Understanding Maps: Latitude, Longitude, Satellite Images

1.Why Does the North Direction Always Lies on Top of the Map?

• European explorers drew the first-ever maps. European countries are situated in the northern hemisphere of the Earth.
• For their convenience, they made maps pointing to the north on the top, as they mostly explored the northern hemisphere.
• Later it was standardized and accepted worldwide.

2.Why Is the Scale So Important for Map Reading?

• A map without a scale is a mere sketch of that area.
• An appropriate scale tells you about the real distance between two locations on the map.
• It also helps to measure the area of a particular place.
• So, a map without the correct scale will not be useful.

3.Satellite Images Are More Reliable Than Human Explorations for Map-Making. Why So?

• A satellite takes pictures of an area from space.
• These images are taken from the top, so they give the correct idea about the size of the buildings, directions of roads, and other things about an area.

4.How to Find Location by Latitude and Longitude?

• Latitudes and longitudes are imaginary horizontal and vertical lines that make a grid around the globe.
• These intersect at a unique point which is not the same for any place.
• Hence, the position of latitudes and longitudes can be used to specify the absolute location of a place on Earth’s surface.

5.A Map Can Go Out of Date. Explain How.

• A map is a symbolic representation of an area at a particular time.
• Old maps show the locations of the prominent features of that time.
• These features may change in the future. For example, a river’s flow can change over a certain period. The political boundaries of a city, state, or country may change.
• Therefore, a map can go out of date.