Lines
What is the name of the imaginary line running east and west around the earth?
the equator
What is the name of the map tool that helps us determine the distance between two points on a map?
Map Scale
Name the 4 cardinal directions
north, east, south, west
What tool on a map shows us the meaning of various objects and symbols?
Map legend or map key
What part of a map is typically most helpful in making us understand what the map is about?
Map title!
Northern hemisphere & Southern hemisphere
True or False: The map scale is always found in the bottom left hand corner of a map.
False - the map scale can be anywhere the map maker puts it!
What is the object or tool on a map that shows the directions?
compass rose
True or False:
All rivers on all maps are colored blue on the map legend.
False = the color of a river can be any color the map maker wants it to be!
True or false: Maps are only used to show us where countries, states, and cities are located.
False! Maps are used to show us many different things, including physical features, hot dog consumption patterns, and average temperatures of an area.
There are two types of lines that make a grid pattern for most maps and for the earth. What are these lines called?
Latitude & Longitude
Map Scales use which type of unit of measurement to show distance:
A) feet
B) miles
C) kilometers
D) all of the above
D) all of the above!
True or False:
All maps show north at the top and south at the bottom.
False - most maps do, but not all. Sometimes, south is at the top of the map!
Roads, rivers, bridges, mountains, parks, capital cities, etc.
How many maps are on the walls of this room?
17
What is the name of the imaginary line that divides the earth in two eastern & western hemispheres?
False! Not all maps are meant for you to know distances, but instead can show different things, like population density or popular dog breeds.
What is a common acronym to help you remember the directions: North East South West?
Never Eat Soggy Waffles; Never Eat Soggy Worms; what else can you think of?!
True or False:
The symbols on a map legend can be any type of symbol the map maker wants them to be. For example, they could use a beach ball to indicate where a cemetery is located.
True! Usually symbols are representative of the object they are identifying, but don't have to be!
Most maps of the United States (like the one in the back of the room next to the window) show Alaska and Hawaii in little boxes below California and on top of Mexico. Why?
What degree latitude is the equator?
A) 90° North
B) 90° South
C) 180°
D) 0°
D) 0°
True or False:
Map scale is called map scale because originally, fish scales were used to measure distances on maps.
False!
Map scales are called scales because the show the 'scale' of a map using various distances. For example, 2" on the map = 2' in real life or 5cm = 10km
Explain the difference between a compass and a compass rose.
A compass is a physical object you hold in your hand and has a magnet with a needle that always points toward the north pole. A compass rose is a 2D object on a map showing directions of the map.
Explain the difference between a map legend and a map key.
Trick question - there is none! They are the same thing. Two different words for the same idea.
Why is it that rectangular, flat maps of the world can be misleading about the size and shape of various major land masses?
Because the earth is a sphere - it is impossible to make a sphere fit perfectly on a flat, 2-dimensional surface!