SKILLBUILDERHANDBOOKR25
3.4 Interpreting Maps
MAPSare representations of features on the earth’s surface. Historians use maps to
locate historical events, to show how geography has influenced history, and to illus-
trate human interaction with the environment.
Different kinds of maps are used for specific purposes.
POLITICAL MAPSshow political units, from countries, states, and provinces, to coun-
ties, districts, and towns. Each area is shaded a different color.
PHYSICAL MAPSshow mountains, hills, plains, rivers, lakes, and oceans. They may
use contour lines to indicate elevations on land and depths under water.
HISTORICAL MAPSillustrate such things as economic activity, political alliances,
land claims, battles, population density, and changes over time.
Section 3:Exploring Evidence: Print, Visual, Technology Sources
Compass Rose The compass rose is a feature indicating the map’s
orientation on the globe. It may show all four cardinal directions
(N, S, E, W) or just indicate north.
LocatorA locator map shows which part of the world the map
subject area covers.
ScaleThe scale shows the ratio between a unit of length on the map
and a unit of distance on the earth. The maps in this book usually
show the scale in miles and kilometers.
LinesLines indicate rivers and other waterways, political boundaries,
roads, and routes of exploration or migration.
Legend or KeyThe legend or key explains the symbols, lines, and
special colors that appear on the map.
SymbolsLocations of cities and towns often appear as dots. A capital
city is often shown as a star or as a dot with a circle around it. Picture
symbols might be used to indicate an area’s products, resources, and
special features.
LabelsKey places such as cities, bodies of water, and landforms
are labeled. Key dates, such as those for the founding of cities,
may also be labeled.
ColorsMaps use colors and shading for various purposes. On
physical maps, color may be used to indicate different physical
regions or altitudes. On political maps, color can distinguish different
political units. On specialty maps, color can show variable features
such as population density, languages, or cultural areas.
InsetAn inset is a small map that appears within a larger map. It
often shows an area of the larger map in greater detail. Inset maps
may also show a different area that is in some way related to the
area shown on the larger map.
Lines of Latitude and LongitudeLines of latitude and longitude
appear on maps to indicate the absolute location of the area shown.
- Lines of latitude show distance measured in degrees north or
south of the equator. - Lines of longitude show distance measured in degrees east or west
of the prime meridian, which runs through Greenwich, England.
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Australia and New
Zealand to 1848
Albany, 1827 Melbourne, 1835
Adelaide,
1836
Russell, 1829
Wellington,
1840
Auckland, 1840
New Plymouth, 1841
Nelson, 1841
Dunedin, 1848
Brisbane,
1824
Newcastle,
1804
Sydney, 1788
Hobart, 1804
Launceston, 1804
Port Phillip, 1803
MurrayR.
Darl
ingR
.
Bass Strait
Great Australian
Bight
INDIAN
OCEAN
PACIFIC
OCEAN
Coral
Sea
Tasman
Sea
North I. L. Eyre
Tasmania
South
I.
GREAT
SANDY DESERT
SIMPSONDESERT
GREAT VICTORIA
DESERT
GIBSON DESERT
GR
EA
TD
IVI
DIN
GR
ANG
E
DA
RLI
NG
RA.
AUSTRALIA
NEW
ZEALAND
New Zealand1,300 miles
130
°E
120
°E
110
°E
140
°E
150
°E
20 °S
30 °S
40 °S
40 °S
170
°E
Tropic of Capricorn
0 500 Miles
0 1,000 Kilometers
0 200 Miles
0 500 Kilometers
Desert
Grassland
Savanna
Rain forest
Mediterranean
Woodlands
Densest Aborigine
or Maori populations,
around 1770
Date of European
settlement
Climate Regions
1
3
4
5
6
7
(^98)