1.1
Tools (Maps, Globes, GIS) To Analyze Global, Regional, Local Scales
July 9, 2025
Julia Singer
4
Min Read
AI Summary
This lesson focuses on using geographic tools like maps, globes, GIS, and the CIA Factbook to analyze patterns and relationships on local, regional, and global levels. By learning to read various map types—including choropleth and thematic maps—students can interpret data, identify trends, and understand how geography impacts communities and the environment.
Objective
To develop identify and apply geographic tools such as maps, globes, GIS, and CIA factbook to interpret patterns, relationships, and characteristics relevant to local, regional, and global levels.
Core Concept
To understand how countries are affected by their surrounding environments, we first need to learn how to read maps and analyze data through geographic tools.
READING A MAP
Content
Maps can be found in many different forms to provide the reader with different information. For example, a map can be used in a theme park to show you where the biggest rides are, or it can help environmental scientists track which countries have the highest rainfall. Regardless of the purpose, maps provide a wide range of information, and the skill of interpreting one will always be useful.
Read the title. What is the purpose of this map?
Familiarize yourself with the legend, what do the symbols and colors mean?
If there is a scale, make sure to always check it before measuring or guessing distance, things look much closer together on a map!
Determine which way is North with a Compass Rose, if it is present
Use latitude and longitude grid lines to locate specific areas
EXAMPLE – ‘A guide to Cartovia Island’
Try applying these steps to this example map.
“A guide to Cartovia Island”, provides a birds-eye view of Cartovia Island to familiarize tourists.
From the legend, we can identify the city area (Weston) and a means of transport (the railroad)
While this island seems small, in fact with the scale we can calculate that Weston is approximately 400 miles from Riverdale!
Always make sure that North is upwards when interpreting the map, especially if it is providing directions.
With the latitude and longitude, we can determine which quadrant Riverdale lies in. Latitude – 20˚, Longitude 35˚
CHOROPLETH MAPS
Content
Choropleth maps use different colors or shades to compare different countries under a topic. For example: income, population, and rainfall throughout the world can all be portrayed through a choropleth map. They are used when you want to compare data. For example, plotting a choropleth map regarding areas most prone to hurricanes makes it very easy to see patterns and differences allowing prevention of future problems and finding solutions. For now, let’s first focus on correctly interpreting choropleth maps.
Like before, read the title! Make sure you understand what exactly this map is showing.
Identify the legend. A darker color would usually mean a higher value of what is being measured.
Analyze the pattern, if there is one, and for further understanding find the trends, extremes, and anomalies among the data. While this chapter is only about reading the map, it is always a good idea to start thinking about the reasons behind why some areas are darker than others. For example, in a choropleth map measuring the concentration of internet users worldwide, why would Japan have a much higher value than parts in Africa?
Bonus Step: Once you've identified the patterns and their causes, the next step is to understand how they affect people's lives and what impacts they have on communities, as well as the environment.
EXAMPLE – ‘World Temperature Choropleth Map’
Try applying these steps to this example map.
This map compares the average temperatures of countries around the world.
The legend says darker is hotter, so already we can see that Northern regions tend to be cooler.
It seems like areas around the equator are hotter! This could be because of the sun hitting them directly, which makes them absorb more heat, giving them a warmer climate
Bonus Step: As a result of these areas having higher temperatures, they are more prone to droughts and water shortages. On the other hand, Northern countries also could suffer from winter-based hazards.
Key Terms
Legend: The legend is a box on the map that shows what the symbols and colors mean. It helps you understand what each picture or line stands for.
Scale: The scale tells how much smaller the map is compared to the real world. It helps you figure out real distances between places.
Compass Rose: A compass rose is a symbol that shows directions like north, south, east, and west. It helps you know which way things are on the map.
Latitude: Latitude lines go sideways across the map and measure how far north or south something is from the Equator. They help you find a location’s position from top to bottom.
Longitude: Longitude lines run up and down and measure how far east or west something is from the Prime Meridian. They help you find a place’s position from side to side.