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Table of Contents
The map is considered to be a geographer’s best friend. This is an important tool for them. One cannot totally observe spatial features, distributions, patterns, or relations of interest in a specific area without the help of maps. The branch of geography that deals with the art, science, and technology of graphically representing an area is called cartography.
See the fact file below for more information on the map reading or alternatively, you can download our 30-page Map Reading worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
ELEMENTS IN A MAP: DOGSTAILS
- There are nine (9) elements or parts of the map. These are:
- Date (When the map was made)
- Orientation (Compass directions, i.e. North arrow)
- Grid System (Used to report and to look up map coordinates)
- Scale (Used to determine the map distance)
- Title (What the map is supposed to portray)
- Author (Who or what institution made the map)
- Index (Map address of places, alphabetical order)
- Legend (What the symbols in the map mean)
- Symbols (What symbols were used to identify a place)
USING THE COMPASS
- Compasses are used to show the direction of places in the map.
- This is very important so that we can know how to use the map to move from one place to another.
FINDING THE ABSOLUTE LOCATION OF A PLACE
- Graticules are the numbers at the edges of the map that gives the coordinates for each line (latitude or longitude).
- Latitude graticules are marked along the east and west edges of the map, while longitude graticules are marked on the north and south edges.
- The map must identify where the latitude and longitude is in relation to the equator and Prime Meridian, respectively (Latitude – North or South of the equator; Longitude – West or East of the Prime Meridian).
USING THE GRID REFERENCES
- This is used to determine the location of a certain place within a square on the map.
- These are numbered to provide unique reference to the map features.
- There are two ways to refer to these features on the map: four grid and six grid reference.
- Grid references are typically used in land survey mapping.
READING AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS
- Usually, aerial photographs were taken through satellite, and from aircraft.
- These photographs are measured, which can be used to construct maps that has a lot of information on physical features (i.e. vegetation cover, land forms) and cultural features of the Earth’s surface.
- Data from aerial photographs is also used in preparing maps for land-use planning, managing forests, and other environmental protection initiatives.
- Google Earth displays satellite images from a vertical direction, although it also has a street view, if viewers would like to see the specific details of the place. It is a perfect application for exploring an area. On the other hand, Google Maps are helpful in terms of navigation purposes too.
Map Reading Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the map reading across 30 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Map Reading worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the map reading. The map is considered to be a geographer’s best friend. This is an important tool for them. One cannot totally observe spatial features, distributions, patterns, or relations of interest in a specific area without the help of maps. The branch of geography that deals with the art, science, and technology of graphically representing an area is called cartography.
Complete List Of Included Worksheets
- Map Reading Facts
- Identifying the Parts of the Map
- Map Directions: True or False?
- Four-Figure Map Referencing
- Estimating the Absolute Location
- Where in the World?
- What’s in Brazil?
- Planning a Road Trip
- Using Aerial Photographs
- Design Your Own Map Symbol!
- Mapping an Imaginary Area
Link/cite this page
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Link will appear as Map Reading Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, September 5, 2019
Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.