LessonsFinding Your Way
Students can find maps confusing because they contain a lot of information.
You've decided to study abroad at a school in... But where is that exactly? Knowing where you're going is not simply about deciding which school you'll study at. It also involves knowing where you're going. That calls for geograpy. In geography we learn about where a city or a country is located in relation to other places on the earth. Students can get an overview of the geography of North America, for instance, by watching this Discovery Channel video.
The most basic skill you'll need in geography is knowing how to understand, or read, a map. Students can find maps confusing because they contain a lot of information. That information is also presented by mapmakers in ways which may seem strange. But if you want to be able to tell someone where you're going, or know where you are when you get there, it's something you'll just have to learn. Our "North America Political and Physical Maps" should help get you headed in the right direction.
Here is what you can expect to learn after studying these maps.
- Describe an exact location using latitude and longitude.
- Learn about the physical and human characteristics of places.
- See how people create regions to make understanding the world easier.
- Use geography to interpret the past.
Try This!
Complete the worksheet for "North America Political and Physical Maps." Answer the questions. All of the answers should be found on the maps provided. Then, check your answers using the answer key. (To view the lesson materials, you may need to install Acrobat Reader.) For additional map skills practice, try this North America Geography Quiz.