Atlases and maps of the world are one way to learn about geography or social studies.
Learning to find your way in the world can begin with a basic understanding of maps. Most maps have a compass rose to show direction, a key and legend, plus latitude and longitude. Once you orient to what kind of information is on the map, you can try to find particular the features. Maps vary from street maps to topographical and weather maps, so start with one that is suitable.
Instructions
1. Find the compass rose and determine the main directions of north, east, south, west and northeast, southwest, northwest and southeast. These help you to orient to the map. Read the sides and top of the map for the latitude and longitude information. Look for where you live on the map.
2. Locate the map key or legend. Some have one or the other and some have both. Look at all the various symbols for lakes, rivers, mountains, and parks. If you have a large-scale map, which shows more detail, you will have an easier time finding what you are looking for. Smaller-scale maps show more area in a smaller space, so they have less detail. Find the scale for your map.
3. Locate the various bodies of water. Look for oceans and major lakes and rivers first. These are often in blue to help associate them with water. On a map of the United States, find the Mississippi, Colorado and Columbia Rivers -- these are large and easy to locate. Follow the course of each river and name the states through which it runs. Look for where the Columbia River enters the Pacific Ocean or the Mississippi River enters the Gulf of Mexico. Find the names of each of the Great Lakes.
4. Look for major mountain ranges such as the Rocky Mountains and list what states they cover. Find the Appalachian Mountains then look for the Smokey Mountans. California has the Sierra Nevadas, but see if you can find what other states those mountains touch.
5. Study the major highways that connect the states. Look for how many different mountain ranges or rivers a road, such as Interstate 40, might cross.
6. Find the National or State Parks. The borders are often shown on maps. See if you can find the rivers and mountain ranges within each park. Find parks that might be close together -- for example, what national park is just south of Yellowstone? Count how many parks are located within one state, like Utah, which has a number of National Monuments and parks. Notice how near or far the parks are from major cities nearby. Determine how you would reach one particular park if you wanted to travel there.
7. Get a map that is of a smaller area, like a city map. Find the legend and compare it to the larger map. Notice any differences and determine why it is important for each map to use the different or similar symbols. Trace the path of a river. Look for elevations of tall mountains.
Tags: mountain ranges, compass rose, lakes rivers, latitude longitude, Look where
