Comparing Globes And Maps Worksheet printable pdf download

Comparing Globes And Maps Worksheet

Comparing Globes and Maps

We use globes and maps as tools to display and locate places on Earth but in different ways. Each tool has

its own advantages and disadvantages. Read this article to compare the differences.

Globes:

A globe is a round model of Earth. That means it’s round just like the Earth but smaller. A globe shows

accurate shapes, sizes and distances of land and water. Accurate means something is exactly right or

correct. Globes are the most accurate tool to show the real size and shape of a place.

However, have you ever tried to take a globe in the car for a road trip? It wouldn’t be very useful for

several reasons. First, a globe is not very portable due to its size. Second, a globes’ main purpose is to

display the continents and oceans, not roads or landmarks. Another disadvantage is that you can only see

one side of the world at a time. Therefore, globes are not convenient.

Maps:

A map is a flat drawing of the earth. A map is more convenient than a globe because it is flat. Convenient

means that something is easy to use. You can fold a map and take it anywhere. Computers and smart phones

with GPS systems use maps. Another advantage is that maps can be more detailed for a special purpose

such as: focusing on one place, road maps, elevation maps, population maps or climate maps.

Using a paper map in the car

G.P.S. in cars is very convenient

Even though maps are convenient, a major disadvantage is that they are not as accurate compared to

globes. Maps show distortion which means the sizes and shapes are not accurate. The distortion is caused

because map makers have to display a round earth into a flat map. Study the interrupted map below. A

map like this is not easy to read, so they stretch the empty spaces and create distortion. The areas near

the poles have the wider gaps so there is more distortion in those areas.

Comparing Globes And Maps Worksheet