Globes and Maps Lesson with Easy Examples

Lesson Overview

• What Is a Globe?
• What Is a Map?
• Globes vs. Maps
• Continents and Oceans
• The Equator and Hemispheres
• Latitude and Longitude
• Parts of a Map (Map Elements)
• Why Maps Are Useful
• Cartographers – Map Makers
• The Earth's Axis

Imagine you have a tiny Earth that you can hold in your hands or a picture that shows all the places in the world. Globes and maps are tools that help us explore our planet. They show where countries, oceans, mountains, and cities are located. 

By learning how globes and maps work, you can find places and understand the world around you. Let's learn about what globes and maps are, the big pieces of land called continents, imaginary lines on Earth (like the equator, latitude, and longitude), and parts of a map like keys and compasses.

What Is a Globe?

A globe is a small, round model of Earth. It shows the entire world-continents, oceans, and important lines like the equator. Since it's shaped like a sphere, just like Earth, it gives a true picture of the planet's shape and size. Many globes spin on a tilted rod called an axis, just like how Earth rotates. Globes are three-dimensional, so they show the real proportions of land and water without stretching. In classrooms, globes help us see where places are and how they relate to each other.

What Is a Map?

A map is a flat drawing of a place. It can show the whole world, a country, or even a neighborhood. Maps flatten the round Earth onto paper or a screen, making them easy to use, fold, or hang. They use lines, symbols, and colors to represent land, water, and features like roads or cities. 

There are many types of maps: world maps show continents and oceans, country maps show regions and rivers, and city maps show streets and buildings. Some maps focus on specific topics like weather, roads, or landforms. Because maps can zoom in on small areas, they're great for finding locations or planning trips. Though flattening Earth causes some distortion, maps remain essential for everyday use and detailed study.

Globes vs. Maps

Globes and maps both show us Earth, but they have different strengths and weaknesses. Here are some key differences between a globe and a map:

Take This Quiz:

Maps And Globes Quiz

Continents and Oceans

The Earth's surface is divided into large land areas and large water areas. The big land areas on Earth are called continents. A continent is a very large continuous area of land, usually containing many countries. On a globe or world map, you can spot the continents by their distinct shapes and sizes. There are seven continents on Earth. They are:

• Asia – the largest continent (it includes China, India, and many other countries).
• Africa – a huge continent known for the Sahara Desert and rich wildlife.
• North America – includes countries like the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
• South America – home to the Amazon rainforest and countries like Brazil and Argentina.
• Antarctica – an icy continent at the South Pole with no permanent residents (only visiting scientists).
• Europe – a continent with many small countries (like France, Germany, and Spain) and part of Russia.
• Australia – the smallest continent, which is also a single country (Australia). Sometimes this continent is called Australia/Oceania to include nearby Pacific islands.

Each continent has its own unique geography, people, and wildlife. For example, Asia has the tallest mountains (the Himalayas), and Africa has vast grasslands and jungles.

The large bodies of water on Earth are called oceans. Oceans cover most of our planet's surface. There are five oceans: the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Arctic Ocean, and Southern Ocean. The Pacific is the biggest, located between Asia and the Americas. The Atlantic is between the Americas and Europe/Africa. The Indian is below Asia (around India). The Arctic is the ocean around the North Pole, and the Southern Ocean surrounds Antarctica. It's important to remember oceans versus continents so you don't mix them up. 

The Equator and Hemispheres

The Equator is an imaginary line that goes around the middle of Earth, halfway between the North and South Poles. It divides the Earth into two halves: the Northern Hemisphere (top half) and the Southern Hemisphere (bottom half). The equator is at 0° latitude and is used to measure how far north or south a place is. Areas near the equator are usually warm all year because the sun shines directly there.

Although you can't see the equator on the ground, it's drawn as a bold line on globes and maps to help us understand location. For example, Brazil is south of the equator, and India is north of it.

Another important line is the Prime Meridian, which runs from the North Pole to the South Pole. It's at 0° longitude and passes through Greenwich, England. This line divides Earth into the Western Hemisphere and Eastern Hemisphere. Just like the equator helps measure north and south, the prime meridian helps measure east and west.

Together, these two lines create a starting point for using latitude and longitude to locate places on Earth.

Latitude and Longitude

To find exact places on Earth, we use invisible lines called latitude and longitude. These lines form a grid on globes and maps, like a net that helps locate any spot in the world.

• Latitude lines run side to side (east–west) and are also called parallels. They are measured in degrees north or south of the equator (0°). For example, the North Pole is at 90°N and the South Pole is at 90°S.
  
• Longitude lines run up and down (north–south) from pole to pole. They are called meridians and are measured in degrees east or west of the Prime Meridian (0°), which passes through Greenwich, England.
  

Latitude and longitude are both measured in degrees, not miles or kilometers. These degrees tell us how far a place is from the equator or the Prime Meridian. For example, a city at 40°N, 74°W is 40 degrees north of the equator and 74 degrees west of the Prime Meridian.

Using both lines together gives us a coordinate-a location's address on Earth. To remember:

• Latitude = side to side (like a ladder's rungs)
• Longitude = long lines up and down

This grid system helps mapmakers and travelers find places anywhere on the planet.

Take This Quiz:

Do you have basic idea of Globes and Maps?

Parts of a Map (Map Elements)

Maps have helpful features that make them easier to read and understand. The three main elements to know are:

1. Compass Rose (Direction Indicator):

A compass rose shows directions on a map. It usually has arrows pointing to N, S, E, W (north, south, east, west) and sometimes NE, NW, SE, SW. It helps you figure out which way is which on the map so you don't get lost.

2. Legend (Map Key):

The legend explains what the symbols and colors on a map mean. For example, a tree might show a forest, a wavy line might mean a river, and a star could mark a capital city. It helps you read and understand the map's details.

3. Scale:

The scale tells how distances on the map match real-life distances. It might say "1 inch = 100 miles." That way, you can measure how far apart places are in real life using the map.

Together, the compass rose, legend, and scale make maps easier to use. Check them first when reading any map.

Why Maps Are Useful

Maps help us understand the world in many ways:

• Finding Locations: Maps show where cities, countries, and landmarks are. For example, a map can show you where the Great Wall of China is in the world.
  
• Navigation and Directions: People use maps to plan trips and find their way. Drivers, sailors, pilots, and hikers all use different types of maps to avoid getting lost.
  
• Understanding Geography: Maps show natural features like mountains, rivers, and coastlines. This helps us learn about a region's land, weather, and nearby places.
  
• Comparing Size and Distance: With a map's scale, we can compare how big countries are and how far apart places are from each other.
  

Maps are a powerful tool for exploring, learning, and understanding where things are and how they connect.

Cartographers – Map Makers

The people who design and create maps are called cartographers. The word means "map maker." Long ago, cartographers drew maps by hand, often adding artistic touches like compass roses. Today, they use computers, satellite images, and GPS data to make accurate and updated maps. 

They include details like roads, borders, and landmarks. Cartographers update maps when new places are built or boundaries change. Their work combines geography, art, and technology.

The Earth's Axis

When you look at a globe, you'll see a tilted rod going through it - this represents the Earth's axis. The axis is an imaginary line running from the North Pole to the South Pole. Earth is tilted about 23.5 degrees, which is why globes are slanted on their stands.

Earth spins (rotates) around this axis once every 24 hours, causing day and night. When your part of the Earth faces the Sun, it's daytime; when it turns away, it's night. The tilt of the axis also plays a role in giving us seasons as the Earth orbits the Sun.

In simple terms, the axis is like the spindle Earth spins on. It's not to be confused with latitude (which are lines drawn around the globe) or altitude (which means height above sea level). Understanding the axis helps explain why we have a day-night cycle and seasonal changes.