This could be the hardest thing you have ever done in social
studies. Yet it doesn't require hours of reading or copious amounts
of memorizing.
You will become cartographers. Cartography is part of geography;
a cartographer is a mapmaker. Cartography is very mathematical;
using measurement, calculations, geometry and spatial relations.
Cartographers are also artistic; using design techniques to make
maps that are pleasing to the eye.
Ancient cartographers stood on mountain tops and sailed around
the oceans with sketch pads and measuring devices. Modern cartographers
use satellite images to map the Earth and other planets. Cartographers
make small area maps of backyards, large area maps of the universe,
plus maps of states, countries, the ocean floor, cities, towns,
mountains ....etc.
IT'S FUN!!
The Process:
1. You will draw a free hand map of a large section
of Latin America. The grid lines you draw will be real
lines of longitude and latitude.
·Use a pencil and make your first marks light. Use an erasure
only when absolutely necessary.
·Measure precisely and TAKE YOUR TIME!!
2. Draw all of the borders and coastlines, then fill in the names of all the countries and their capitals. Use an atlas and other pertinent resources.
3. Draw and label the following on your map:
-Panama Canal
-Rio Orinoco -Galapagos Islands
-Rio Grande -Eastern (Oriental) and Western(Occidental) Sierra
Madre
-Oceans -Latitude and Longitude Lines
-Seas -Andes Mountains
-Other places will be added as we move forward
4. Make an artistic map key
5. Make a distance scale
6. Draw an artistic compass rose
7. Carefully shade in the colors for a physical map
8. Pat yourself on the back, and thank all those who helped you!