A map shows how a community fits together — Civics, 4–6 years
A simple map helps us see where homes, roads and useful places are in relation to one another.
A map is a picture of a place
A map is a small, flat picture that shows where things are in a larger place. It can show a home, a school, a park and the paths between them. A map does not copy every detail; it keeps the details that help us find our way.
Why do communities use maps?
A community contains more places than one person can remember at once. A map lets people plan a route, find a service or explain where something is without walking everywhere. It also helps people think about which places are close, far away or missing.
Finding the park
Look at a simple map. The school is in the middle, the library is two blocks north, and the park is one block east of the library. Start at school, walk north for two blocks, then turn right and walk one block. You have used the map to plan the journey.
A map is not the place itself
A map may show a tiny blue square for a big lake, so it is easy to think the lake is tiny. The mark is a sign, not a picture at the same size. Maps make places smaller and use symbols so the important information fits on one page.
Maps help communities plan
People use maps to place a new playground, choose a safe walking route or show where a bus should stop. Emergency workers use them to reach the right building quickly. When you look at a local map, you are seeing how a community is connected.
Keep exploring
Other languages
Loading MyLeoNes™…