Chapter-Locating Places on the Earth Social Science class 6 in english Medium CBSE Notes

Locating Places on the Earth

Page 2 Notes

1. Important Terms and Definitions

Map

A map is a representation or drawing of an area of the Earth's surface viewed from above.

Atlas

An atlas is a book or collection of maps.

Scale

Scale shows the relationship between the distance on a map and the actual distance on the ground.

Globe

A globe is a spherical model of the Earth.

Coordinates

Coordinates are values used to identify the precise location of a place on the Earth.

Latitude

Latitude is the measure of the distance of a place north or south of the Equator.

Longitude

Longitude is the measure of the distance of a place east or west of the Prime Meridian.

Equator

The Equator is the 0° latitude that divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Prime Meridian

The Prime Meridian is the 0° longitude passing through Greenwich.

Local Time

Local time is the time of a particular place based on its longitude.

Standard Time

Standard time is the officially adopted time followed by a country or region.

Time Zone

A time zone is a region in which the same standard time is followed.

International Date Line

The International Date Line is an imaginary line located approximately at 180° longitude where crossing the line changes the date by one day.

2. Important Differences

Map	Globe
A map is a flat representation of the Earth's surface.	A globe is a spherical model of the Earth.
It can show a very small or very large area in detail.	It represents the Earth as a whole or in a spherical form.

Latitude	Longitude
Measures distance north or south of the Equator.	Measures distance east or west of the Prime Meridian.
Parallels run east-west.	Meridians run from pole to pole.
Equator is 0° latitude.	Prime Meridian is 0° longitude.

Local Time	Standard Time
It depends on the longitude of a particular place.	It is the officially adopted time of a country or region.
It can differ from one place to another.	It is kept uniform within the relevant region.

Parallel of Latitude	Meridian of Longitude
Runs east-west.	Runs from the North Pole to the South Pole.
Parallel to the Equator.	All meridians meet at the poles.
Equator is the longest parallel.	Prime Meridian is the reference meridian.

3. Topic-wise Notes

Topic 1: Maps

• A map represents an area of the Earth's surface.
• Maps are viewed as if the area is being seen from above.
• Maps can represent villages, towns, districts, states, countries or the whole world.
• An atlas is a collection of maps.

Topic 2: Types of Maps

• Physical Maps: Show natural features such as mountains, rivers and oceans.
• Political Maps: Show countries, states, boundaries and cities.
• Thematic Maps: Show information related to a particular theme.

Topic 3: Components of a Map

• The three main components of a map are distance, direction and symbols.
• Distance: Shows how far one place is from another.
• Direction: Helps us determine the position of one place in relation to another.
• Symbols: Represent different features on a map.

Topic 4: Scale

• Scale shows the relationship between map distance and actual ground distance.
• It allows large areas to be represented on small maps.
• For example, if 1 cm on a map represents 500 m on the ground, the scale is 1 cm = 500 m.

Topic 5: Directions

• The four cardinal directions are North, East, South and West.
• The intermediate directions are Northeast, Southeast, Southwest and Northwest.
• Directions help us locate one place in relation to another.

Topic 6: Symbols

• Maps use symbols to represent different features.
• Symbols make maps simple and easy to understand.
• They can represent roads, railway lines, buildings, rivers, boundaries and other features.
• The Survey of India uses a standard set of symbols for maps of India.

Topic 7: Globe

• A globe is a spherical model of the Earth.
• It represents the shape of the Earth more naturally than a flat map.
• A globe can show continents, oceans, countries and the imaginary lines used to locate places.

Topic 8: Coordinates

• Coordinates help us identify the precise location of a place.
• The two coordinates are latitude and longitude.
• The intersection of a particular latitude and longitude identifies a specific location.

Topic 9: Latitudes

• Latitudes measure distance north or south of the Equator.
• Parallels of latitude are imaginary circles running east-west.
• The Equator is 0° latitude.
• The North Pole is 90°N.
• The South Pole is 90°S.
• Parallels become smaller towards the poles.

Topic 10: Latitudes and Climate

• Latitude has an important relationship with climate.
• Places near the Equator generally receive more direct sunlight and are warmer.
• Places towards the poles are generally colder.

Topic 11: Longitudes

• Longitudes are imaginary half-circles running from the North Pole to the South Pole.
• They measure distance east or west of the Prime Meridian.
• The Prime Meridian is 0° longitude.
• Longitudes are measured up to 180° east and 180° west.
• 180°E and 180°W represent the same longitude.

Topic 12: Prime Meridian

• The Prime Meridian is the reference line for measuring longitude.
• It is marked 0° longitude.
• It passes through Greenwich in London.
• It divides the Earth into the Eastern and Western Hemispheres.

Topic 13: Hemispheres

• The Equator divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
• The Prime Meridian divides the Earth into the Eastern and Western Hemispheres.
• A hemisphere means one half of the Earth.

Topic 14: Latitude and Longitude Grid

• Latitudes and longitudes together form a grid on the globe.
• This grid is used to locate places accurately.
• Every location can be identified using its latitude and longitude.

Topic 15: Ancient Indian Knowledge

• Ancient Indian astronomers had knowledge of latitude and longitude.
• Ujjayini was an important centre of astronomy.
• The Ujjayini meridian was known as madhya rekhā.
• It was used as a reference in ancient Indian astronomical calculations.

Topic 16: Location of India

• India extends approximately from 8°N to 37°N latitudes.
• India extends approximately from 68°E to 97°E longitudes.
• India lies in the Northern and Eastern Hemispheres.

Topic 17: Longitude and Time

• The Earth rotates through 360° in 24 hours.
• Therefore, it rotates through 15° in one hour.
• Thus, a difference of 15° longitude corresponds approximately to a one-hour difference in local time.
• Places towards the east have later local time.
• Places towards the west have earlier local time.

Topic 18: Local Time

• Local time depends on the longitude of a place.
• Different longitudes have different local times.
• Using different local times throughout a country can create confusion.

Topic 19: Standard Time

• A country generally selects a particular meridian as a reference for its standard time.
• India follows Indian Standard Time (IST).
• IST is 5 hours 30 minutes ahead of GMT.

Topic 20: Time Zones

• A time zone is an area where the same standard time is followed.
• Time zones are broadly based on 15° intervals of longitude.
• Actual time-zone boundaries may follow the political boundaries of countries.
• Large countries may have several time zones.

Topic 21: International Date Line

• The International Date Line lies approximately at 180° longitude.
• It lies opposite the Prime Meridian.
• Crossing the International Date Line changes the date by one day.
• When crossed eastward, one day is subtracted.
• When crossed westward, one day is added.
• The line is not perfectly straight because it bends around some countries and islands.

Quick Facts

• Equator: 0° latitude
• North Pole: 90°N
• South Pole: 90°S
• Prime Meridian: 0° longitude
• Maximum Longitude: 180°E or 180°W
• India: Approximately 8°N–37°N and 68°E–97°E
• Earth's Rotation: 360° in 24 hours
• Time Difference: 15° longitude ≈ 1 hour
• IST: GMT + 5 hours 30 minutes
• International Date Line: Approximately 180° longitude

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