Geography Quiz: Types of Maps and Concepts

Types of Maps

• Topographic Map: Shows elevation with contours. Large scale. Includes hydrography, vegetation, routes, and population.
• Weather Map: Shows current weather conditions.
• Political Map: Shows subdivisions of territories (countries, states, municipalities, etc.).
• Urban Map: Shows features within a city (infrastructure, avenues, streets, services, etc.).
• Tourist Map: Helps tourists find areas of interest, transportation, beaches, etc.

Longitude

• Distance measured in degrees east or west from the Greenwich meridian (0°).
• Ranges from 0° to 180°.

Altitude

• Height measured in meters from sea level.

Polar Circles

• Arctic Circle: Imaginary circle at 66° 33' North latitude in the Northern Hemisphere.
• Antarctic Circle: Imaginary circle at 66° 33' South latitude in the Southern Hemisphere.

Map Scales

• Objective: Use different map scales to represent the size of geographical space on a map.
• Scale: The mathematical relationship between real size and size on a map. Represents how much the ground was reduced.
• Graphical Scale: Segmented graph for measuring distances on the map.
• Numerical Scale: A fraction representing the relationship between real distance and map distance

Geographic Coordinates

• Objective: Locate points and areas on a map.
• Coordinate system using cardinal directions and latitude & longitude.
• Latitude: Distance in degrees north or south from the equator (0° to 90°).
• Longitude: Distance in degrees east or west from the Greenwich meridian (0° to 180°).

Geographic Space Representations

• Croquis: Simple sketch using a large scale. Not precise, distances are not accurate.
• Plano: Represents local space with accurate dimensions and scales.
• Globe: 3D model of Earth. Shows shape, coordinates, continents, and oceans.
• Map: Flat representation of Earth's surface.
• Satellite Image: Visual representation captured by sensors on a satellite.
• Geographic Information System (GIS): Computer system that stores, analyzes, and relates information to create maps.
• Atlas: Collection of maps with different themes.

Map Elements

• Title: Indicates the subject, location, and time period of the map.
• Orientation: Shows wind direction or a north arrow to identify cardinal points.
• Coordinates: System of imaginary lines (latitude and longitude) for locating points.
• Scale: Shows the relationship between real size and the size on the map.
• Symbology: Language used on the map to represent information. Includes lines, points, colors, areas, or icons that are explained in a key.

Time Zones

• Created during the Industrial Revolution to standardize time.
• Greenwich meridian is the starting point.
• Every 15 degrees of longitude represents a new time zone (24 in total).

Points, Lines, and Circles on the Planet

• North Pole: Imaginary point at 90° North on Earth's axis.
• South Pole: Imaginary point at 90° South on Earth's axis.
• Greenwich Meridian: Imaginary line (0°) that divides Earth into East and West hemispheres.
• Equator: Imaginary line at 0° latitude that divides Earth into Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
• Earth Axis: Imaginary line through Earth's center, tilting the planet.
• Tropic of Cancer: Imaginary circle at 23° 27' North latitude in the Northern Hemisphere.
• Tropic of Capricorn: Imaginary circle at 23° 27' South latitude in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Antimeridian: Imaginary line at 180° longitude that divides the day from night.

Types of Maps

• Economic Map: Shows economic activities (agriculture, mining, industry, trade).
• Social Map: Shows social development (population, education, income).
• Demographic Map: Shows population information (number, age, gender).
• Cultural Map: Shows information about a country's culture (languages, religions).