Reading a Map


Targets



If you want to learn more about Atlantic Canada, looking at maps is an excellent place to begin.  A world map will show you where Atlantic Canada is located in relation to other countries.  A North American map will show how the Atlantic region is related to the Eastern seaboard in the United States.  A Canadian map will help you see how the Atlantic is related to the rest of Canada.

In this lesson, you will examine a map of the Atlantic region to see what you can learn from it.  When you are finished, you will be able to:

  • tell the names of the provinces in this region and their relative locations to each other
  • describe the region’s relative location compared to the remainder of Canada
  • describe the region’s relative location compared to the United States
  • tell why this region was popular with pirates
  • identify renewable and non-renewable resources in the region

Introduction


What is relative location?

Relative location needs a point of reference such as being near to a primary highway, close to an orchard, or a short drive from the water. 

Relative location can be described by landmarks, direction, distance, or time.  An example would be that Atlantic Canada is found on the East coast of Canada next to the Atlantic Ocean.  Another example is that the United States and Mexico are located south of Canada.

Landmarks, distance, direction, and time can be presented by symbols on a map. This lesson will help you learn to use them and others like them.
Map of North America via Wikicommons