Map Skills

1. Map Skills Exploring through a WebQuest

2. Maps and Globes WebQuest • Maps and globes are used to learn information about the world we live in. • They show us all kinds of information about places. • You are about to begin a quest for information concerning Maps and Globes. You will be visiting different websites to find the information you need to answer various questions about Maps and Globes. • A few hints are listed below that will help you complete your quest successfully. Please read these hints before starting your adventure. • Click ONLY on the links that are part of the Maps and Globes Website. • Do you remember where each of the continents and oceans are located? Try the Continents and Oceans Quiz! • Good Luck!

3. Globes What is a Globe? • A globe is a map of the earth, shown around a ball. • Maps and globes can show us how the earth can be divided in half. The different halves are called hemispheres. The Hemispheres • The Equator, that solid imaginary horizontal line at the center of the earth, divides the earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. • All countries north of the Equator are in the Northern Hemisphere. • All countries south of the Equator are in the Southern Hemisphere. Eastern and Western Hemispheres • The vertical imaginary line called the Prime Meridian, divides the earth into the Eastern and Western Hemispheres • Click HERE to see a map showing a different hemispheres.

4. What is a Map? A map is a flat drawing of the earth or part of the earth. A map can show you the whole world at one time. There are several types of maps. Each show different information. Most maps include a compass rose, which indicates which way is north, south, east and west. Use the Compass Rose Worksheet and label the cardinal directions. Map Symbols Maps have a map key to show symbols on the map and what they mean. Symbols on maps stand for real things and places. Look at the Map Symbols Worksheet to see some symbols that can be used on a map. There are lots more that can be used. Use the Map Reading Activity Sheet #1 and follow the directions under the map.

5. Different Kinds of Maps You can look in an atlas to find different kinds of maps. An atlas is a book that has maps of the world, continents, countries, states, etc. Here are some different kinds of maps: • Road maps- show major, some minor highways and roads, airports, railroad tracks, cities and other points of interest in an area. People use road maps to plan trips and for driving directions.
Click HERE to see a road map of Virginia. • Weather maps- show weather patterns in cities, states, countries, etc.
Click Here to see a Weather Map. • Climate Maps – give general information about climate and precipitation (rain and snow) of a region. Click Here to see a Climate Map
 • Grid Map- a map in which a grid, or set of squares, is used to locate places. Each location uses a letter and a number on the grid. A3, D4  Click Here to see a Grid Map. Look at City Map Reading Activity #1 and #2 Worksheets. This shows a Grid Map of a city. Follow the directions under the City Grid Map.

6. Physical and Political Maps Physical Maps – show country borders, major cities and significant bodies of water. Physical maps also show the location of landforms like deserts, mountains, plains, rivers and lakes. These types of landforms are not included on Political Maps. The water is usually shown in blue. Colors are used to show differences in land elevations. Green is typically used at lower elevations and orange or brown is used on the lower elevations. Let’s look at a Physical Map. Get the Physical and Political Map Worksheet and get ready to answer some questions. Click Here to see a Physical Map and answer the questions on your worksheet. Political Maps – do not show physical features. Instead, they show state and national boundaries and capital and major cities. A capital city is usually marked with a star within a circle. Political maps usually include significant bodies of water. Click Here to see what a Political Map looks like and to help you answer the worksheet.

7. Congratulations! You now have a basic understanding of Maps and Globes. Keep an eye out for maps in your day to day life. They are everywhere and serve many purposes! Remember to put your name on your packet and to turn it in once you have checked it over!