Topographic maps use contour lines to represent elevation (height above sea level). Each contour line connects points of equal elevation. The closer the contour lines are together, the steeper the slope. A contour interval is the vertical distance between adjacent contour lines. What does a steep slope look like on a topographic map?

Map scale is the ratio between a distance on the map and the corresponding distance on the ground. A representative fraction (e.g., 1:24,000) means that 1 unit on the map equals 24,000 units on the ground. A large-scale map shows a small area in great detail (e.g., 1:10,000). A small-scale map shows a large area with less detail (e.g., 1:1,000,000). Which type of map would you use to show a city neighborhood?

Map projections are methods of representing the curved surface of the Earth on a flat map. All projections introduce some distortion (area, shape, distance, or direction). The Mercator projection preserves direction (good for navigation) but greatly distorts area at high latitudes (Greenland appears larger than Africa). The Robinson projection balances distortions. Which projection is commonly used for world maps in classrooms?

The Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) system divides the Earth into 60 zones, each 6° of longitude wide. It uses meters as units. The Military Grid Reference System (MGRS) is based on UTM. UTM coordinates are given as easting (distance east within the zone) and northing (distance north from the Equator). What system is used by GPS devices (WGS84)?

Thematic maps show spatial patterns of specific data (population density, climate, elections). A choropleth map uses shading or colors to represent data. An isoline map uses lines to connect points of equal value (e.g., contour lines on a topographic map). A weather map showing temperature with lines connecting points of equal temperature uses what type of map?

To orient a map, you align the map's north with the actual north (magnetic north or true north). A compass points to magnetic north, which differs from true north by magnetic declination. The difference between true north and magnetic north is called magnetic declination. Declination varies by location and changes over time. What is magnetic declination?

GPS (Global Positioning System) uses satellites to determine precise location on Earth. GIS (Geographic Information Systems) is software used to analyze and visualize spatial data. How many satellites are in the GPS constellation?

A bearing is the direction from one point to another, measured in degrees clockwise from north. True north is 0° (or 360°). East is 90°, south is 180°, west is 270°. What is the bearing of east?

Triangulation is a method of determining your position by measuring the bearing to two or more known landmarks and using geometry to calculate your location. This technique was used in surveying before GPS. How many landmarks are needed for triangulation?

Terrain association is the skill of matching features on a map to features on the ground (hills, valleys, ridges, streams, roads). It is essential for land navigation without GPS. A "saddle" (or col) is the low point between two hills. A "ridge" is an elongated high point. A "valley" is a low area between hills with water flow. What is a ridge on a topographic map?

Latitude is the angular distance north or south of the Equator, measured in degrees. Lines of latitude (parallels) run east-west around the globe. The Equator is at 0° latitude. The North Pole is at 90°N, the South Pole at 90°S. What is the latitude of the Equator?

Longitude is the angular distance east or west of the Prime Meridian, measured in degrees. Lines of longitude (meridians) run north-south and converge at the poles. The Prime Meridian (0° longitude) passes through Greenwich, London, England. The International Date Line is at 180° longitude. What is the longitude of the Prime Meridian?

The Equator is the line of latitude at 0°. It is the longest line of latitude (about 24,901 miles / 40,075 kilometers). The Equator divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Countries that lie on the Equator include Ecuador (named after the Equator), Colombia, Brazil, Kenya, Somalia, Indonesia, and others. Which ocean does the Equator NOT pass through?

The Tropic of Cancer is at 23.5°N latitude. The Tropic of Capricorn is at 23.5°S latitude. These lines mark the northernmost and southernmost points where the sun can be directly overhead. The area between these two lines is called the tropics. The sun is directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer on the June solstice (about June 21). Which line of latitude is at 23.5°N?

The Prime Meridian (0° longitude) passes through Greenwich, London, England. It is the reference point for time zones (Greenwich Mean Time, GMT). The Royal Observatory in Greenwich marks the location of the Prime Meridian. Visitors can stand with one foot in the Eastern Hemisphere and one foot in the Western Hemisphere. Which city is the Prime Meridian located in?

The International Date Line (IDL) is an imaginary line at approximately 180° longitude. When you cross the IDL going west, you add a day; crossing east, you subtract a day. The IDL is not a straight line; it deviates to avoid splitting countries and island groups. What happens when you cross the International Date Line going west?

The Arctic Circle is at 66.5°N latitude. The Antarctic Circle is at 66.5°S latitude. Within these circles, there is at least one day of 24-hour daylight (midnight sun) and one day of 24-hour darkness (polar night). Which country has land within the Arctic Circle?

Coordinates are given as (latitude, longitude). Latitude is always given first. Example: The coordinates of the Statue of Liberty are approximately 40.7°N, 74.0°W. Which continent is located at 30°N, 30°E? (Hint: 30°N is about the latitude of Egypt; 30°E is about the longitude of Egypt.)

Time zones are based on longitude. The Earth rotates 360° in 24 hours, so each 15° of longitude corresponds to 1 hour of time difference. There are 24 time zones (one for each hour). Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) is the reference. Eastern Standard Time (EST) is UTC-5 (5 hours behind GMT). How many degrees of longitude correspond to 1 hour of time difference?

The Equator divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The Prime Meridian and the International Date Line divide the Earth into the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. The United States is located in which hemispheres?