THE GEOGRAPHY TOOLKIT

QUESTIONING AND
RESEARCHING: MAPPING
Y. 9
: U N I T 1 . 3 ( P. 1 3 )
 CREATE MAPS AND OTHER GRAPHIC REPRESENTATIONS

•.
• A MAP IS A SIMPLIFIED PLAN OF AN
AREA, DIRECTLY FROM ABOVE.
• This ensures the SCALE (size) WILL BE THE SAME ACROSS
THE ENTIRE AREA.
• Maps can reveal a great deal about our planet and the ways in which we
use it.
• Geographers use different types of maps to show a whole range of
different natural and built features and the connections between them
 SIMPLE MAPS
• PHYSICAL MAPS :
• show the location and
names of natural features
of the Earth (e.g. deserts,
mountains, rivers, plains,
oceans, etc.)
 SIMPLE MAPS
• POLITICAL MAPS :
• Show the locations and
names of built features on
the Earth. These include
country borders, state and
territory borders, cities and
towns.
 SIMPLE MAPS
• DOT DISTRIBUTION
MAPS; (special distribution)
Use dots/shapes to represent
a range of different features.
The dots show the location.
The size and colour of the
dots show different
characteristics of that feature.
 SIMPLE MAPS
• FLOW MAPS
• Show movement
from one place to
another.
Arrows of different
thickness
and colours show
different things.
SIMPLE MAPS
• CHOROPLETH
MAPS
It use different shades
of the same colour to
give a quick impression
of the pattern of the
data being shown.
Darker shades show
the highest values.
 SIMPLE MAPS
• OVERLAY MAPS
• Produce a base map
showing one feature, then
create another map
showing the other feature.
 MORE COMPLEX MAPS
• TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS
• They show the shape of the land (hills and valleys) using contour lines
(link)
• Numbers on contour lines show the height of the land above sea level.
• The closer together the lines are, the steeper the land.
• Colours and symbols show other natural features such as forests and
rivers.
TOPOGRAPHIC MAP (VIDEO)
TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS : TEXTBOOK P. 16
 CARTOGRAMS (‘VALUE BY AREA’ MAPS)

• These are the maps that look distorted and have areas that appear
thinner or more enlarged than they would normally be, depending
on what value they are showing.
• The spaces on the
maps are distorted to show
a representation of a value
rather than land area.
 DIGITAL MAPS AND TERRAIN MODELS
• There are about 6000 man-made satellites orbiting the Earth. Many
of these collect digital data about the shape and height of the land
and transmit it back to computers on the ground. This data is then
interpreted and can be used to draw maps.
• Cartographers can use computer programs to add colours to these
digital maps to highlight certain aspects of the environment.
• In Source 6, for example, the land has been shaded according to its
height.
• The data can also be manipulated in other ways.
MOUNT KILIMANJARO
 WEATHER MAPS
• They show conditions in the atmosphere, such as air pressure, wind
speed and wind direction, rainfall and temperatures.
• They also show the size and
location of warm and cold
fronts.
• They are also known as
• SYNOPTIC CHARTS.
THEMATIC MAPS
• Show a particular theme
or topic
(e.g. distribution
of resources)
 GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS = GIS
• GIS are a way of creating, viewing, organising and analysing
geographical information with the use of a software application.
• They allow geographers to access and share an incredible amount of
data and look at the world in new ways.
• Three elements:
• 1. Digital base maps
• 2. data that is layered over the base map
• 3. a software application or platform that links these elements together
and allows the user to interact with all of this information.
• One of the most commonly used GIS platform is Google Earth.
 ESSENTIAL FEATURES OF MAPS:
BOLTSS
• B = BORDER : an outline or box drawn around the map.
• O = ORIENTATION: an indication of direction: north arrow/compass
• rose
• L = LEGEND: an explanation of the symbols, colours and patterns used
• (the ‘key’)
• T = TITLE: a heading that describes what the map is showing.
• S = SCALE: indicating what distances on the map represent in the real
• world. (Three types: = written, line scale or ratio)
• S = SOURCE: where the information used to create the map came from.
(or write ‘own map’ if drawn by yourself)
BOLTSS
 DIRECTION
• Direction is shown on maps by using compass points.
• COMPASS: instruments with a magnetised needle that always points to
the Earth’s magnetic field near the north pole. (magnetic north)
• Most maps are orientated to north.
• The face of the compass shows a circle made up of 360 degrees.
• CARDINAL POINTS: the four main directions = NORTH, EAST,
SOUTH, WEST
• COMPASS BEARINGS: a bearing is an angle that is measured
clockwise from magnetic north.
• Magnetic north can either be 0˚ or 360˚ / east is 90˚
south is 180˚ / west is 270˚
 SCALE
• SCALE is used to shrink or increase real world features so they will fit into a
space/map/ computer screen. (e.g. model cars)
• maps are scaled representations of real areas.
• Scale on maps allows you to work out the distances in the real world
• Types of scale:
• - WRITTEN SCALE: tells you in words how much a distance on the map
represents on the ground
• -e.g. ‘1 centimetre on the map measures 30 kilometres on the ground’
• -LINE SCALE: a numbered line that acts like a ruler.
• -RATIO SCALE: shows scale in numbers
SCALE

• WRITTEN SCALE

• LINE SCALE

• RATIO SCALE
• SLIDES
 COMPARING MAP SCALES
• Maps are often shown at different scales depending on the amount of
detail they need to show.
• -LARGE SCALE MAPS: They show large amounts of detail but
only a small area.
• - MEDIUM SCALE MAPS: They show a medium amount of
detail and a medium area.
• - SMALL-SCALE MAPS: They show a small amount of detail but
a large area
• See your textbook, p. 23
• Skill drill: p. 22
 YOU MUST KNOW THE FOLLOWING: (RATIO)
To convert from:

1 000 000 mm in 1 km mm to km you ÷ by 1 000 000

(move decimal 6 times to the left)
100 000cm in 1 km cm to km you ÷ by 100 000
(move the decimal 5 times to the left)
1 000 m in 1 km m to km you ÷ by 1 000
(move the decimal 3 times to the left)
100 cm in 1 m cm to m you ÷ 100

1 000mm in 1 m mm to m ÷ 1 000
 COMPARING MAP SCALES
• Maps are often shown at different scales depending on the amount of
detail they need to show.
• -LARGE SCALE MAPS: They show large amounts of detail but
only a small area.
• - MEDIUM SCALE MAPS: They show a medium amount of
detail and a medium area.
• - SMALL-SCALE MAPS: They show a small amount of detail but
a large area
• See your textbook, p. 23
• Skill drill: p. 22
 LOCATING PLACES ON MAPS
• Maps help us to find things/places we are looking for.
• GRIDLINES divide the map into smaller areas and help us find places
more easily.
• Types of GRID AND AREA REFERENCING:
• 1. Alphanumeric grid referencing: (textbook p. 24)
• Gridlines are labelled with letters and numbers.
• Letters appear along the bottom (or top and bottom) of the map.
• Numbers appear down the left-hand side (or both sides) of the map.
• E.g. The grid reference of a place can be B5 (letter first, then number)
• LETTER (you walk first x) NUMBER (then you climb y)
ALPHANUMERIC GRID REFERENCING: ( TEXTBOOK P. 24)
 LOCATING PLACES ON MAPS
• 2. Area referencing (AR)
• Each gridline is given a two-digit number
• EASTINGS; lines that run up and down the map (the numbers
increase as you move east.)
• NORTHINGS: lines run across the map (numbers increase as you
move north)
• Give a FOUR-FIGURE area reference; e.g. AR2813
• Eastings are given first (28) ; northings are given last (13)
• EASTING (you walk first) NORTHING (then you climb)
EASTINGS AND NORTHINGS
LOCATING PLACES ON MAPS
• 1. SIX-FIGURE GRID REFERENCING (GR)
• Help to locate exact points on topographic maps.
• The area between each easting and the next is divided into ten
further parts (tenths)
• Do the same in the area between northings
• This will add one more digit to the easting as well as the northing
• E.g.: GR297156
• Eastings are given first (297) and northings last (156)
• EASTING (you walk first) NORTHING (then you climb)
SIX-FIGURE GRID REFERENCING (GR)
 LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE
• Gridlines called LATITUDE and LONGITUDE are imaginary lines on
the surface
of the Earth.
• They help us to
locate places
accurately.
• YOUTUBE: LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE
• *Dr. Nagler's Laboratory: Longitude and Latitude
LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE
• LATITUDE: = ‘lat is flat’ = lines run form east to west (parallels of
latitude)
• Each of the lines is identified by DEGREES rather than distance
because the Earth is round, not flat.
• The line of latitude midway between the north pole (90 degrees
north) and the south pole (90 degrees south) is known as the
Equator, which is locate at 0 degrees
• the Equator divides the earth into the northern hemisphere and
southern hemisphere.
• Lines of latitude are measured in degrees north and south of the
Equator.
LATITUDE
THE EQUATOR (PRIME MERIDIAN: 0°) IS EXACTLY HALFWAY
BETWEEN THE NORTH AND SOUTH POLES
 LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE
• LONGITUDE: = ‘long is long’ = lines that run from north to south
(meridians of longitude)
• Lines of longitude are measured east and west of the Greenwich
meridian (also known as the Prime Meridian), which located at 0
degrees longitude.

• Check your learning 1.3: p. 25

 LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE
• LONGITUDE: = ‘long is long’ = lines that run from north to south
(meridians of longitude)
• Lines of longitude are measured east and west of the Greenwich
meridian
• (also known as the Prime Meridian),
• which located at 0 degrees longitude.
THE INTERNATIONAL DATE LINE: = 180°
WINDS AROUND L ARGE L AND MASSES AND GROUPS OF
ISL ANDS TO AVOID TIME CONFUSION
EDUCATION PERFECT:
H T T PS : / / APP. ED U C ATI O N PERFEC T.C O M/ C O N T RO L PAN EL / C O N T EN T/ AC T I V I T Y/5 9 F9 A3 2
9 - 0 3 A6 - 41 7 7 - A A FF- 4 E6 8 20 4 3 A4 E7

EDUCATION PERFECT ;
H T T PS : / / APP. ED U C ATI O N PERFEC T.C O M/ C O N T RO L PAN EL / C O N T EN T/ MAN AGE/ GEO GRAPH
Y/6 4 8 4 8 9 9 / / 20 20 8 1 2?ED I T MO D E=T RU E

LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE RECAP

* SONG (LINK)