Map elements by: Arieh Leon Dales

Map Elements

The elements on a map are Latitude, Longitude, the Hemispheres, Directions, Time Zone, Scale and the Map Legend. Latitude lines are imaginary lines on a map that goes east to west and Vic versa. Longitude lines are imaginary line on a map that goes north to south and Vic versa. Earth is divided up by these two types of lines. Latitude and Longitude are measured in Degrees. The middle latitude line is called the Equator the middle longitude line is called the Prime Meridian. The Equator is 0 degree latitude and the Prime Meridian is 0 degree longitude.

Hemisphere means, half a sphere (hemi=half sphere=3D ball). By using the Equator and the Prime Meridian you can split the world into 4 Hemispheres. The Hemispheres are North, East, West and South. These directions are known as the Cardinal Directions. There are also Intermediate Directions which are, Northeast, Northwest, Southeast and Southwest. The way you know where each direction is, is by using a Compass Rose. A Compass Rose on a map points to each direction. By using a Compass Rose and a Scale you can find out if you go 2 inches South how long that is in Miles, Kilometers and sometimes Feet or Yards. The only way to do this is by using your Scale on a map and a ruler. The Scale shows you how many Kilometers you go in measurements as little as an inch.