Unit 1: Maps And Globes Flashcards
Describe a physical map
- they show the natural features and roughness of the earth
- also called topographical maps
- cartographers use shading to indicate different shapes
- land elevation is shown
Describe elevation maps
Show the height of the land above or below sea level
Describe population map
They can indicate population density (number of people per square kilometer in a given area)
Describe weather maps
They show the forecast for a given time period for a specific area
Describe political maps
Show the boundaries of, or boundary between countries. They usually show the capital city of each state, country, etc. They may also provide detailed information about cities, roads, lakes and rivers.
Describe a historical map
It gives a visual picture of historical events. It could show dates cities where founded, which European countries claimed specific areas of Africa, political boundaries at different times in history or battle sites. 2 or more maps can be used together to compare the same feature for different places. It can also compare the same feature for the same place at different times.
Describe a road map
Gives the indication of the location of a place by indicating the names and situations of roads.
Give the 2 advantages of topographical maps.
- because a great variety of information is included in them, most are commonly used as general reference maps. E.g. most hikers use topographical maps to navigate through wilderness.
- another advantage is the large scale representation of the land area, which means that relatively small pieces of land are mapped showing quite intensive detail.
What does the grid system do?
The grid system or coordinates system pinpoints location by using 2 curved measurement scale or coordinates that specify the position of a point, line or other geometric feature on a map.
Describe lines of longitude
Th y represent east-west location, and are shown on a map or globe by a series of north-south running lines that converge at the North Pole and South Pole and are the widest apart at the equator.
Describe lines of latitude.
Represent north-south location and are indicated on a map or globe by a series of east-west running lines that run parallel to the equator.
Name the important parallels and their degrees.
- Equator: 0°
- Tropic of Cancer: 23 1/2° N
- Tropic of Capricorn: 23 1/2°S
- Arctic circle: 66 1/2° N
- Antarctic circle: 66 1/2°S
Describe the shadow-tip method.
Step 1:
Place a stick or branch into the ground vertically at a fairly level spot where the sun will cast a distinct shadow. The taller the stick is, the easier it will be to see the movement of its shadow, & the narrower the tip of the stick is, the more accurate the reading will be. Make sure the shadow will be cast onto a level spot. Mark the shadow tip with something. First shadow always points in a westerly direction .
Step 2:
Wait 10-15 min until the shadow tip moves a few centimeters. Mark the new positions of the shadow tip.
Step 3:
Draw a straight line through the 2 marks made on the shadow tips. This is an east-west line.
Step 4:
Stand with the 1st make (west) to your left & the 2nd make (east) to your right. You are no approximately facing the north.
Describe the analogue watch method.
In the Southern Hemisphere:
- place the watch on a level piece of ground.
- point the figure 12 towards the sun. For more accuracy, align the shadow cast by the twig with the 12 o’clock line.
- the north-south line is the line dividing the angle between the hour hand and the 12 o’clock shadow cast line in half.
Describe satellite navigation (GPS)
For the Global Positioning System, all you need to do is download a GPS app.
