Using maps, atlases, and globes

Understanding Maps

Maps are flat, two-dimensional representations of specific areas, ranging from small local areas to the entire world.
They show physical features like mountains, rivers, and oceans, as well as human-made features like roads, cities, and political borders.
Scales on maps allow for accurate measurement of distance; learning to read the scale is key for determining distances between places.
Maps typically use a compass rose or North arrow to indicate direction. Understanding cardinal directions (North, South, East, West) and intercardinal directions (North-East, South-East, etc.) is necessary for navigating with maps.

Physical maps highlight the natural landscape features of an area, which can be helpful when planning outdoor activities such as hikes or bird-watching tours.
Political maps focus on human-made divisions such as countries, states, provinces, and cities. These are useful for understanding the administrative and political boundaries of a destination.
Topographic maps show the physical features of an area in detail, including elevation, which is particularly useful for planning mountainous treks or hill walks.
Thematic maps present specific types of information related to a chosen theme, such as population density, climate zones, or tourist attractions.

An atlas is a collection of various maps, usually including both physical and political maps. It often includes detailed information about the places shown.
Atlases typically start with world maps and then narrow down to specific continents, countries, and regions.
Using an atlas can be beneficial to understand a location’s global context - how a destination fits into the wider world, its neighbouring countries, its relative location, etc.

A globe is a spherical representation of Earth, providing a realistic view as it shows the planet without the distortions that occur in maps.
Globes can be useful for grasping the spherical nature of Earth, understanding how longitude and latitude work, and visualising the planet’s physical geography.
The rotation of the globe mimics the Earth’s rotation, which can help us understand time zones and the cycle of day and night in different parts of the world.

These tools allow tourists and tourism professionals to plan journeys and understand the geography and layout of the desired destinations.
They inform us about the distance and travel time between locations, crucial for creating realistic and practical travel plans.
Knowledge of maps, atlases, and globes helps in understanding and appreciating the cultural, historical, and geographical context of different places, enhancing the overall travel experience.
It feeds into a more strategic decision-making process, for example, when choosing between various destinations based on their proximity to other places of interest or checking if the desired location is close to the equator or poles.