Maps are a flat picture of a place from above. Different types of maps show you different things.

Map

A globe is a round model of the Earth. It is difficult to see much detail, but it lets you know what Earth looks like from space.

​​Globe

​These show boundries of countries, states or cities. Also called political maps.

​​Geographic

​The show current and future weather predictions.

​​Weather

Shows mountains and valleys clearly.

​​Topographic

Shows what is grown or made in various areas.

​​Resources

Maps have parts

​Compass Rose

Key or Legend

Title

The compasss shows the 4 directions. Most of the time North is up on a map.

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Compass Rose

​North

​East

​South

​West

Map keys use symbols to locate places on a map.

​A star often means the capital. An airplane stands for an airport and a blue H represents a hospital.

Map Key (or legend)

Roads can be shown in many colors. The thicker the line, the bigger the road. Rivers are blue lines, you may also see lakes and ponds - some have rivers into or out of them.

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Roads and Rivers