Map Elements

The Earth

Latitude and Longitude Maps and globes usually have lines on them to help locate places on Earth. These lines are called latitude and longitude.

Latitude Lines circle the globe in an east- west direction parallel to the equator. circle the globe in an east- west direction parallel to the equator. measure how far north or south a point on Earth is from the equator. measure how far north or south a point on Earth is from the equator. The equator is 0 o latitude. The equator is 0 o latitude. North of the equator locations are from 0 o to 90 o N North of the equator locations are from 0 o to 90 o N South of the equator locations are from 0 o to 90 o S South of the equator locations are from 0 o to 90 o S

Longitude Longitude lines run from the North to the South Pole Longitude lines run from the North to the South Pole The Prime Meridian in Greenwich, England is 0 o longitude The Prime Meridian in Greenwich, England is 0 o longitude East of the Prime Meridian the values are 0 to 180 o E East of the Prime Meridian the values are 0 to 180 o E West of the Prime Meridian the values are 0 to 180 o W West of the Prime Meridian the values are 0 to 180 o W

Prime Meridian West East Tropic of Cancer 23 ½ o N, Tropic of Capricorn 23 1/2 o S

Courtenay, BC

Hemispheres By using the equator and prime meridian, we can divide the world into four hemispheres, north, south, east, and west. By using the equator and prime meridian, we can divide the world into four hemispheres, north, south, east, and west.

Northern Hemisphere The Northern Hemisphere is 39% land and 61% Ocean Equator

Northern Hemisphere The majority of land and the majority of the world's population is in the Northern Hemisphere, so we tend to orient world maps with North at the top N.America Africa Asia

Southern Hemisphere Notice that the Southern Hemisphere is 19% land and 81% Ocean Notice that the Southern Hemisphere is 19% land and 81% Ocean

Southern Hemisphere South America Australia Africa

Compass A compass is a tool that helps the user know what direction one is headed. A compass is a tool that helps the user know what direction one is headed. North does NOT always North does NOT always point up

Compass Rose The needle on a compass is magnetized to point to the earth's north magnetic pole. Thus with a compass, a person can roughly tell which direction they are headed. The needle on a compass is magnetized to point to the earth's north magnetic pole. Thus with a compass, a person can roughly tell which direction they are headed.

Directions The cardinal directions are north, south, east, and west. The cardinal directions are north, south, east, and west. The intermediate directions are northeast, southeast, southwest and northwest. The intermediate directions are northeast, southeast, southwest and northwest. They help describe the location of places in relation to other places. They help describe the location of places in relation to other places.

Scale Maps are made to scale; that is, there is a direct connection between a unit of measurement on the map and the actual distance. Maps are made to scale; that is, there is a direct connection between a unit of measurement on the map and the actual distance. For example, each inch on the map represents one mile on Earth. So, a map of a town would show a mile-long strip of fast food joints and auto dealers in one inch. For example, each inch on the map represents one mile on Earth. So, a map of a town would show a mile-long strip of fast food joints and auto dealers in one inch.

Map Legends The legend is the key to unlocking the secrets of a map. Objects or colors in the legend represent something on the map. The legend is the key to unlocking the secrets of a map. Objects or colors in the legend represent something on the map. Religions Legend

Can you understand this legend?

Age Expectancy Legend