Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Exercises
1.
Use PLS Coordinates
On a topographic map of the place you're from or one you're familiar with in the
United States, determine the location of your home, school, and other important
local feature using the Public Land Survey coordinates. Townships should be given
on the east and west edges of the map, ranges on the north and south.
2.
EXTENDED EXERCISE: Locational and Coordinate Systems
Overview
In this exercise you will interpret the impact of land subdivision systems and learn
how to read coordinates from United States Geological Survey (USGS) topographic
maps. This exercise also introduces you to basic topographic mapping concepts
and how to recognize them.
Concepts
Topographic maps are the most general-purpose maps in circulation. They repre-
sent a multitude of features and relationships that you can “read” by looking at and
studying a map. Among other things, they are useful for studying general land use
development.
Exercise Steps and Questions
In this step you should use an index of topographic quads for a state in the United
States to find a map of your home or a place you are familiar with. The feature you
look for can also be a particular place, mountaintop, radio antenna, or structure—for
example, a lighthouse. It should be small enough to be located distinctly: a small
building or pond is OK, but not a large lake or structure. Most of all it, it should be
someplace you are familiar with . If you can't find the 7.5 quad you need, first check
to see if an older quad is available for the area. If not, choose a feature somewhere
else.
Answer these questions before continuing:
1. What is the name of the place you chose?
2. What is the type of feature?
3. Why did you choose it?
4. What is the latitude and longitude of the southeast corner of the map?
5. What is the distance, in kilometers and miles, from east to west across
the map?
Kilometers
Miles
 
Search WWH ::




Custom Search