• A map is a flat drawing of a place or part of the world.
   

• A map looks as if it were drawn from the view of someone sitting in an airplane.

How do maps help us?

• Maps help us find our way from one place to another.
   
• A map shows where things or places are located.
   
• Maps can be used to show how far one place is from another.
   

What are some parts of a map?

• A compass rose tells the directions (which way) on a map.
     * North is at the top of a map.
      * South is at the bottom of a map.
      * West is on the left side of a map.
      * East is on the right side of a map.

                      HINT
To remember the directions, start at the top and move clockwise, thinking of it like this...
      Never       Eat       Soggy       Wheat!
         o           a        o           e
         r            s        u           s
      t          t      t         t
      h                     h       

• The map legend shows the symbols on a map and gives their meaning.
   
• The map legend is often called the key.

      
     Legend
      ~~~~road
         city
      lake
      VVVVV mountain
      airport
       -I-I-I-I- railroad
        school
 

Take a look at this map.
Let's use the map legend (key)
to answer some questions.

If you want to print the map and the legend,
click here.

Click on the arrow to read along with me.
 
Let's work through these together.

1. Is the school north or south of the airport?
To answer this question, put one finger on the school ( ) and another finger on the airport ().

Now look at the compass rose.

The school is above the airport, therefore it is north of the airport.
 

Click on the arrow to read along with me.

) and another finger on the airport ().

Between the two you see this symbol: ~~~~~~~~~.

Look at the map legend (key).

This ~~~~~~~~~ is the symbol for a road.

You would get there in a car, bus, or some other vehicle.
 

Click on the arrow to read along with me.
 

To answer this question put one finger on the school () and another finger on the mountains (

Between the two you see this symbol: -I-l-l-I-l-l-l-I.

Look at the map legend (key).

This -I-l-l-I-l-l-l-I is a symbol for the railroad.

You would get there by train.
 

Click on the arrow to read along with me.

To answer this question put one finger on the city () and another finger on the airport ().

Now look at the compass rose.

The city is to the left of the airport, therefore it is west of the airport.
 

Are you ready to practice?
Click on the compass rose.