Types of Maps
* A Map is a representation or drawing of the earth’s surface, or a part of it, drawn or printed on a flat surface, according to a scale.
You can use maps to access specific information about an area.
| Globe | Map |
| Three – dimensional | Two – dimensional |
| Represents the whole Earth | May represents the whole Earth, or just specific areas |
| Provides a broad – level picture of the world |
Provides more specific information about a part of the world |
| Spins on its axis | Doesn’t spin |
| Difficult to carry because it is made of hard material and cannot be folded |
Easy to carry because it is made of hard material and cannot be folded |
| Not used for navigation | Used for navigation |
* A compilation of many maps put together is called an Atlas.
Types of maps:
* Physical
* Political
* Thematic
* Physical maps show natural features of the earth.
* Physical maps are also called relief maps.
* Political maps show countries, states, cities, towns and villages.
* Thematic maps focus on a theme and provide specific information pertaining to that of theme.
Reading Maps – Distances and Directions
* The essential components of a map are distance, direction and symbols.
* Scale is a ratio that represents how many units of the earth’s surface are equal to one unit on the map.
* You use a large scale map to represent a small area and a small scale map to represent a larger area.
* Small scale map are less detailed than large scale maps.
* The letter ‘N’ with an upward arrow at the upper right hand corner of most maps is called the north line and it represents the northern direction.
* Using the north line as a reference you can determine the cardinal points.
* To locate a place accurately on a map, you can use the four intermediate directions.
* A compass is an instrument with a magnetic needle that always points in the north – south direction.
Symbols, Sketches and Plan
* Symbols refer to the letters, colours, pictures and lines used to represent different features on a map.
* The universal used in maps are referred to as conventional symbols.
* Two unconventional types of maps are a sketch map and a plan.