WHAT
IS A MAP?
IS A MAP?
Introduction
1. Even from the earliest days
the urge for man to explore has been great. The early travellers used natural
features to help them find their way from place to place.
the urge for man to explore has been great. The early travellers used natural
features to help them find their way from place to place.
By noting the position of the
stars, the moon and the sun, man devised a method of finding out where he was.
This meant exploration past known boundaries was now possible. As the explorer
ventured further and further from home and recognizable features disappeared,
he would often sketch his surroundings so that the way home could be found more
easily. These early ‘maps’ where often drawn on animal hide, stone or reed paper.
stars, the moon and the sun, man devised a method of finding out where he was.
This meant exploration past known boundaries was now possible. As the explorer
ventured further and further from home and recognizable features disappeared,
he would often sketch his surroundings so that the way home could be found more
easily. These early ‘maps’ where often drawn on animal hide, stone or reed paper.
2. If we think of the earth as a
sphere, we can imagine how it could be covered with imaginary lines to help
pinpoint a position on the surface. First of all the earth has an axis, running
from the True North pole to the True South pole – the only 2 points on earth
that do not rotate. Next, imagine a line that runs around the middle of the
earth half way between the North and South poles- this circular line is called the
equator.
sphere, we can imagine how it could be covered with imaginary lines to help
pinpoint a position on the surface. First of all the earth has an axis, running
from the True North pole to the True South pole – the only 2 points on earth
that do not rotate. Next, imagine a line that runs around the middle of the
earth half way between the North and South poles- this circular line is called the
equator.
3. If we add more lines running
parallel to the equator, they will also be circular, though smaller than the
equator; they are called lines of latitude. Lines on the Earth’s surface drawn
from pole to pole are called lines of longitude.
parallel to the equator, they will also be circular, though smaller than the
equator; they are called lines of latitude. Lines on the Earth’s surface drawn
from pole to pole are called lines of longitude.
Longitude
4. Longitude lines, also called
meridians, are circular. They are numbered and have a starting point at
Greenwich in England. This line is numbered zero and called the prime meridian-
all other lines are either east or west of it. Every meridian from one pole to
the other – is a semi-circle, and has an anti-meridian on the opposite side of
the earth. A meridian and its anti-meridian together make a full circle round
the earth.
meridians, are circular. They are numbered and have a starting point at
Greenwich in England. This line is numbered zero and called the prime meridian-
all other lines are either east or west of it. Every meridian from one pole to
the other – is a semi-circle, and has an anti-meridian on the opposite side of
the earth. A meridian and its anti-meridian together make a full circle round
the earth.
5. By numbering the lines, it
means that the whole of the earth can be covered.
means that the whole of the earth can be covered.
The position of each line is
expressed in degrees away from the prime meridian.
expressed in degrees away from the prime meridian.
For example in the diagram point ‘A’
is about 20° (degrees) west of the prime meridian. Point ‘B’ is about 40° east
of the prime meridian. Although this system can give reasonably accurate
positioning it is not accurate enough for everyday use, so each degree is
further broken down into 60 minutes. This now gives us a system of describing a
point’s location in terms of degrees and minutes either east or west of the
prime meridian (Greenwich).
is about 20° (degrees) west of the prime meridian. Point ‘B’ is about 40° east
of the prime meridian. Although this system can give reasonably accurate
positioning it is not accurate enough for everyday use, so each degree is
further broken down into 60 minutes. This now gives us a system of describing a
point’s location in terms of degrees and minutes either east or west of the
prime meridian (Greenwich).
Latitude
Lines of
Latitude
Latitude
6. Lines of latitude are circles
drawn around the earth, parallel to the equator.
drawn around the earth, parallel to the equator.
The equator, at zero degrees,
splits the earth into two halves, the northern hemisphere and southern
hemisphere. Using the lines of latitude you can describe any point’s location
in degrees and minutes either north or south of the equator.
splits the earth into two halves, the northern hemisphere and southern
hemisphere. Using the lines of latitude you can describe any point’s location
in degrees and minutes either north or south of the equator.
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