n
o
s
s
e
L
1g the Earth
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i
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We live on Earth’s surface,
and have found ways to
map, measure and study that
surface and the things on it
as accurately as possible.
What features of Earth can
you see in this picture?What
countries can you see? Do
you know what the object in
the picture is called?
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Planet Earth
The Earth turns around the Sun. It is the third planet in the Solar System, and the only one
that is inhabited.
Compared to the
Sun, the Earth is tiny!
Earth
Sun
Earth is not a perfect sphere.
As you can see from these
two measurements, it is
slightly wider at the equator:
Equatorial diameter:
12,756 km
Polar diameter:
12,714 km
North pole
South pole
1. How many planets are between Earth and the Sun?
2. Does Earth have satellites?
3. Do you remember how long it takes Earth to go once around the Sun?
4. Do you remember the names of other celestial bodies?
1. Write: Could we live on Earth if it was closer to the Sun? Or further away? Why?
2. Draw the Earth and label the poles and the Equator.
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Composition of the Earth
The Earth is made up of several materials: solids, liquids and gasses. Scientists classify
them in four different zones or spheres, according to their composition.
ATMOSPHERE
A
A
It’s the layer of gases that surrounds
the Earth (nitrogen, oxygen, carbon
dioxide and water vapour).
C
D
Clouds are made up of water vapour.
HYDROSPHERE
B
B
It’s made up of all the water on Earth.
Saltwater
(oceans)
Freshwater
(rivers, lakes...)
Watch a video about
the spheres of the
Earth!
http://goo.gl/QVmbui
1. What layer of the geosphere do we live in?
2. What do you think could be bad for the drinking water and air
of the Earth? 3. What can we do to preserve them?
4. The Earth is also called The Blue Planet. Why do you think it’s that?
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C
GEOSPHERE
Nucleus or Core
It’s the solid part of Earth. It’s also
known as Lithosphere. It has three
layers, and each layer is made up
of different materials.
Mantle
Crust
D
BIOSPHERE
All living things on Earth (living in
the atmosphere, the hydrosphere
and the geosphere) make up the
biosphere.
Animals, plants, and all living organisms
make up the biosphere.
Culture of peace
Earth is the only inhabited planet because it has perfect conditions for life. It has
drinking water and air, which are the two main factors needed so life can develop.
We must try to preserve it. Earth is the only planet where we can live, we can’t
afford to ruin it!
1. Write a list of six living things and explain in what sphere of the Earth they live in.
2. Draw a forest with plants, animals, rocks and a river or pond. Label the elements and
explain to which sphere they belong.
3. Could we live without any of the four spheres? Explain.
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Parallels and meridians
Parallels and meridians are imaginary lines. We use them so that we can describe the
location of any place on Earth.
PARALLELS
Parallels are imaginary lines parallel to the Equator. They run horizontally.
North Pole: 90º North
Latitude is the distance
(measured in degrees from
0º to 90º) that separates
the other parallels from the
Equator.
The Equator is the
central parallel
that divides Earth
into two halves
(hemispheres).
L atitude can be North
or South, depending on
which hemisphere it is in.
The Northern
hemisphere is
above the Equator.
The Southern
hemisphere is
below the Equator.
South Pole: 90º South
MERIDIANS
Meridians are imaginary lines perpendicular to the Equator. They run vertically.
The central meridian
from which the
others are measured
is called the Prime
Meridian (0º).
West
It crosses through
Greenwich
Observatory, in
London, UK.
East
L ongitude is the distance
(measured in degrees from
0º to 180º) that separate
the other meridians from
the Prime Meridian.
L ongitude can be East or
West, depending on which
side of the Prime Meridian
it is on.
Fact!
1 degree = 111 kilometers
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Do all parallels have the same
length? What about meridians?
Co-ordinates
Parallels and meridians form a grid. Co-ordinates are the points where parallels and
meridians meet. Any location on Earth can be found by its co-ordinate on the grid. Look at
points A and B below.
FROM SPHERE TO FLAT MAP
A
A
In order to be able to see the
whole sphere and all its
co-ordinates at once, we
flatten it into a map like this:
B
B
■ Latitude 40° N
■ Longitude 20° E
(40ºN, 20ºE)
■ Latitude 20° S
■ Longitude 20° W
(20ºS, 20ºW)
North (N)
A
Northern Hemisphere
East (E)
West (W)
B
Southern Hemisphere
South (S)
1. Use the Internet link below and write the
names of the places near these co-ordinates:
a) 51ºN, 0º b) 40.7ºN, 74ºW c) 34ºS, 154.2º E
Find the coordinates of your town!
http://goo.gl/PqFL
What hemisphere is Spain in? Do
either of the main parallels or
meridians cross Spain? Which?
1
See how to calculate the
co-ordinates of a place on
a map!
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Maps
Maps are used to visually represent any area, from the whole planet down to just a town
or a city. There are many different types of maps depending on the kind of information
that we need to show. For example:
PHYSICAL MAPS
TYPES OF MAPS
POLITICAL MAPS
Political maps show man-made
divisions like countries and provinces.
Physical maps show what the surface of
the Earth looks like.
This map shows the mountains, plateaus,
This political map shows the provinces of Spain
rivers and valleys of Spain.
and the countries surrounding it.
Fact!
Globes are three-dimensional maps of
Earth. The first modern globe was created
in 1492 in Germany by an explorer and
scientist called Martin Behaim..
1. What advantages and
inconveniences do globes have?
What about maps?
2. What other kinds of thematic
maps can you think of?
2
Visit the map shop!
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THEMATIC MAPS
Thematic maps show a specific topic connected to a geographic area. The weather,
the economy, the roads... any kind of information can be shown in thematic map.
This thematic map of the Iberian Peninsula shows the
main features each region is famous for.
This road map of Spain shows the largest motorways.
Other road maps of smaller areas show more detail and
smaller roads.
Check out different kinds of maps!
http://goo.gl/Zmb1z7
1. Write: What type of map would you use to represent:
The Ebro River - The elevation of a hill - The capital of Andalusia - The population of Europe
- The streets of Valladolid - The provinces of Catalonia - The weather
2. Find 5 different maps, paste them in your notebook and explain what kind of information they show.
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Reading maps
Maps use scale, legends and compass directions to show the information as simply and
accurately as possible.
SCALE
LEGEND (KEY)
Maps are made to scale. That means that
there is a direct connection between the
length of something on the map and its
corresponding length on the ground.
This can be written in different ways:
Legends (or keys) explain the
symbols or colours on the map.
Symbols are pictures that represent
things in the real world.
THE GRAPHIC METHOD
This method shows scale using a line. For
example, 1 centimetre (cm) on this map
represents 1 kilometre (km) in reality:
0
1 km
A
Legends usually show a small picture of each
symbol used on the map, with a written
description beside it.
B
ORIENTATION
On this map, the distance between house A and house B is 2 km.
THE NUMERIC METHOD
1:100,000
1 unit of length on the map represents
100,000 units of length in the real world.
Maps show the cardinal directions:
North, South, East and West, to help
us know the orientation of our map
in reality.
Both sides must be written in the same units: in
this case, in centimetres (100,000 cm equals 1 km).
1. Which do you think are
easier to read, graphic or
numeric scales?
2. Look at the road map
on the previous page.
What type of scale does
twelve
it12have?
1. Write: If we have a
map with this scale:
1:5,000, how many
metres equal 1 cm on
the map?
Most maps have a compass rose
to show the cardinal directions.
Compasses tell us where
the North is. They were
invented in China 1,200
years ago.
Fact!
Plans and sketches
Maps are normally used for larger areas, but for smaller areas or for things that don’t
need a lot of accuracy there are other ways of making maps:
Floor plans are graphic representations of buildings and
the things inside them, like rooms and cupboards.
Actual house
FLOOR PLANS
Floor plan
SKETCH MAPS
It is not always necessary to have a map with exact
measurements. In this case, we can draw a sketch map drawn from observation
or description and showing just the main features in an area.
For example, you can draw a sketch map
to help someone find the way to your
...or to show them how your room
is set up...
...or to tell them about the
main features of Spain’s landscape.
house...
1. What elements can you recognise in the floor plan above? How big
do you think they are?
2. Why are sketches useful? Can you think of a situation in real life
where you need one?
3
Listen to the instructions
and draw a sketch map
of Kate’s flat!
1. Draw a sketch map of your way to school.
2. Draw a sketch map of your room.
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Technology and maps
People have learned to describe and map their environment using whatever
technology was available at the time. This ability has always been very important, since
it provides information that can be easily communicated to other people by drawing
and reading maps and graphs.
OLD vs NEW MAPS
Old maps were not very accurate
because people did not have many
instruments to make calculations
back then. This map dates back to
the year 1572.
This is a modern map drawn from
aerial photographs, so it shows the
shape of the terrain as it really is.
1. Compare the two maps above. What areas look different? Why do
you think that is?
2. Have you ever used any website with satellite maps? What did
you use it for?
3. Look at the two pictures of Badajoz. Do you recognise in the map
what’s in the photography?
4. What information in this lesson did you find more useful? How do
you think you could apply it in your daily life?
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SATELLITE MAPS
Planes and some man-made
satellites take aerial pictures of
the Earth. Maps created this way
are very accurate. Lots of these
maps are available online for all
people to use.
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Satellite photo of Badajoz (Google Maps ®)
Learn more about
online maps!
Man-made satellite
GPS systems are devices that send signals to a satellite.
The signal bounces back to the GPS device so it knows
where we are and finds our way around. This is called
navigation.
Map of Badajoz (Google Maps ®)
Fact!
Most smartphones come with a built-in
GPS and maps.
1. Imagine that your a travel agent and need to organise a holiday for your friend. Look for
information, choose a location in Spain and draw maps to get there from your place.
Explain why you have chosen that place as a holiday destination.
2. Go online and find an internet map of your town. Locate the place where you live and
your school.
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