Download What is a Map?

•A map is a representation of the earth's
features drawn on a flat surface.
Symbols and colour represent the
features of an area.
•A map simplifies the real world; not
every tree or telephone pole is shown
on a map.
•The maker of the map decides which
features to include and which to ignore.
There are many types of maps. Geographers can classify them
into three main categories:
1. General Purpose Maps
•
Give a broad
understanding about
the, landscape, the
location of cities and
towns, and the
location of major
transportation routes
all at once.
•
Most maps (e.g.,
road maps)
2. Thematic Maps
•Maps designed to show
information on one particular
topic.
•Easy to understand.
•e.g., Vegetation Regions Map
of Canada
3. Topographic Maps
•Use symbols to show a
variety of features.
•If you want to examine the
characteristics of a small area
these maps are useful.
•e.g., City Map, Park Map
What type of map am I?
What type of map am I?
What type of map am I?
What type of map am I?
1. Direction
2. Alphanumeric Grid
3. Latitude & Longitude
4. Map Scale
Which way is up?
• All complete maps identify
North, making it possible for
the map user to correctly
orient the map.
•
A simple way to show
direction is the Compass
Rose.
• http://www.southmag
neticpole.org.au/Com
pass%20Rose.JPG
•
North, East, South and West are
considered the most important points
on the compass. They are called the
CARDINAL POINTS.
•
The points in-between the 4 cardinal
directions are called the ORDINAL
POINTS (NE, SE, SW, NW)
•
BEARINGS are more specific as they
are measured in degrees. There are
360° on a compass.
•
Do you know a mnemonic to help you
remember the position of the cardinal
points?
•
The alphanumeric grid uses letters
and numbers to identify squares in
a grid pattern. e.g., B3
•
alpha = letters
numeric = numbers
•
An alphanumeric grid is often
used on road maps. Grid squares
are identified by a letter on one
side of the map and a number on
the other.
•
An alphanumeric grid provides the
reader of the map with a general
location (i.e., the feature you are
looking for is somewhere within
the small square).
1
A
B
2
3
4
The Cat- A3
The Frog- B1
The Penguin- A2
The Mouse- B4
• Any location on Earth is
described by two numbers – its
latitude and its longitude.
• Who uses latitude and
longitude “coordinates”?
– Pilot
– Captain of a Ship
– GPS (Global Positioning System)
• Why use lat/long?
– It gives you a specific location on
Earth.
– The lat/long coordinates of any
location on Earth will always be
the same; it does not matter what
map you are using.
Northern Hemisphere
•
On a globe of the Earth, lines of latitude
(“parallels”) are imaginary circles of different
size.
•
The starting point is the longest line called
the equator, whose latitude is 0° latitude.
•
The equator also divides the earth into two
equal parts:
1) Northern Hemisphere
2) Southern Hemisphere
•
Latitude is measured in degrees North and
South of the equator. The North Pole is
90°N and the South Pole is 90°S.
Southern Hemisphere
•
Areas closer to the equator receive more
direct sunlight, therefore, a warmer climate.
•
Areas further away from the equator have
less direct sunlight, therefore, a colder
climate.
•
This explains why Canadians typically go
south for vacations. For example, Florida is
much closer to the equator than we are in
Mississauga.
•
The starting point is called the Prime Meridian
(AKA Greenwich Meridian), whose longitude is
0° longitude.
•
The prime meridian also divides the earth into
two complete halves:
1) Western Hemisphere
2) Eastern Hemisphere
•
Longitude is measured in degrees East and West
of the Prime Meridian (Greenwich Meridian).
•
The International Date Line is at the 180°
meridian (i.e., 180°E/W is the maximum degree
of longitude).
Eastern Hemisphere
On the globe, imaginary lines of constant
longitude ("meridians") extend from pole to pole,
like the segment boundaries on a peeled orange.
Western Hemisphere
•
Every meridian must cross the equator. Since
the equator is a circle, we can divide it – like
any circle – into 360 degrees.
•
The world is divided into 24 different time zones.
•
An hour is added every 15 degrees East of the Prime Meridian and an hour is lost every 15 degrees
West of the Prime Meridian.
A
B
D
F
E
C
A
60°N 120°W
C ____________________
E ____________________
B ____________________
D ____________________
F ____________________
Actual Ferrari Car
Model Ferrari Car
• Every part of the model is in true proportion to the life-size object.
• A map is a “model” of the earth. Therefore, this reduction is the
basis for scale.
A map can either be a LARGE scale map or SMALL scale map.
• Large Scale Maps
– show a LARGE amount of detail over a small area
– useful for hiking, military scouting, residential
planning, theme park, conservation areas
• Small Scale Maps
– show a SMALL amount of detail over a large area
– used for political and physical maps
There are 3 types of scales that can be used on a map.
1. Direct Statement
• 1 cm to 5km
2. Linear Scale
• 0 5 10
15
20 km
1. Representative Fraction (RF)
• 1:500 000
What is the actual distance
from…
1. Toronto, ON to Ottawa,
ON?
2. Halifax, NS to
Charlottetown, PEI?
3.Winnipeg, MAN to
Victoria, BC?
4.Whitehorse, NWT to
Iqaluit, NUN?