World Map Lesson 6
Physical Legends and Map Symbols - Grade 6+

Lesson

You should check the legend of each map before you use it. The legend will tell you what type of information can be found on the map and which symbols are used to represent that information. Many maps will use the same standard symbols, but the symbols can change from map to map. Some maps will have more than one legend.

A point symbol, such as a circle, square, or a small diagram, represents a specific place on the map. Cities are a commonly shown as a point symbol. Other point symbols include dams, waterfalls, or mountain peaks.

??? Use the world map legend and world map to answer the following questions.

1. Match the map symbol to its description, draw the symbol next to the description.

    

   
    

   

   
    

   Symbol	Description	Symbol	Description
   ______	City over 5,000,000	______	Waterfall
   ______	Country capital	______	Dam
   ______	City 1,000,000 to 5,000,000	______	Mountain Peak

    

2. Lake Nasser is formed by what dam in Egypt (Africa)?

    

3. What is the population of Paris, France (Europe)?

    

4. What waterfall is located between Zambia and Zimbabwe (south central Africa)?

    

5. Name the waterfall in Venezuela (South America). It is 3,212 feet tall and is the world's highest waterfall.

    

6. Name the two Brazilian (South America) cities with a population over 5,000,000.

    

7. What is the name of the dam located near the boundaries of Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina (South America)?

    

8. India's has the world's second largest population, but it has a relatively small capital city. Name the capital city and its population?

A line symbol represents a map feature that has the characteristic of length. Rivers and boundaries are commonly shown as line symbols. The map shows many country boundaries, but few continent boundaries because continents are mostly separated by water. In fact, Australia and Antarctica do not touch any other continents. The boundaries are shown in red so that it is easier to see the physical map's elevation colors.

??? Use the world map legend and world map to answer the following questions.

9. Match the map symbol to its description, draw the symbol next to the description.

    

   
    

   

   
    

   Symbol	Description
   ______	Country Boundary
   ______	River
   ______	Continent Boundary

    

10. Mt. Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa. It is located near the country boundary of what two east African countries?

     

11. The longest continental boundary is between Europe and Asia, and runs from the Arctic Ocean to the Caspian Sea. What two countries does it cross?

     

12. The green lowland region of Russian that lies to the east of the Ural Mountains is drained by which two major rivers?

     

13. Brazil shares a country boundary with 10 of the 12 other South American countries. Which two countries do not have a boundary with Brazil?

     

14. The continental boundary between North and South America is also the country boundary between which two nations?

     

15. New Guinea is the world's second largest island and is shared by which two countries?