2. Maps and Globes 

Imagine if you could hold the whole world in your hands or fit it in your pocket! Well, you actually can with a globe or a map. These tools are like windows into our planet, showing us where we live, where oceans stretch endlessly, and how mountains rise high across continents. They help explorers find their way, scientists study the Earth, and even you plan your next adventure!

The fact that the earth was round and not flat came to light in the 3rd century B.C. After this discovery, people created a small, round 3D model of the Earth, called a globe.6

A globe can be defined as a three-dimensional spherical model of the earth. It is fixed on an axle that permits rotation.1 

Fig 2.1: Globe

A map is a picture of the Earth or a small part of it. It can show things like rivers, mountains, roads, and cities. Some maps also show features we cannot see, such as borders between countries or the weather patterns in an area. Most maps are created on a flat surface.4 

Vid 2.1: Maps and directions3

Fig 2.3: Features of a Map

1. Title

Every map has a title that tells you what the map shows. For example, a map might show forests, cities, or country borders.5

2. Directions

A compass rose is drawn on the map to show the directions. The compass rose shows four major cardinal directions - North, South, East and West. Some maps are drawn with only the North direction at the top of the page, shown with an arrow labeled ‘N’. We can find other major directions with the help of the compass.5

3. Scale

It is not possible to draw the actual size of a country or places on a piece of paper. A scale on a map shows how far places are in real life. It uses small distances on paper to represent large distances on land. For example, 1 inch on a map might mean 10 miles on
land. 5

a. How to use a scale

Step 1: Refer to the scale provided on the map. In this case, 1 centimeter represents 100 metres.

Step 2: Calculate the real-world distance. Multiply the measured distance on the map by the scale factor. In this example, we have 3 centimetres on the map, so the calculation would be:

Step 3: 3 centimetres x 100 metres  = 300 metres

Step 4: Therefore, the real-world distance between the school and the park is 300 metres. 

4. Legends or Key

The legend or the key is an important element for reading a map. It explains all the colours and symbols used in the map. Its purpose is to figure out the exact spot on the map. Without the legend, the colours and symbols on the map would make no sense to the viewer5.

Look at the map. Different symbols are used to show houses, trees, lake, temple and school. Alongside the map we can see a list that explains different symbols used on a map. This list is called legend or key5. 

Fig 2.4: Legends or Key of maps

Read the following map and complete the Google Form. 

A long time ago, people used the stars and simple drawings to find their way. Later, they started making maps on paper. Today, we use digital maps on phones and computers. 

1. It helps us learn about different places in the world outside our country.8

2. Globe represents the shape, size and distance between the continents and countries.8

3. By rotating a globe one can understand how earth rotates on its own axis.8

4. Maps and globes serve as tools for planning trips, learning about distant places, and studying the movement of people, goods, and information.8

5. Maps help us understand how the continents, oceans and countries are divided on the Earth's surface.8