COMPETENCY: 5.00 Explain the importance of understanding destinations in the travel, tourism, and recreation industry. OBJECTIVE: 5.01 Demonstrate the use of a map.

Parts of a Map

Parts of a Map

•Legend or key: The list and explanation for the symbols and colors used on a map.

•Equator: The parallel that lies at zero degrees latitude halfway between the North Pole and South Pole.

•Geographic grid: The framework of crossed lines created by lines of latitude and longitude.

Parts of a Map Continued

▫Scale: The relationship between a distance on the map and the corresponding distance on the ground. Mile: 5,280 feet. The unit of distance used

by the United States and a few other countries.

Kilometer: 0.6 of a mile. The unit of distance used by the vast majority of the world.

•Prime Meridian: The reference line at zero degrees longitude.

Parts of a Map Continued

▫Latitude: The distance of a place north or south of the equator. Represented by horizontal lines on a geographic grid. Distance from the equator affects climate.

▫Longitude: The distance of a place east or west of the Prime Meridian (also known as the Greenwich Meridian). Represented by vertical lines on a geographic grid. Longitude affects time.

Types of cartographical aids▫Atlas: A collection of flat maps.▫Globe: A three-dimensional representation of the

spherical earth.▫Locator: A scheme that uses a grid of numbers and

letters rather than degrees of latitude and longitude to pinpoint places on a map. Example: road map

▫Global Positions System (GPS): A worldwide navigation system that uses radio signals broadcast by satellites to pinpoint positions on earth.

▫Online mapping websites: Mapquest.com and Mapblast.com.

Tips for giving travel directions1. Know the area.2. Listen.3. Use the terms right, left, straight ahead. Avoid

using east, west north, or south.4. Use a map to show directions, or draw a sketch

to illustrate directions.5. Mention landmarks.6. Explain distances in terms of miles, blocks, or

kilometers.7. Explain any symbol found on legends of maps.8. Explain the street numbering system.9. If you don’t know, refer the traveler to another

source.10.Be courteous and friendly.