Maps and Globes are Models of Earth - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Maps and Globes are Models of Earth

Section 1.2Slide2

Maps and Globes

A map is a flat model of the surface of the Earth

It is the “Bird’s eye view” of an area

Show natural AND human-made features

A globe represents Earth as if you were looking at it from Outer Space

Shows relative sizes and shapes of Earth’s land and water featuresSlide3

Land Features on Maps

A

Relief Map

is a map that shows how high or low each feature is on Earth

A mapmaker uses pictures or satellite images to build the Three Dimensional view of the surface

Relief Maps show three main features:MountainsPlateausPlains Slide4

Mountains

Mountains stand taller than the land around them

A group of mountains is called a mountain range

The base of a mountain may cover several square kilometers

Name some well known mountain ranges:

Slide5

Plateaus

Have fairly level surfaces but stand high above sea level

Often found near mountain ranges

Colorado Plateau spans from Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and UtahSlide6

Plains

Gently rolling or flat features

The United States has two types of plains:

Coastal Plains near the eastern and southeastern shores

Interior plains in the center of the nation

The interior Great Plains covers the middle third of the countrySlide7

Map Symbols and Scale

To read a map, you need to know who to read the scale and key!

The Map Scale relates distances on a map to actual distances on Earth’s Surface

The scale can be in a ratio, a bar, or equivalent units of distance

For example, a ratio of 1:25,000 means that 1 cm on the map represents 25,000 cm (0.25 km) on EarthSlide8

Map Legend

A map legend (also called a key) is a chart that explains the meanings of each symbol on the map

Symbols can stand for highways, buildings, parks, etc. Slide9

Compass

A map usually includes a compass rose to show which directions are North, East, South and West

In general, north on a map points to the top of the pageSlide10

Understanding Latitude and Longitude

Lines of

latitude

and lines

longitude

cross one another.They form a grid system around the earth.

http://www.navfltsm.addr.com/globe.jpgSlide11

Latitude

Lines of latitude are also called

parallels

.

They circle the earth parallel to the

Equator. They measure north and south of equator in degrees.The Equator is at 0° latitude.The North Pole is at

90°N (north).

Maps101.comSlide12

Longitude

Lines of longitude are also called

meridians

.

They circle the earth from Pole to Pole.

They measure east and west of the starting line, at 0° longitude or the Prime Meridian.

Maps101.comSlide13

Absolute Location

Only

one

place can be found at the point where lines cross one another.

Use

degrees (°) and minutes (’) to give an exact spot where one line of latitude crosses one line of longitude – an absolute location.

http://www.navfltsm.addr.com/globe.jpgSlide14

Hemispheres

The equator circles the middle of the Earth.

It divides the earth into

hemispheres

or “half-spheres.”

North of the equator is the Northern Hemisphere.South of the equator is the Southern Hemisphere.Slide15

Maps101.comSlide16

Hemispheres

The Prime Meridian runs from north to south.

It divides the earth into

half spheres

in the other direction.

East of the Prime Meridian for 180 degrees is the Eastern Hemisphere.West of the Prime Meridian for 180 degrees is the Western Hemisphere.Slide17

Maps101.comSlide18

Using Latitude and Longitude

Use the information provided on your notes to answer the questions.Slide19

Review your answers

is

15°N

latitude and

150°W longitude. is 45°N latitude and

90°W

longitude.

is

15°S

latitude and

60

°

W

longitude.

is

0

° latitude and

150°E

longitude.

is

30°N

latitude and

60°E

longitude.

is

60°N

latitude and

0

°

longitude.

is

45°S

latitude and

90

°E longitude.Slide20

Map Projections

A Projection is a way of representing Earth’s curved surface on a flat map

Mapmakers use different projections, but all distort Earth’s surface in different ways

Cylindrical Projections

Conic Projections

Planar ProjectionsSlide21

Cylindrical Projections

Also called the Mercator projection

Useful for navigating at sea or in the air

Allows you to plot a course easily

Problem: Areas really far away from the equator appear much bigger than they actually areSlide22
Slide23

Conic Projections

Based on the shape of a cone

The latitude lines are curved slightly, this allows for a more accurate size and shape of some landmasses

Good for mapping large areas in the middle latitudes

However, landmasses near the equator or near the north or south pole will be distortedSlide24
Slide25

Planar Projections

Developed to help people find the shortest distance between two points

Good for plotting ocean or air voyages and showing the polar regions (both north and south)

However, landmasses further away from center point are distortedSlide26