Planet Earth – Map Skills
1. Globe - A round shape object (sphere) with a map of the world on it.
2. Equator – An imaginary line circling the Earth that divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres (it runs east and west 0° degrees)
3. Prime Meridian – 0° degrees that runs north and south on the map. It divides the Earth into Western and Eastern Hemispheres.
4. Latitude - Lines that run east and west on a map, but measure the Earth’s surface in degrees north and south.
A) 0° line is the equator.
B) They are also called Lines of Parallel.
C) They give us climate zones.
5. Longitude – Lines that run north and south on the map, but measures degrees east and west.
A) They are also called Meridians.
B) They give us Time Zones.
** When doing Latitude and Longitude always give Latitude FIRST! **
40° N 75°W
(Latitude) (Longitude)
6. Compass Rose – A device to show directionality.
· North, South, East, and West are Cardinal Directions (Main Directions).
· Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, and Southwest are called Intermediate Directions (Secondary Directions).
7. Continents – There are 7 continents.
A) North America
B) South America
C) Europe
D) Asia
E) Africa
F) Australia
G) Antarctica
8. Oceans – There are 4 major oceans.
A) Atlantic Ocean
B) Pacific Ocean
C) Indian Ocean
D) Artic Ocean
The Three Major Latitudes
1. Low Latitudes – The Tropic of Cancer and Capricorn receive more direct sunlight than other parts of the world.
A) Tropic Zones are hot and sunny ALL year long
2. Middle Latitudes – Climate (weather) is mostly varied
30° - 60° degrees north or south of the Equator.
A) Cold Winters and Warm Summers same as north and south of the Equator
3. High Latitudes - 60° to 90° north or south of the Equator. This gives us the North and South Poles.
A) Very little direct sunlight
B) Arctic or Antarctic Regions
C) Climate is cold most of the year