Maps Globes Uses of Maps Maps as Sources
Maps & Globes
Uses of Maps
Maps as Sources of Information – maps can provide answers to question such as “Where are we? ” , “How far is it between here and there? ” , “What direction do we take to get there? ” , “What are the different ways to get there? ” and lot more.
Maps as a Tool used in Planning – maps are used for planning and decision making. For example, during the times of war, maps are invaluable to army, who have to plan and decide which areas to attack and most effective route to take.
Maps as Record of Changes– maps are good record of changes overtime. Like photographs, maps show the features on the Earth’s surface at a certain point of time
Basic Elements on a Map
Scale– shows the relationship between a length on a map and the actual distance it represents on the Earth’s surface.
Grid Lines– are a series of numbered vertical and horizontal lines drawn on a map.
Contours– or contour lines, are imaginary lines joining places on the map that are the same height.
Names of Features– Certain features such as buildings, roads and reservoirs are named on maps to help us identify and locate them easily.
North Arrow – a north arrow shows where north, south, east and west lie on the map.
Locating Places and Features in A Globe or Atlas
Latitudes are imaginary lines that run in an eastwest direction round the earth. Longitudes are imaginary vertical lines that run in a north-south direction from the North Pole to the South Pole on the Earth’s surface.
Prime Meridian is the 0º longitude. It is also known as Greenwich Meridian because it passes through a town called Greenwich near London in United Kingdom. The equator is an imaginary line that divides the Earth into the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere.
Tropic of Cancer – is found at 23. 5° N latitude. Tropic of Capricorn – is found at 23. 5° S latitude.
Arctic Circle – is found at 66. 5° N latitude. Antarctic Circle – is found at 66. 5° S latitude.
North Pole– is found at 90° N latitude. South Pole– is found at 90° S latitude.
International Date Line (IDL) is the 180° longitude that lies directly opposite the Greenwich Meridian
Time Zone Variations – due to the rotation of the Earth, places of the Earth experience day and night at different times.
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