This document discusses how maps are used to measure and represent planet Earth. It explains that lines of latitude and longitude create a grid system that allows locations to be precisely measured using degrees, minutes and seconds. Key elements of maps like the equator, prime meridian, hemispheres, and compass roses are also outlined to establish a framework for mapping the globe. Different map projections are introduced as well as the major components of maps.

1. Measuring Planet Earth
How do you know where you are going if
you don’t know where you are?

2. Measuring Planet Earth
∗ Lots of different maps have been created throughout history
∗ Why do you think people invented maps?
∗ Problem Solving like a human:
∗ If you wanted to travel somewhere else what two pieces of
information would be ABSOLUTELY necessary?

3. Measuring Planet Earth
∗ Hopefully you said…
∗ Where they live
∗ How far away it is
∗ This is where the lines
of longitude and
latitude come in
∗ If you turn your world
into a grid with units
of measurement you
can figure out where
you are going and how
far it will be

4. Measuring Planet Earth
∗ What is a grid and how is that
helpful?
∗ When using a grid you need to
know how to use coordinates
∗ (horizontal, vertical)
∗ The star is located at (4,D)

5. Using a Grid
∗ Before we move on…
Try practicing using a grid system

6. Measuring Planet Earth
∗ Lines of latitude run horizontally
around the planet
∗ Lines of longitude run vertically
around the planet
∗ To measure something, you need
to have a starting point
∗ Lines of latitude and longitude
have 2 starting points
∗ The Equator and the Prime
Meridian
∗ They divide the planet into
hemispheres

7. Mapping Planet Earth
Western Hemisphere Eastern Hemisphere

8. Measuring Planet Earth
∗ Label and darken the Prime Meridian and Equator on your map

9. Measuring Planet Earth
∗ If you’re going to have a numbered grid, you need to
determine your units of measurement
∗ To precisely locate points on the earth's surface, degrees
longitude and latitude have been divided into minutes (') and
seconds (").
∗ There are 60 minutes in each degree (it takes one hour to go
from one line to the next parallel)
∗ Each minute is divided into 60 seconds. Seconds can be
further divided into tenths, hundredths, or even
thousandths.

10. Measuring Planet Earth
∗ Before you can go very far with
your grid, you need to know
direction
∗ A Compass Rose will tell you
what direction you are headed in
from a given location
∗ North
∗ South
∗ East
∗ West

11. Measuring Planet Earth
∗ For example, the U.S.
Capitol is located at
38°53'23"N , 77°00'27"W
∗ In other words: 38 degrees,
53 minutes, and 23 seconds
north of the equator and 77
degrees, no minutes and 27
seconds west of the
meridian

12. Review
∗ What are latitude and longitude and what are they used for?
∗ What is a hemisphere?
∗ Explain what the equator and prime meridian are used for

13. Using Latitude and Longitude
∗ Let’s practice finding places on planet Earth
using latitude and longitude

14. Mapping Planet Earth
∗ Now that we know how to measure distance on Planet Earth
let’s figure out how to MAP it
∗ Problem Solving
∗ How do you turn a round object into a flat one?

15. Mapping Planet Earth
∗ Map makers run into the same problems as you do when
trying to convert the globe into a flat map
∗ They have come up with several different Map Projections
that try to show the world accurately but each projection has
its advantages and disadvantages
∗ Turn to page 107 in your Atlas

16. Mapping Planet Earth
∗ Now you know the basics about how to turn Planet Earth into
a flat map with a grid system that helps us find our way
around
∗ Let’s look at the major landmasses and waterways that cover
Earth’s surface
Continents and Oceans!

17. Mapping Planet Earth
∗ There are many different kinds of maps that we use for
many purposes but they all have one or more of these basic
∗ Parts of a Map
∗ Map Key
∗ Scale
∗ Compass

18. Parts of a Map
∗ A Map Key tells you what the symbols on a map represent
∗ In your Atlas find an example of a Map Key and point to it
∗ A scale will show how to convert the distances on your small
map into real world distances
∗ In your Atlas find an example of a Scale and point to it
∗ A Compass Rose will tell you the direction – North, South,
East or West
∗ In your Atlas find an example of a Compass Rose and point to it

19. Purposes of Maps
∗ Maps can be used to serve many different purposes
∗ Let’s look at some examples
∗ Physical Map – tells you the physical geography
∗ Political Map – tells you the political boundaries of countries
∗ Special Purpose Map – tells you almost anything you can
imagine

20. Purposes of Maps
In Your Atlas
Use pages 38-49 to demonstrate your
understanding of different kinds of maps