1. Understanding Maps: The Language of Geography

2. Essential Question and Ideas
How do maps help us to represent geographic information?
Different types of maps are used to show a variety of different information.
Maps can be used to answer geographic question, infer relationships, and analyze change.

3. What is a Map? Flat , two-dimensional representation of space.
Maps help geographers show how places are influenced by their location and how different places affect each other.
Maps are used to answer geographic question, make connections and analyze change.

4. How to read a Map Title: Describes the information the map present
Legend:
List the symbol used on the map.
Compass Rose:
Shows the four basic directions
Scale:
Used to show how much a map has been reduced.

6. Types of Maps

7. Political Map
Show
Countries
States
Capitals
Other Cities

8. Physical Map Identify features of Earth’s surface: Mountains Plains
Bodies of Water

9. Topographical
Show
Shape
Elevation

10. Thematic Maps
Helps you understand:
World
People
Culture

11. Historical
Illustrates the past

12. Road & Navigation
Helps you find your way.

13. Longitude Imaginary lines that run up and down the earth
Splits the Earth into Western and Eastern Hemipheres
Prime Meridian is the most important longitude line
Geographers use “E” or “W” to show if the line is east or west of the Prime Meridian

14. Longitude

15. Latitude Imaginary horizontal lines that run parallel across the earth
Splits the earth into Northern and Southern Hemispheres
The equator is the most important Latitude line
Geographers use “N” or “S” to show if the line is north or south of the equator.

16. Latitude