CGC 1W1 Mapping Concepts and Direction Study Notes

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering map elements, types of scale, directional bearings, and coordinate systems from the CGC 1W1 study notes.

Map Elements

Essential features on a map that provide the reader with critical information, such as title, legend, and compass.

Title

A map element that helps to focus the audience's attention on the purpose of the map, stated simply and clearly.

Legend

A map element that describes all unknown or unique symbols used on a map.

Compass Rose

A map feature, also called a North Arrow, that tells the reader where north is.

Scale

A map feature that compares distances on a map with the actual distances on the Earth's surface.

Direct Statement Scale

A scale where a specific distance on the map represents a distance in real life, such as $1\,\text{cm}$ on a map being $10\,\text{km}$ in real life.

Line Scale

A scale indicated or represented by line(s) drawn on a map where a specific length represents a real distance in the world.

Representative Fraction

A scale statement showing that one unit of distance on the map is multiplied by another number to give the real-world value (e.g., $1:50{,}000$).

Large-Scale Maps

Maps that show less area but much more detail, where the fraction of reduction is larger and closer to actual size in real life.

Small-Scale Maps

Maps that show more area but less detail, where the fraction of reduction is smaller compared to actual size.

Map Labels

Text on a map used to identify unique features (such as country, province, lakes, oceans, subway station, or hospital names) while avoiding repetition of items in the legend.

Date of Publication

Information telling how old a map is and whether it is up to date, which is essential when boundary changes or new street additions occur.

Map Border

An essential map feature that defines the outer boundary so readers know exactly where the map ends.

Cardinal Points

The 4 main directional points on a compass: N (North), E (East), S (South), and W (West).

Ordinal Points

The 12 directional points that fall between the Cardinal Points on a compass, including NE, SE, SW, NW, NNE, ENE, ESE, SSE, SSW, WSW, WNW, and NNW.

3 Figure Bearings

Directions expressed as three digits (an angle) starting from North ($0^\circ$), spoken with the word 'bearing' beforehand.

Lines of Latitude

Imaginary lines drawn around the Earth parallel to the Equator, spaced approximately $111\,\text{km}$ apart, that measure distance North and South of the Equator and never intersect.

Equator

An imaginary line at $0^\circ$ latitude that serves as the starting point for latitude lines and divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern hemispheres.

Lines of Longitude

Imaginary lines on the Earth's surface that run between the poles, used with latitude lines to establish a spherical coordinate system.

Prime Meridian

An imaginary line at $0^\circ$ longitude that serves as the starting point for longitude lines and divides the Earth into the Eastern and Western hemispheres.

International Date Line

The $180^\circ$ meridian of longitude where crossing it changes the calendar date.