MAP SKILLS
What is a map?
A drawing or picture that shows parts of the Earth’s surface.
What is a political map?
A map that shows borders, cities, and countries.
What is a civilization?
A group of people with organized governments, cultures, and ways of life.
What is geography?
The study of Earth’s land, water, people, and places.
What is climate?
The average weather in a place over a long time.
What does the compass rose show?
It shows directions — north, south, east, and west.
What is a physical map?
A map that shows landforms like mountains, rivers, and deserts.
Why do we study civilizations?
To learn how people lived, solved problems, and shaped history.
What is a landform?
A natural feature on Earth’s surface like a mountain, plain, or valley.
How does climate affect civilizations?
It affects what people eat, wear, and how they build homes.
What is the legend (key) used for on a map?
It explains what the symbols and colors on a map mean.
Why are trade route maps important?
They show how goods and ideas moved between civilizations.
What does G.R.A.P.E.S. stand for?
Geography, Religion, Achievements, Politics, Economics, and Social structure.
Name 3 examples of landforms.
Mountains, plateaus, rivers, plains, etc.
Why were trade routes important to ancient civilizations?
They allowed people to exchange goods, ideas, and culture.
What is the scale on a map used for?
It shows the relationship between distances on the map and actual distances on Earth.
Why do geographers use different kinds of maps?
Each type of map helps answer different questions about the world.
What part of G.R.A.P.E.S. would describe a civilization’s laws and leaders?
Politics.
How can mountains affect where people settle?
They make travel and farming harder, so people settle in valleys or near rivers.
How could harsh climates challenge civilizations?
They made farming and travel more difficult.
Why is elevation important on a map?
It shows how high or low the land is, which helps people understand mountains, valleys, and where to settle.
What is the difference between a political and physical map?
Political maps show human-made boundaries; physical maps show natural features.
What part of G.R.A.P.E.S. would describe jobs and trade?
Economics.
How can rivers help civilizations grow?
They provide water, food, and transportation for trade.
What is one reason civilizations developed near rivers?
Rivers provided water for farming and trade routes for travel.