Map Reading, Geographic Coordinates, and Earth Space Concepts (module 2)

What is the proper orientation of a map?

North is at the top, South at the bottom, West on the left, and East on the right.

What is a compass rose?

A feature on a map that shows the directions of North, South, East, and West.

How are map directions expressed numerically?

Map directions can be expressed as degrees, such as 0 degrees for North, 90 degrees for East, 180 degrees for South, and 270 degrees for West.

What does scale on a map indicate?

Scale indicates the relationship between distance on the map and distance on the ground.

What are the three types of scales used on maps?

Relative fraction (e.g., 1/40,000), written scale (e.g., one inch equals 2,000 feet), and graphic or bar scale.

What is the Earth's shape and its circumference?

The Earth is an oblate spheroid with a circumference of nearly 24,900 miles.

How many miles does each degree of latitude represent?

Each degree of latitude represents approximately 69 miles.

What is absolute location?

Absolute location is a place's precise location defined mathematically using longitude and latitude.

What is relative location?

Relative location refers to a place's location in relation to other places.

What is the geographic grid?

The geographic grid is the combination of longitude and latitude that expresses the precise location of a place.

What are the Prime Meridian and Equator?

The Prime Meridian is the starting point for longitude, while the Equator is the starting point for latitude.

What is map rendering?

Map rendering refers to techniques used by mapmakers to visually present map data, including coloration, hatching, stippling, and symbols.

What is map distortion?

Map distortion refers to the inaccuracies that occur when representing a three-dimensional Earth on a two-dimensional map.

What are the types of map projections?

Types of map projections include planar, conical, and cylindrical.

What is a legend on a map?

A legend explains what the symbols on the map mean.

What is the significance of great circles in map reading?

Great circles represent the shortest distance between two points on the surface of a sphere.

What is the difference between situation and site characteristics?

Situation characteristics refer to a location's relation to other locations, while site characteristics refer to the physical attributes of a location.

What is a verbal scale?

A verbal scale describes the relationship between map distance and ground distance in words, such as 'one inch equals 2,000 feet.'

How does latitude relate to climate?

Latitude affects climate by determining the amount of sunlight received, influencing temperature and weather patterns.

What is the role of transportation access in relative location?

Transportation access can significantly influence a location's relative location by affecting connectivity and economic activities.

What type of galaxy is the Milky Way?

The Milky Way is a spiral galaxy containing approximately 200 billion stars.

What is the estimated diameter of the Milky Way?

The diameter of the Milky Way is estimated to be 100,000 light years.

How thick is the galactic bulge of the Milky Way?

The galactic bulge is thought to be about 1,300 light years thick.

What is the distance between the spiral arms of the Milky Way?

The distance between the spiral arms is about 6,500 light years.

Where is the Sun located within the Milky Way?

The Sun is located on one of the spiral arms of the galaxy, about two-thirds of the way out.

What is the surface temperature of the Sun?

The Sun's surface temperature is 5700 degrees Celsius.

What is the diameter of the Sun?

The Sun has a diameter of 865,000 miles.

What are the primary components of the Sun?

The Sun is composed mostly of hydrogen (70%) and helium (27%).

How many planets revolve around the Sun?

There are nine planets that revolve around the Sun.

What is the average distance from Earth to the Sun?

The average distance from Earth to the Sun is 93 million miles.

How long does it take Earth to orbit the Sun?

Earth takes 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 46 seconds to orbit the Sun.

What is the shape of the Earth?

Earth is an 'oblate spheroid', meaning it is almost a sphere but slightly flattened at the poles.

What is the estimated age of the Earth?

The age of the Earth is estimated to be 4.7 billion years.

What is the circumference of the Earth?

The circumference of the Earth is 24,901 miles.

What percentage of Earth's surface is covered by water?

75% of the Earth's surface is covered by water.

What is the composition of Earth's water?

97% of Earth's water is saltwater, while only 3% is freshwater.

What are the main zones of Earth's internal structure?

The main zones are the crust, upper mantle, lower mantle, outer core, and inner core.

What is the purpose of the Metes and Bounds system?

The Metes and Bounds system is used to describe property locations, particularly in the eastern US.

What does 'metes' refer to in the Metes and Bounds system?

'Metes' refers to a boundary defined by the measurement of each straight run, specified by distance and direction.

What does 'bounds' refer to in the Metes and Bounds system?

'Bounds' refers to a more general boundary description, such as along a watercourse or existing building.

What is the Lot and Block Survey method?

The Lot and Block Survey method is used to locate and identify land, particularly in urban areas.

What is the Land Ordinance of 1785?

The Land Ordinance of 1785 established a rectangular survey system for mapping and surveying land.

How is land divided in the Township and Range Survey System?

Land is divided into 36 square mile parcels called townships, which are further divided into sections.

What is a section in the Township and Range Survey System?

A section is a parcel of land that is 640 acres and 1 mile on each side.

What are contour lines on topographic maps?

Contour lines are lines drawn on a map showing places of equal elevation.

What do closely spaced contour lines indicate?

Closely spaced contour lines indicate steep slopes.

What do widely spaced contour lines indicate?

Widely spaced contour lines indicate gentle slopes.