Where in the World Are We?: Geographic Tools

Map Skills

​Globes

​A globe is a round map of the world. By using a globe, you can see how the Earth rotates and where each country is in relation to other countries.​

Maps

​A flat map shows the same cities, countries, oceans, and landforms as a globe, but it allows us to see the entire world all at once. A map can also show only a specific location.

Parts of a Map

Maps include more than just countries, cities, oceans, and landforms. Maps also include special tools that help you find what your are looking for.

​Some tools include:

• Compass Rose

• ​Legend

• ​Scale

• ​Grid System

• ​Symbols

All maps have a compass rose, or a drawing showing the directions on the map. The compass rose always shows the cardinal directions

• ​North

• ​South

• ​East

• ​West

​The compass rose also shows the intermediate directions:

• ​Northeast

• ​Southeast

• ​Southwest

• ​Northwest

Compass Rose

The legend of a map is a key that lists all of the symbols on a map. These symbols stand for things such as the streets, rivers, monuments, parks, building, capital cities, and schools.

​

​The legend on a map helps you to know what each symbol means

Legend/Key

Another tool used on a map is a scale. A map's scale shows the distance represented on the map. One inch on a map will be equal to an actual distance in miles.

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​For example, an inch on the map may be equal to 1,000 real miles.

Scale

Some maps use a grid system, or a system of numbered and lettered lines, to help you find places more easily. On a map that uses a grid system, there will be letters, such as A, B, C, etc. running across the top of the map and numbers, such as 1, 2, 3, etc. running down the side of the map.

​

If you know a certain place is located at point 2A,

you can easily find it using a grid system

Grid System

Multiple Choice

Cardinal Directions are...

• North, South, East, West

• Up, Down, Left, Right

• Here, There, Over There, Under That

• Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast

Multiple Choice

We can use the lines of a _________ to help find a location on a map.

• Ruler

• Map Grid

• Clock

• Sheet of paper

Multiple Choice

What is this mapping tool called?

• Key

• Legend

• Compass Rose

• Map Scale

Multiple Choice

What is the map element that tells what symbols on the map mean?

• Key/Compass
• Key/Legend
• Legend/Scale
• Inset/Scale

Multiple Choice

A 3D sphere that shows a map of the earth is called a...

• globe

• continent

• country

• ball

Multiple Choice

What direction is missing?

• north

• south

• east

• west

Multiple Choice

What is a map scale?

• a tool to measure distance
• a tool to tell direction
• a tool to start a fire
• a tool to build a house

Multiple Select

What is the part of the map that tells you what the colors and symbols called? (More than 1 correct answer, you must select both)

• Key

• Compass Rose

• Legend

• Map Scale

Multiple Select

Select all of the Intermediate directions we discussed.

• Northeast

• Southeast

• Northsouth

• Northwest

• Southwest