Maps and Data
Learn
Maps and data help us understand communities around the world. A map is a drawing that shows where places are. Data is information we collect, like numbers and facts about communities.
Parts of a Map
Every map has important parts that help us read it:
- Title: Tells us what the map shows
- Key (or Legend): Explains what symbols on the map mean
- Compass Rose: Shows directions (North, South, East, West)
- Scale: Helps us understand distances
Types of Maps
Different maps show different information about communities:
- Political Maps: Show countries, states, and cities
- Physical Maps: Show mountains, rivers, and landforms
- Road Maps: Show streets and highways
- Community Maps: Show schools, parks, and important places
Using Data About Communities
Data tells us facts about communities. We can learn:
- How many people live in a community (population)
- What languages people speak
- What the weather is like
- What jobs people have
Reading Simple Charts
Charts organize data so it is easy to understand. A bar chart uses bars to show amounts. A picture chart uses pictures to show information.
Examples
Example 1: Reading a Map Key
A community map has these symbols in the key:
- Blue square = School
- Green circle = Park
- Red triangle = Fire station
If you see a blue square on the map near Oak Street, that means there is a school near Oak Street.
Example 2: Using the Compass Rose
Question: The library is north of the school. Which direction do you go from the school to reach the library?
Answer: You go north. On most maps, north is at the top. So you would go up on the map from the school to find the library.
Example 3: Reading a Simple Chart
This chart shows how many students live in different types of communities:
| Community Type | Number of Students |
|---|---|
| Urban (city) | 12 |
| Suburban (near city) | 8 |
| Rural (country) | 5 |
Question: Which type of community has the most students?
Answer: Urban (city) has the most students because 12 is the biggest number.
Practice
Answer these questions to practice reading maps and data.
1. What is a map?
Think about what a map shows us.
2. Name the four parts of a map.
Title, Key, Compass Rose, and...
3. What does a map key (or legend) tell us?
Think about the symbols on a map.
4. On a compass rose, which direction is usually at the top?
Think about the word "up north."
5. A map key shows a star means "capital city." You see a star over a city called Springfield. What does this tell you?
Use the key to understand the symbol.
6. What type of map would you use to find rivers and mountains?
Physical or political?
7. Look at this data: Town A has 500 people. Town B has 2,000 people. Town C has 800 people. Which town has the most people?
Compare the numbers.
8. Why is data about communities helpful?
What can we learn from data?
9. A chart shows that Community X has 3 schools and Community Y has 7 schools. What might this tell us about the size of each community?
Bigger communities usually need more schools.
10. The post office is east of the park. If you are at the park, which direction do you walk to reach the post office?
East is to the right on most maps.
11. What is the difference between a political map and a physical map?
What does each type show?
12. A picture chart uses 1 apple picture to mean 10 apples. If a farm has 5 apple pictures, how many apples does the farm have?
Multiply the pictures by what each picture means.
Check Your Understanding
Answer these questions to see what you have learned.
Question 1: What does a compass rose on a map show?
Question 2: A bar chart shows City A with a bar reaching 50, City B with a bar reaching 30, and City C with a bar reaching 40. Which city has the smallest number?
Question 3: Which part of the map tells you what the symbols mean?
Next Steps
- Find a map of your community and identify all four parts
- Practice giving directions using north, south, east, and west
- Look for charts in books or online and practice reading them
- Continue to the next lesson: Claim and Evidence Writing