Maps and Globes: Understanding Representations of Our World
Lesson Overview
- Ocean: What Is an Ocean?
- Hemisphere: What Is a Hemisphere?
- Map Key: What Is a Map Key?
- Equator: What Is the Equator?
- Continent: What Is a Continent?
- Maps and Cities: Are Globes or Maps Better for Cities?
- Map: What Is a Map?
- Intermediate Directions: What Are Intermediate Directions?
- River vs. Ocean: What Is the Difference?
- Continents and Water: Are Continents Always Surrounded by Water?
Maps and globes help us see and understand the Earth by showing its features and locations clearly. This lesson explains key ideas about maps and globes to help you use them confidently.
Ocean: What Is an Ocean?
An ocean is a very large body of salt water that covers much of the Earth's surface. Oceans connect and make up most of the planet's water.
Example: The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean on Earth, covering more area than all the land combined.
Quick Tip: Remember, oceans contain salt water, unlike lakes or rivers which usually have fresh water.
Hemisphere: What Is a Hemisphere?
A hemisphere is half of the Earth. The Earth can be split into two equal halves called hemispheres, such as the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere.
Example: The equator divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
Quick Tip: Think of a hemisphere as one half of a sphere, like cutting an orange into two equal parts.
Map Key: What Is a Map Key?
A map key, or legend, explains what the symbols and colors on a map mean. It helps you read the map correctly.
Example: A red line might show a road, and a blue area could show a lake, as explained in the map key.
Quick Tip: Always check the map key first to understand the symbols on the map.
Equator: What Is the Equator?
The equator is an imaginary line around the middle of the Earth. It splits the Earth into Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
Example: Places on the equator have warm weather all year because they get direct sunlight.
Quick Tip: The equator is like a belt around the Earth's middle.
Continent: What Is a Continent?
A continent is a very large landmass surrounded mostly by water. It includes many countries and regions.
Example: Africa is a continent made up of many countries like Egypt and South Africa.
Quick Tip: Continents are large pieces of land, not bodies of water.
Maps and Cities: Are Globes or Maps Better for Cities?
Maps show more detail about cities than globes. Globes show the whole Earth but can't show city streets clearly.
Example: A city map shows roads and landmarks, while a globe only shows the city's general location.
Quick Tip: Use a map when you want to find streets in a city.
Map: What Is a Map?
A map is a picture that shows parts of the Earth. It can show roads, rivers, mountains, and other features.
Example: A map of your town shows schools, parks, and streets.
Quick Tip: Maps show many features, not just roads.
Intermediate Directions: What Are Intermediate Directions?
Intermediate directions lie between the four main directions: north, south, east, and west. They are northeast, southeast, southwest, and northwest.
Example: If you go northeast, you travel between north and east.
Quick Tip: Learn intermediate directions to find places more exactly.
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River vs. Ocean: What Is the Difference?
A river is a freshwater stream that flows into larger bodies of water. An ocean is a vast body of salt water.
Example: The Nile is a river, while the Atlantic is an ocean.
Quick Tip: Rivers are smaller and fresh; oceans are large and salty.
Continents and Water: Are Continents Always Surrounded by Water?
Not all continents are completely surrounded by water. Some continents share land borders with others.
Example: Europe and Asia are joined, forming a large landmass without water all around.
Quick Tip: Continents may touch other continents by land.
Maps and globes give us ways to understand the Earth. Knowing about oceans, hemispheres, keys, and directions helps you read maps well and find places easily. This lesson on maps and globes builds your knowledge to use these tools with confidence.
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