Maps are visual representations of where things are in the real world. Atlas’ show large areas such as world maps, continents and countries whereas ordnance survey maps show smaller areas in more detail. 

Atlas Maps

Atlas maps show the location of places and features on a global or national (country) scale. Some of these maps show physical features such as the relief (shape of the land) and rivers and others show human features such as towns and cities. Choropleth maps are often found in atlases. These are maps that are used to show locational data such as average temperatures and rainfall through colour shading. 

Physical Maps

Physical maps show natural features in an area such as highland and lowland areas, rivers, seas and oceans, mountains and volcanoes. Ecosystem maps are the often contained in an atlas. These maps show major biomes such as tropical rainforests and deserts.

Some atlas maps show physical features that are experienced rather than seen. An example of this would be a map showing average temperatures for a country. 

Human and Political Maps 

Political maps show countries and major cities. Human maps show a range of data linked to human patterns and processes. For example, they can be used to show population density, migration patterns and transport routes.

Some maps show human features that are experienced rather than seen. Examples of this are:

• life expectancy
• birth rates and death rates
• the standard of living
• or even measures of happiness

Not only is is useful to identify and understand what a map shows but also be able to describe and in some cases explain the patterns.

Directions

Maps often have an arrow indicating which way is north. If this is not on a map then you can assume the top of the map is north. Being able to use compass directions is necessary for navigating maps along with describing and explaining patterns. You can find out more about compass directions here.

Longitude and Lattitude

Longitude and latitude are used to locate places on atlas maps. Lines of longitude and latitude are measured using degrees of a circle as the Earth is a sphere.  Lines of latitude run from east to west. The Equator is a line of latitude that lies at 0°.

Lines above the equator are shown as °N (north) and lines below are shown as °S (south). The image below shows how the line of latitude 30°N has been established. It is an imaginary line that circles the globe 360° from east to west.

Lines of longitude run from north to south. The Prime or Greenwich Meridian in London is a line of longitude at 0°.

Lines to the right of this are shown as °E (east) and lines to the left of this are shown as °W (west).

When using latitude and longitude to locate places latitude is shown first and longitude is shown second, eg Manchester in the UK is at 53.5°N, 2.2°W.