Map Types
This map category shows country and state boundaries, capitals, and major cities.
A political map
The title of a map is important because it explains this.
The map title
The imaginary line at 0∘0∘ latitude that divides Earth into Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
The equator
Regions near the equator that receive more direct sunlight year-round are called this
Low latitudes
These are actual photographs taken from airplanes that show a view from above.
Aerial photographs
This map type uses colors or patterns to show temperature or precipitation zones.
A climate map
The symbol on a map that tells you what colors, patterns, or icons mean.
The map key or legend
The imaginary line at 0∘0∘ longitude used as the starting point for measuring east and west.
The prime meridian
On a climate map, what climate type might the southeastern United States and Central America show?
Hot-humid climate
Images taken from satellites that can show changes over time (for example, lake size in 1985 vs. 2010) are called this.
Satellite images
This map shows natural features like mountains, rivers, deserts, and lakes.
A physical map
Name the major river that flows from the central United States to the Gulf of Mexico.
The Mississippi River
If a place is at 30∘N30∘N, is it north or south of the equator?
North of the equator
Explain one way a climate map could help someone decide where to live.
You can choose areas with climates you enjoy or where certain crops grow best; helps decide clothing, housing, and farming needs.
Name two things aerial photos or satellite images can show that maps sometimes do not.
Buildings, crops, hurricanes, wetlands, changes after deforestation or drought.
This map focuses on a specific topic such as population, language, or religion.
A thematic map
Give one reason why cartographers decide what information to include on a map.
To show a route, to highlight climate, to display natural resources, to help travelers, or to focus on a purpose that determines included information.
Which two points on Earth do all meridians of longitude meet?
The North Pole and the South Pole
Name the most abundant resource in the United States according to the resource map example.
Fertile soil
Explain how satellite images helped people see the effect of drought on the Great Salt Lake between 1985 and 2010.
The 1985 image shows the lake fuller; the 2010 image shows reduced water area due to drought, demonstrating loss of water and habitat over time.
A map that shows where natural resources or economic activities are found.
An economic or resource map
On a physical map of the U.S., the Rocky Mountains are on which side of the continent? (west/east) — then name another mountain range on the eastern U.S.
The west (Rocky Mountains) and Appalachian Mountains.
What is the absolute location system that uses lines of latitude and longitude to give an exact position?
The latitude and longitude grid system
Describe how latitude helps make generalizations about climate
Places near the equator (low latitudes) are warmer because they receive more direct sunlight; high latitudes are colder; middle latitudes have milder climates.
Describe how GPS works in one or two sentences and give one classroom activity students could do to learn about GPS.
GPS satellites send signals to a device to pinpoint absolute location using latitude and longitude; classroom activity: a simple geocaching scavenger hunt using GPS coordinates.