Maps and the Internet:

Exercises in Using Online Maps

Introduction - Online Map Resources:

Maps in Acrobat PDF format
Maps used in Dr. Peterson's World Regional Course

Perry Casteneda Map Library
Public-domain maps, mostly from the US Government.

CIA Maps
In both JPEG and PDF format. PDF maps print better.

Weather Map Display System
Site has links to many weather maps. Describes book that explains how to create an automated weather map display system.

Finding maps:

Online Map Database
Mr. Oddens, a map librarian in the Netherlands, keeps track of maps available through the Internet. You can search his online database.

www.google.com - Web and Image tabs

Exercise #1: Mapping where you live

Purpose: Show how to make a map that is centered at an address. Check map for errors.

Explanation: Online street mapping sites create a map based on the address given by the user. Resultant map can then be zoomed-in or out. Notice how the map changes at different zoom levels. Different features are included on each map. Each map is a reflection of the world presented at a certain scale.

These are screen-shots. Buttons are not active.

Enter Address:	Resultant Map:

Questions:

1) Is the symbol that indicates the address located in the correct position?

2) Is the map correct? Does it include all of the streets?

3) Are the streets labeled correctly?

Now go to the mapping site by clicking here: www.mapquest.com

Exercise #2: Finding Latitude and Longitude

Purpose: Understand the latitude and longitude system. Find latitude and longitude coordinates for a residence.

Explanation: What is latitude and longitude?

	Longitude lines are made by circles that intersect with both the North and the South Poles. Each longitude can be thought of as dividing the Earth in half. Longitudes are measured in half circles of 0° to 180° East and from 0° to 180° West. 0° longitude corresponds with the Royal Greenwich Observatory in Greenwich, England.
	Like the rungs of a ladder, latitude lines run parallel to each other from the equator to the poles. It is measured from the equator of the Earth (0°) to the North Pole (90° North) or to the South Pole (90° South). Lines of latitude grow progressively smaller as they get closer to the poles. 90° North and 90° South are points that have no distance.

Four quadrants of the coordinate system:

North America will be north latitudes and west longitudes.

Equator with lines of longitude.

Questions:

1) What is the latitude and longitude of your residence? Express with both negative and positve numbers and as north, south, east, west.

 

Now go to the mapping site by clicking here: Silicon Mapping. Click on map of the US to recenter. Choose "City" then "Street" to zoom-in. Latitude and longitude of the center of the map appears below the map.

This is a screen-shot. Buttons are not active.

Exercise #3: Map of Current Sunshine

Purpose: Understand how seasons influence the areas receiving sunshine on the earth.

Explanation: A sunshine map shows the areas of the earth that are currently receiving sunlight. Notice how cities in the dark areas of the earth are indicated on the map with light dots.

A sunlight map of the world at 12 noon on Oct. 16.

Available options to alter the view of the map. The date of the map can be changed by clicking on the UTC button and entering a new date and time.

This is a screen-shot. Buttons are not active.

What is UTC?

Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) is the international time standard. It is the current term for what was commonly referred to as Greenwich Meridian Time (GMT). Zero (0) hours UTC is midnight in Greenwich England, which lies at 0° latitude. Universal time is based on a 24 hour clock, therefore, afternoon hours such as 4 pm UTC are expressed as 16:00 UTC (sixteen hours, zero minutes).

Questions:

1) Create a map for June 21 (summer solstice) and Dec. 21 (winter solstice). Does any part of Antarctica receive light at noon UTC on June 21st?

2) Does any part of Greenland receive light at noon UTC on Dec. 21st?

Go to the sunshine mapping site by clicking here: EarthView mapping site

Exercise #4: Map of Current Temperature

Purpose: Understand how temperatures are mapped by isotherms (lines of constant temperature).

Explanation: A temperature map shows areas of equal temperature.

This is a map of current temperatures.

Questions:

1) What is the current temperature at your location (within 5 degrees)?

2) Compare the temperature between the middle of the US and the coasts (both east and west). Which is warmer? Why?

Exercise #5: Current Precipitation

Purpose: Understand how to interpret NEXRAD imagery.

Explanation: This map includes information on fronts overlayed on a NEXRAD image. NEXRAD is a ground-based radar system that senses precipitation in the atmosphere. The readings from a series of these ground-based radar stations are put together to form this overall image. Information on fronts, highs and lows, is then added.

Questions:

1) Name a state that is currently receiving precipitation?

2) Given the movement of weather systems from west to east across North America, name a state that will soon receive precipitation?

3) Is the precipitation associated with a Low or High pressure system?

Other radar weather maps: Upper Midwest | Local Doppler | Omaha Doppler

Exercise #6: US Population Density

Purpose: Find a map of Yearly Precipitation in the US and compare it to this map of US Population Density.

Find a map of Yearly Precipitation:

1) Open a new window with your web browser (File, New Page)

2) Go to www.google.com

3) Type "US Yearly Precipitation map" into this search engine.

4) Click on the link with "Average yearly precipitation in the United States"

 

Questions:

1) What parts of the US have the highest population density?

2) What parts of the US have the highest precipitation?

3) Is there an association between the 20 inch rainfall line and a decrease in population density in the central part of the US? Why do you think there is an association between the two?

Other Map Resources:

HRW World Atlas
An interactive atlas. Do you know what countries make up Oceania?

National Geographic Map Machine
This site has physical and political maps, star charts, satellite imagery and maps that are suited for printing.

Color Landform Atlas of the United States
This site features a color atlas for each state and more. Check out a landform of your state!

National Atlas of the United States
This site provides atlas maps and easy to use map-like views of our natural and socio-cultural landscapes.

U.S. Census Bureau Digital Map Database.
The TIGER Map Service provides a coast-to-coast digital map database.

MCCIS World Atlas
Atlas of the world by continent.

American History Maps and Charts
Links to maps on American history.