Using the Map Key
Visit Maps Skills: Color, Tints and Patterns Part I and Part II to learn how colors and symbols are used on a map. Using the information provided on the map key, write a brief summary of each map shown, describing the region as illustrated by the map.

Using the Compass Rose
Visit Direction Menu to learn about the cardinal directions, as well as how to use a map's compass rose. Follow the five links provided to explore how directions are used in map reading. For additional information, visit How to Read a Compass and Cardinal Directions.

Using the Map Scale
Visit Map Skills: Scale to learn more about the concept of scale and how it is used to read maps. Then, visit Distance Menu and select Scale Introduction and Using Scale to sharpen your map skills regarding distance and scale. Select Link to Additional Activities at the bottom of the Using Scale page for more practice.

Comparing Maps of Different Scale
Visit the Infoplease Atlas and review the map of the United States and your state in particular. Select your state and review the map of your state. Then, print the map of the entire United States and the map of your state. Using the information provided on the map key and scale, compare the two maps and explore the similarities and differences between them.

Understanding Hemispheres
Visit Describing the World: Hemispheres to learn more about this imaginary division of the globe. Read about hemispheres and then do one or more of the activities provided to try your hand at exploring how and why maps are divided into these regions.

Understanding and Using Latitude and Longitude
Visit Latitude and Longitude Menu to learn more about these imaginary but important lines that encircle the globe. Follow the four links provided to find out how longitude and latitude work, then take the quiz to see how well you can work with the longitude and latitude grid. For additional information, visit Map Skills: Degrees, Latitude, and Longitude.

Understanding Projection
Visit Map Skills: Distortion and Projections to learn more about the difficulties of distortion when making a flat map of the globe. Then, visit Mercator Projection, Goode's Homolosine Projection, and Robinson Projection to view some of the solutions that map makers have found to create the most accurate maps.

Great Circles and Straight Lines
Visit Map Skills: Great Circles to explore the concept of great circles as they relate to the globe.

Reading a Political Map
Visit Map Skills: Physical and Political Maps to learn more about how to read these specific types of maps. Then, select Reference Atlas to view political and physical maps of every region around the globe.

Four Types of Landforms
Visit WorldAtlas.com to learn more about how landforms are indicated on a globe or map. Select one of the continents from the globe at the top of the page and then select a country from the menu on the left. Next, select Landforms on the country page and view various maps illustrating landforms throughout a region. Be sure to read the short descriptions of each specific landform, from mountain to plateau and desert to jungle.

Reading a Time Zone Map
Visit Map Skills: Time Zones and the International Date Line to learn more about the time zones of the world and how to read a time zone map. Then, go to the Global Times Zones: Country by Country provided by the Greenwich Mean Time Web site and follow the links provided to learn about time in various nations and regions around the globe.

Reading a Historical Map
Visit Map Skills: Historical Maps to learn more about reading a historical map.

Reading a Contour Map
Visit Contour Maps to learn more about the lines and symbols used on a map to illustrate the geography of an area. Follow the five links provided, then take the contour map quiz to check how well you work with contour maps. For additional information, visit Map Skills: Topo and Contour Maps to learn more about the symbols used in the creation of topographic and contour maps. Also, visit Reading Topographic Maps from the United States Geological Survey to learn how to read these types of maps. Follow the links on the left to view the symbols used and learn how to interpret their meaning.

MORE MAPPING FUN

USGS Map Wizard
Try your skill at creating various types of maps using the activities on this United States Geological Survey site.

Online Map Games
Test your geography and map skills by taking the quizzes and completing the activities provided by Maps.com.

Social Studies for Kids: Are You Map-Savvy?
Learn the importance of being able to read and use a map.