2.5 Reading a Map

compass rose
legend
locator
map scale

Vocabulary

• identify elements of a map

• use a map scale to measure distance

• compare and contrast the information shown on maps

Objectives

Reading a Map

​Essential Question: How do maps show information?

Match

Match the vocabulary word to its definition.

• an image showing the directions of north, south, east, and west

• a key or table on a map that explains what the map's symbols, lines, or colors mean

• an image of a globe or other large-scale map marking which part of Earth the map shows

• shows the distance on a map compared to the distance in the real world.

compass rose

legend

locator

map scale

• compass rose

• legend

• locator

• map scale

1. What is this map trying to show?

2. What could the mapmaker add to this map to help you understand it?

​

Think about it!

On this version of the map, you can understand that the shaded part of the map is Alexander the Great's empire. (Alexander the Great was a king in ancient Greece who conquered land that included parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia.)

​

Multiple Choice

Press on the map and locate Harrisburg on the map.

Then, look at the map legend. What does the legend tell you about Harrisburg?

• Harrisburg is one of Pennsylvania's largest cities.

• Harrisburg is the capital city.

• 
  Harrisburg is northwest of State College.

Draw

Draw a circle around a city on the map.

Different Maps, Different Information

1. Not all maps have the same elements!

2. Different maps have different purposes that are made by mapmakers.

3. Mapmakers include information they think is most helpful for the map's purpose.

Observe and discuss
What is the purpose of these two maps?

The purpose of the empire map is to show which parts of the world Alexander the Great's empire reached. It is helpful to know which part of the world—and how much of the world—the map shows. A locator globe helps with this.

​The purpose of the Pennsylvania map is to show the location of cities in Pennsylvania. For this purpose, it is not necessary to show where Pennsylvania is in the world.

Categorize

Options (3)

locator

legend

compass rose

Which elements of a map are included on the map below?

Included

Not included

Multiple Choice

Which is the most likely reason the map creator did not include a compass rose on this map?

• 
  Iraq does not use north, south, east, and west for directions.

• 
  The creator does not know which direction north is on the map.

• 
  North points up on most maps, so the creator does not need to point it out.

A map scale shows the distance on a map compared to the distance in the real world.

​

Map Scale

Multiple Choice

Press on the map. Use the map scale to answer the question.

About how far apart are Harrisburg and Scranton?

• 
  about 200 miles

• 
  about 40 miles

• 
  about 100 miles

Sizes of Map Areas

Maps show different sizes!
-Ex, A map may show a city, country, or continent.





Video on page 9 of the lesson.

Multiple Choice

Examine the map, including the map scale in the upper left corner. Based on the scale, think about the size of the area shown on the map. What would this map be useful for?

• 
  planning a trip to visit your friend in another city

• 
  navigating a city on foot

• 
  learning where in the world a country is located

Match

Expand each map and check its map scale.

Then, match the map to its description.

Middle size area of the three maps.

Biggest size area of the three maps.

Smallest size area of the three maps.

• Middle size area of the three maps.

• 
  

  Biggest size area of the three maps.

• Smallest size area of the three maps.

Maps may include labels for countries, cities, bodies of water, or other features.

This map is designed to give a general overview of Australia. The map has labels for some of Australia's cities, as well as major water features.

​
What labels do you see?

​Labels

-Different maps have different purposes.

​
-What is the purpose of this map? Hint, look at the title.

​Highway 1 (Australia) Map

Multiple Choice

This is a map of South Asia.

Which labels are not included on the map? Click on the map to enlarge it.)

• highways

• countries

• cities

Draw

Label the following elements on the map below.

• compass rose

• label

• legend

• locator

• map scale

• title