solved some problems of going from globe to map… A great circle is an imaginary line that follows the curve of the earth. (A line drawn along the equator is an example of a great circle. Traveling along a great circle is called following a great circle route. Great Circles represent the shortest distance from one city to another. Because a globe is round it accurately shows great circles the same two points on a map may not look like the shortest route. (Map Activity)

Beauty Is In The Eye of The Beholder!! MAP PROJECTIONS Goode’s Interrupted Equal Area Projection Robinson Projection Winkel Tripel Projection Mercator Projection

Parts of Maps Map Key explains the lines, symbols, and colors used on a map. Scale Bar helps you figure out distance on the map. Compass Rose tells you where the cardinal directions are.

Types of Maps General Purpose Maps are maps that show a wide range of general information about an area. Physical Maps identify landforms and water features. Political Maps show the name and boundaries of countries, the location of cities, and other human made features of a place. (Ex. The Great Wall, The Eiffel Tower etc.)

Types of Maps (cont’d) Contour Maps is a specific kind of physical map that shows elevation levels. A contour map has contour lines on for each major line of elevation. Special Purpose Maps are also known as thematic maps. These maps usually show specific topics in detail. (Ex. Climate, natural resources or population density.)