| A World Grid
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| The map included with this activity shows a world map with points of
interest and cities. If you are not familiar with a world map, it would
be difficult to find a particular place. The addition of a location
finding system makes it easier to find specific places.
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| This location finding system is called a map grid. A world map grid
is a series of lines that cross each other to form boxes. Sometimes the
lines are straight and sometimes the lines are curved.
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| On many world grids the vertical columns are identified by a letter
and the horizontal rows are numbered. Every area within this grid can be
identified by a letter and a number. As an example, the "X" on the world
map grid above is located in the square where row 3 crosses column C.
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| Using the World Map Grid
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| Look at the grid on the world map at the end of this activity. The
vertical columns are identified by the letters A to L. The horizontal
rows are numbered 1 to 6. Every area on the map can be identified by a
specific letter and number. As an example, the location of D 4 refers to
the box where column D crosses row 4.
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| Map grids are often used with a place name index. A place name index
is a list of names found on the map. The world map at the end of the
activity has a place name index for cities.
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| Imagine that you need to find the city of Jakarta. First find it on
the city place name index. The list shows the location of Jakarta as J
4. Find the place on the map where column J crosses row 4, Jakarta is
located in this box.
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| This is only a "rough" location, because the J 4 location forms a
box which you must search to find the city. However, it is quicker than
searching the entire world to find Jakarta. Practice using the grid
system by finding other cities in the place name index.
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| ??? Find each of the following places listed in the place name index
on the world map. Determine its grid location. Record your answer in the
space provided.
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| POINTS OF INTEREST INDEX
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| 1. Ayers Rock |
Grid Location _________ |
| This massive, single stone is located in central
Australia and is over 1,000 feet high and 1 miles long. |
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| 2 Chichen Itza |
Grid Location __________ |
| The large ruins of an ancient Mayan city were
built about 1,000 years ago on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico.
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| 3 Colosseum |
Grid Location __________ |
| The largest outdoor theater in ancient Rome was
built about 2,000 years ago and was the site of gladiator
battles. |
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| 4 Great Wall of China |
Grid Location __________ |
| The longest structure ever constructed was built
by hand to keep invaders out (unsuccessfully) of China. |
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| 5 Titanic Wreckage |
Grid Location __________ |
| The "unsinkable" British ocean liner was sunk in
1912 after sideswiping an iceberg on her first voyage. |
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| 6 Victoria Falls |
Grid Location __________ |
| This spectacular waterfall on the Zambezi River
is over 1 mile wide and plunges 350 feet into a misty gorge.
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| Note of caution: A map grid may be created only for the map on which
it appears. If someone else asks about a location, they need the same
map you used to find the grid location.
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