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Analyze a Map

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Meet the map.

  • What is the title?
  • Is there a scale and compass?
  • What is in the legend?
  • Type (check all that apply):
    Political Topographic/Physical Aerial/Satellite Relief (Shaded or Raised)
    Exploration Survey Natural Resource Planning
    Land Use Transportation Military Population/Settlement
    Census Other

Observe its parts.

  • What place or places are shown?
  • What is labeled?
  • If there are symbols or colors, what do they stand for?
  • Who made it?
  • When is it from?

Try to make sense of it.

  • What was happening at the time in history this map was made?
  • Why was it created? List evidence from the map or your knowledge about the mapmaker that led you to your conclusion.
  • Write one sentence summarizing this map.
  • How does it compare to a current map of the same place?

Use it as historical evidence.

  • What did you find out from this map that you might not learn anywhere else?
  • What other documents or historical evidence are you going to use to help you understand this event or topic?

Materials created by the ÍþÄá˹ÈËÓéÀÖ³¡ and Records Administration are in the public domain.

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