MappingMapping

The art of mapmaking is known as cartography

- Has changed a lot over time (just 500 years ago the - Has changed a lot over time (just 500 years ago the Earth was flat!!)Earth was flat!!)

Practical reasons such asPractical reasons such as

• Locating a particular placeLocating a particular place

• Political boundariesPolitical boundaries

• zoningzoning

• mountain elevationmountain elevation

• environmental & population distribution environmental & population distribution

Why do we have maps?Why do we have maps?

Global GridGlobal Grid

Latitude and longitude are lines on the Latitude and longitude are lines on the globe that are used to determine location.globe that are used to determine location.

•LatitudeLatitude is distance north or south of the equator, measured in degrees. is distance north or south of the equator, measured in degrees. ( 0 = Equator ) (the equator divides the world into northern and southern ( 0 = Equator ) (the equator divides the world into northern and southern hemispheres)hemispheres)

•Longitude Longitude is distance east or west of the prime meridian, measured in is distance east or west of the prime meridian, measured in degrees. ( 0 = Prime Meridian ) (runs through Greenwich, England)degrees. ( 0 = Prime Meridian ) (runs through Greenwich, England)

(prime meridian divides the world into eastern and western hemispheres)(prime meridian divides the world into eastern and western hemispheres)

•Time is based from the Prime MeridianTime is based from the Prime Meridian

Measured in degrees (Earth = 360Measured in degrees (Earth = 360° in ° in circumference)circumference)

Global GridGlobal Grid

1.31.3 Representing Earth’s SurfaceRepresenting Earth’s Surface

No matter what kind of map is made, some portion No matter what kind of map is made, some portion of the surface will always look either too small, too of the surface will always look either too small, too big, or out of place because maps are a flat big, or out of place because maps are a flat representation of a 3 dimensional Earth. representation of a 3 dimensional Earth. Mapmakers have, however, found ways to limit the Mapmakers have, however, found ways to limit the distortion of shape, size, distance and direction.distortion of shape, size, distance and direction.

Map: a flat representation of the Earth’s Map: a flat representation of the Earth’s surface.surface.

Globe: a 3 dimensional model that more Globe: a 3 dimensional model that more accurately portrays the Earth.accurately portrays the Earth.

Different types of MapsDifferent types of Maps

5.5. Topographic MapsTopographic Maps

• Differ from other maps because they Differ from other maps because they show elevation of the Earth’s surfaceshow elevation of the Earth’s surface

• Used by geologist, hikers, campers, Used by geologist, hikers, campers, military, and anyone else interested in military, and anyone else interested in the elevation of an area.the elevation of an area.

Contour linesContour lines – lines used to indicate a – lines used to indicate a certain elevation. Every point along a certain elevation. Every point along a contour line has the same elevation. contour line has the same elevation.

Topographic MapsTopographic MapsContour intervalContour interval – is the difference in – is the difference in

elevation between adjacent lines elevation between adjacent lines ( the contour lines next to one another )( the contour lines next to one another )

• By looking at topographic maps we can tell By looking at topographic maps we can tell how steep certain areas are and where hills how steep certain areas are and where hills and valleys are located.and valleys are located.

• Lines that are closer together indicate a steep Lines that are closer together indicate a steep slope.slope.

• Lines that are farther apart indicate a gentler Lines that are farther apart indicate a gentler slope.slope.

Topographic MapsTopographic MapsGradient = slope (Rise over Run) Gradient = slope (Rise over Run) (∆Y/∆X)

A contour maps shows a change in elevation of 60 meters between 2 points that are 3 kilometers apart. What is the gradient?

60m/3km = 20m/km

Let’s see what you know.

400m 800m

1000m

1200m

A

B

C

D

E

F

600m

1. What is the contour interval of this map?

2. What has been added to the topo map to indicate the depression at the top of this hill?

3. What is the highest elevation of this hill?

• 4. In which direction is Hammer Stream flowing?

5. What is the contour interval of this map? 

6. What is the highest elevation of the island?

7. In which direction is Amethyst River flowing?

8. On which side of diamond peaks is the steepest slope?

9. What are the

elevations of the

following points?

A.

B.

C.

10. What is the contour interval of this map?

11. Which side of the hill has the steepest slope?

• 12. What is the contour interval of this map?

• 13. What is the change in elevation between points X and Y?

• 14. In which direction is Snapper Creek flowing?

• 15. What is the highest elevation on this map?

16. Which side of this island is steeper? 

17. What is the elevation of the outermost contour line?

18. In which direction is Mud Creek flowing?

19. What is the contour interval of this map?

20. Is there a difference in elevation of points A, B, and D? How do you know?