Lecture Notes on Reading Maps and Map Skills

These flashcards focus on the key concepts and information related to reading maps and map skills covered in the lecture.

What is the definition of a map?

A two-dimensional representation of the surface of the world.

What symbols are commonly used on maps?

Points, lines, area patterns, and colors.

How do maps represent reality?

Maps are abstractions where cartographers select essential information suitable for the map's purpose and scale.

What are three uses of maps?

To represent places, locate places on Earth, and show distribution patterns.

What features does a physical map show?

Natural features such as continents, oceans, islands, lakes, rivers, mountains, plains, and deserts.

What distinguishes a political map?

It shows political boundaries and may feature both natural and political boundaries.

What information does a landform map display?

It shows how the Earth's surface varies, including mountains, hills, etc.

What do street maps depict?

They generally represent small areas with lots of detail.

What do topographic maps show?

Elevation with contour lines and detailed physical features.

What is a key or legend on a map?

An area that explains what each symbol on the map represents.

What is a grid reference in mapping?

It indicates locations using eastings and northings.

What does a representative fraction indicate?

The scale of the map represented numerically, such as 1:50,000.

What is the purpose of contour lines on a map?

To connect points of equal elevation.

How is gradient illustrated by contour lines?

Wider spaced contours indicate a gentle slope; closer spaced contours indicate a steeper slope.

What do dashed lines signify on a contour map?

They indicate a depression, sinkhole, or mine.

What is a contour interval?

The difference in elevation between two contour lines that are side by side.