How to Read a Map

• A Map is a graphic source which shows a place and important information about it.

• There are many types of maps and they have the same basic type of information.

• What kinds of information do remember could

be on a map?

All maps should have…

• Titles to tell us what the map is a map of and what is special about it.

• A Compass Rose to give us the directions on a map.• A Key to tell us what the symbols on a map stand

for. What are some symbols you may see in a key?• A Scale to tell us the distance in miles or kilometers

that 1 inch or 1 millimeter is equal to.

Latitude & longitude lines are found on a map. Each location on a map has a latitude and

longitude so we can always find it.

Which lines go north and south on a map?Latitude or Longitude

Which lines go east and west on a map?Latitude or Longitude

What do we call the special line of latitude that cuts the earth into a northern and southern hemisphere?

What do we call the special line of longitude that divides the earth into an eastern & western

hemisphere?

Prime Meridian Equator parallels meridians

There are many types of maps…• What is the name of a map that is

round like a ball and is on a pole?• What do we call a map that

shows geographic features of a place?

• What do we call a map that shows something special about a place like population, or religion?

• Special purpose map

• Globe

• Geographical map

More types of maps…

• This type of map shows the states in a country or the countries on a continent.

• This type of map shows how high above or below sea level the land is.

• This map may show the languages spoken in a place.

• Language map

• Political map

• Elevation map

Do you know…• What do map makers use on a map

key instead of color when the map is printed in black and white?

• What is the name of the imaginary pole that runs through the globe?

• What are the large areas of land masses on a map called?

• What are the large areas of blue on a map or globe?

• How much of the earth’s surface is covered with water? Land?

• 2/3 or 75%

• 1/3 or 25%

• Bodies of water

• Continents

• Shading/patterns

• The axis

Can you name the

• Continents?

• Majors oceans/seas?

• Large body of ice at

the South Pole?

• The continent that is a country?

Can you find these on a map?

• The continent you live on

• The continent of Africa

• Where you live

• The axis on a globe

Be sure to study for your map test!

• Take home your social studies book and review the map section at the front of the text book

• Take home your review sheet and study from it a little each night

Good Luck to you!