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Map Skills
Scale & Projection
Map Scale
● Map scale helps determine how far one location is from another
● The scale is different on each map, depending on how zoomed in or zoomed out the map is
● A map’s scale is usually located in the bottom corner of the map itself
● The scale key shows what one inch on the map really represents on the actual piece of land○ Oftentimes, map scales will show inches per
mile and centimeters per kilometer, so make sure you’re aware of which measurement you’re looking for
Map Scale
How to Use Map Scale
○ Find the map’s scale key (usually in the bottom corner of the map)
○ Find the scale key in miles○ Using a ruler, measure the distance in inches
between your given locations■ (EX: Portland, Oregon to Boston,
Massachusetts is 10 inches)
How to Use Map Scale
○ Using the map’s scale key, determine how many miles equals one inch■ (EX: One inch equals 300 miles)
○ Multiply the number of miles per inch by the number of inches between your given locations■ (EX: 10 inches X 300 miles = 3,000 miles)
○ Write down your answer!
How to Use Map Scale
Image Credit: Brooklyn.cuny.edu
Image Credit: Hawaii.edu
Map Projection
● A globe is the most accurate representation of the Earth’s surface, but it’s a little inconvenient to carry a globe around in your pocket, so cartographers (map makers) create flat maps for convenience
● Map projection shows us how a round globe is warped and projected onto a flat map
Map Projection
●The land area around the equator remains fairly accurate on a flat map, but cartographers need to stretch the top and bottom of a round globe in order to make it wrap around a flat map
●As the map moves North and South from the Equator, land areas will gradually appear to become larger than they really are
●Since a flat map needs to show a round world, the land area near the Poles will appear larger than they actually are
Map Projection (USA)
Image Credits: True Size Of...
Map Projection (Antarctica)
Image Credits: True Size Of...
Map Projection Game
● Map Projection Game: For a visual representation of map projection, visit True Size Of… to see the true size of each country (and I thought Greenland was so big!)
