Understanding Maps:

The Language of Geography

Steps to Understanding a Map

“Timmy Likes Cooking Steaks”

Timmy Likes Cooking Steaks

Timmy TitleThe title of the map describes the information it represents

Likes Legend• The legend lists the symbols used on the map, including any special

colors or shading, and identifies what each symbol represents.

What is wrong here?

Cooking Compass Rose

• The compass rose shows where the four basic directions – north, south, east, and west – are found on the map.• What if there is no compass rose?

Steaks Scale

• Cartographers (mapmakers) use scale to show how much a map has been reduced, it shows the actual distance between places on the map.

Latitude and Longitude

“Our imaginary friends”

Latitude imaginary horizontal lines that run parallel across the Earth• The EQUATOR (identified as 0 degrees) stretches around the middle of

the Earth• It divides the Earth into two hemispheres (North and South)

• Latitude lines are described by how far north or south of the equator they are located, from 1 – 90 degrees

Longitude imaginary lines that run up and down the Earth• The PRIME MERIDIAN (identified as 0 degrees) is the most important

longitude line• It divides Earth into two hemispheres (Eastern & Western)

• Lines of longitude increase from 1-180 degrees

How to remember the difference?

• Ladder – tude and Long – e – tude• SHUT YO MOUTH!• Rhyme Time: Longitude lines go up and down, latitude lines go round

and round• Don’t give me no latitude!