Mapping the earth
Earth map
A map is a drawing on a flat surface. It shows a part or all the earth’s surface. A map can be made on paper, on a board or on a wall. We can make maps of schools, villages, towns, states, countries and of the world.
Maps cannot be as accurate as a globe. They cannot show the earth exactly as it is. This is because the earth is a sphere like an orange. So it is not possible to make an accurate map of the surface of the earth on a flat surface.
Maps, however, show things in greater detail. You can draw maps of you school compound or your city and show everything in detail on it. This will not be possible to show on the globe.
Direction
East and west, north and south are the four major directions. We also use words like `left’ and `right’ to show direction. All maps follow the same way of showing direction.
Look at an mp India. The side opposite to and farthest from you is the North. This is the top of the map. Directly opposite the North is the south. It is at the bottom of the map. To your right is the east and in the opposite direction, to your left, is the West. Now check out these directions. Kashmir lies to the North while Kanyakumari is directly opposite, in the south. In the east you see Nagaland and in the West Rajasthan.
Besides the major directions there are four sub-directions. Between north and west lies north- west, and similarly south-west, south-east and north-east. Find out places lying in these directions, on the map.
Maps
Different kinds of maps give different kinds of information.
a) Physical maps show the physical features f a place, like rivers, mountains, plains, etc.
b) Political maps show political boundaries between countries, states, etc.
c) Climatic maps show the climatic conditions of place in the month or in a year.
d) Vegetation maps show areas where different kinds of vegetation are found.
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