Geography: Class 6

The City School

Topic: Structure of the Earth and Types of Rocks
Handout 1 Subtopic: Elements and Types of Maps
Name: _____________________________ Class: _____________________________

Learning Objectives:
1.1.3: Explain how maps are developed, how to read and draw scale plans and maps
1.1.5: Analyse how to use different types of maps; Political, Physical, Relief & Thematic maps

There are many different types of maps, from simple sketch maps to give directions, to complex nautical
maps for ships to navigate the seas. In school, we learn about several types of maps, including political maps,
physical maps, topographical maps, topological maps, nautical maps, thematic maps and road maps.

A political map can show countries, country

boundaries, cities, seas and oceans. They usually don't
show physical features.

Political Map of Pakistan

Physical maps show the physical features of an

area such as major rivers and lakes, relief
(shape) of the land, deserts and landforms, such
as volcanoes.

Physical Map of the World

Source:
https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/
physical_world_map.htm

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 Geography: Class 6

The City School

A thematic map is a map that is designed to

show information about a single topic e.g.,
climate zones or populations. It does not
usually show political or physical features.

Thematic Map of the Unemployment Rate in

America

Topographical maps show the shape of the

land. Contour lines show the height of land.

Where the lines are close together, the relief

of the land is very steep.

Topographical map of a mountainous area

Nautical maps are sometimes called navigation

maps and are used by ships to safely navigate
through natural and man-made obstacles above
and below the seas.

Nautical Map of the Indian Ocean

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 Geography: Class 6

The City School

Road maps come in many different forms and show the

layout of roads and motorways so that people can plan
driving routes. Paper-based road maps are less popular
now that many people use satellite navigation devices.

Road Map of Karachi

Five Elements of a Map

Maps can vary in purpose and appearance. To help map readers interpret a map correctly, regardless of
which map they use, cartographers almost always include the following five elements.

Title: Every map has to have a title. This may seem simple but knowing what the map is about is vital to
understanding and interpreting the map correctly.

Scale: For the map to be rightly understood, cartographers must add a map scale. A map scale allows for
accurate representation on a much smaller scale, doing so with a series of lines and units much like a ruler.

Key: Key is an explanation of all the symbols scattered throughout the map. The key contains symbols and
colors next to a brief explanation of what each symbol means.

Compass: A small but important part of every map is the directional reference known as the compass, or
compass rose, which helps distinguish north, south, east, and west. The compass is usually a four- or eight-
point star which allows for any map to do be drawn from any orientation with respect to the Earth's surface
while maintaining its accuracy.

Latitude and Longitude: Latitude and longitude is a series of agreed-upon imaginary grid lines which allow for
accurate two-dimensional representations of our three-dimensional Earth. The numbering of this grid
increases with the distance from the starting points, up to 180 degrees from either side, creating a complete
360-degree circle around the planet in any direction.

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