World Map Project:
Our planet Earth is constantly changing-some areas are being created by volcanic action and rifts in the earth, while other areas are being destroyed by earthquakes and subduction. During this school year, we will discuss many different events, which occur throughout various regions of the world. The purpose of this activity is to orient yourself with locations on Earth. You will accurately draw latitude and longitude lines on a map of the world, label different land and water masses, and use your map to find any given set of coordinates. The map in this activity is a representation of Earth in its present form.
MATERIALS/PROCEDURE:
World Map Template, pencil/pen, yellow/pink highlighter, Ruler, and Internet.
Follow the sequence of the procedure. Do not skip a stop before starting another:
- Write your name (First and Last) and period on the back (the side without the map) of your map paper.
- Create a key on the bottom of your front page. Basically copy what is listed in the picture below. Include all the seas, landmarks, and landmasses with their corresponding numbers.
- Research where each of the five major oceans are located. Write their NAMES (e.g. Pacific Ocean) on the map. Using a colored pencil (Not pen), lightly shade in the oceans.
- Research where each of the continents are located. Write their NAMES (e.g. North American) on the map. Using a colored pencil (Not Pen) lightly shade in the continents a green or brown color.
- Identify where each SEA and LANDMARK/LANDMASSES listed in the key are located on the map labeling with their corresponding NUMBER, not their name (there’s not enough room) using ink/pen.
- Draw the EQUATOR line, it passes through the mouth of the Amazon River and goes through the middle of the island of Borneo in Indonesia. Go online to help you determine where the equator is located. Don’t guess! THE LINE LOCATED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MAP MAY NOT BE THE EQUATOR. Highlight the equator with a yellow highlighter.
- Label each 10° increment latitude line both north and south of the equator. Always write N (for north) and S (for South) after the number (e.g. 20°N) indicating if the latitude line is located above or below the equator.
- Draw the PRIME MERIDIAN (O° longitude). The Prime meridian runs through the Royal Naval Observatory in Greenwich, England, and cuts off the ear of Africa. Go online to help you determine where the prime meridian is located. Once again, DON'T GUESS. Highlight the Prime Meridian with a yellow highlighter.
- Label each 10° increment longitude line both west and east of the prime meridian. Always write west or east after the number (e.g. 20°W) indicating if the longitude line is on the right or left of the prime meridian.
- Locate and draw the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn using dashed lines with a pink highlighter. Look online to determine where they fall!
- Test the accuracy of your map by asking a friend to tell you the LATITUDE (North or South) AND LONGITUDE (West or East) for one of the oceans/seas or landmasses labeled on your map. You should both have the same answers!