Maps represent areas of the Earth's surface and provide information like place names, land features, and boundaries. Maps usually have North at the top and use symbols in legends to label features clearly. There are physical maps of natural areas and political maps of borders. Thematic maps focus on specific themes like climate, vegetation, or population. Modern maps use satellite data to be highly accurate.

1. Created by tbonnar.

2.  A map is an image that represents an area of
the earth’s surface, usually from above.

3.  A map can provide
different
information such as
place names, land
features, elevation,
and political
boundaries.

4.  North is usually at
the top of the
map, check the
compass rose to see
if it has been
repositioned in a
different direction.

5.  Physical maps
indicate natural
features such as
mountains, deserts,
rivers and lakes.

6.  Political maps focus
on the division of
the earth’s surface
into different
countries, states or
provinces.

7.  Most maps in this
atlas will show
physical features as
well as country
borders, cities, and
towns.

8.  Today, scientists
can make more
accurate maps of
the world than
ever before.
 They can use
information from
satellites that
orbit the earth.

9.  A thematic map is one
that focuses on a
particular main idea (or
theme).
 These might include:
 Climate
 Vegetation
 Economy
 Population
 Language

11.  Map legends are very
important for all types
of maps, but perhaps
especially so for
thematic maps.
 Legends can include:
 Symbols
 Elevation
 Scale
 Colour Keys

12.  Maps often use symbols instead of words to
label real-life features and make maps clearer.

13.  Symbols
can be
small
pictures,
letters, lines
or coloured
areas.

14.  Each symbol
is placed in a
key or
legend next
to the map.
 The key
explains
what each
symbol
means.

15.  Climate Maps are a
type of Thematic Map.
 They present
information about
climate such as:
 Temperature
 Precipitation
 Sunshine Hours
 Growing Season
 Climate Regions
 Environmental Concerns

16.  Climate is the
overall weather
pattern of a region.
 The two major
aspects of climate
are temperature
and precipitation.

17.  A Climate Graph shows:
 A title
 Precipitation bars in blue
 A temperature line in red
 Months of the year
 Usually the Total Annual
Precipitation
 Sometimes the
growing season at 6°C
 Interactive Climate Graphs

18.  Revolution of the earth  Rotation of the earth
– causes seasons – causes day and night

19.  latitude – proximity to  altitude (elevation) –
the equator or to the temperature decreases
poles ex. high latitude 1 C for every increase
= lower temperatures of 165 metres

20.  wind – wind can lower or raise temperature
depending on where the wind comes from
 large bodies of water – water’s temperature
changes more slowly than land’s
temperature; therefore the temperature near
large bodies of water will be more moderate

21.  ocean currents – make the water cold or
warm and thus affect the land

22.  pollution (man-made or natural)
 gases in the atmosphere trap heat
 forest fires and volcanoes can also affect
temperature

23.  winds – will bring
precipitation to an
area
 large water bodies
– will usually
increase
precipitation in
that area

24.  air pressure –
differences in air
pressure cause
precipitation to fall

25.  temperature – interaction between warm
and cold air causes precipitation

26.  physiography – the presence of physical features
such as
mountains
or deserts

27.  Orographic – caused by mountains, as in
Greater Vancouver

28.  Convectional – thunderstorms, caused by the
rising of hot air

29.  Cyclonic – the most common type, caused by
differences in air pressure