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A final review on how to use maps to identify and compare resources across different regions.
Imagine you are a treasure hunter looking for the world's most valuable materials. How could you find exactly where the gold, wood, and water are hidden without ever leaving your room?
Natural resources are things found in nature that people use, such as water, minerals, and trees. Since we cannot draw a whole forest on a small piece of paper, we use symbols. A symbol is a small picture that stands for something real. To understand these symbols, we use a map legend (also called a key). The legend is like a 'decoder ring' that tells you exactly what each symbol represents. For example, a tiny blue fish might represent a fishing zone, while a green triangle might represent a timber forest.
Quick Check
If you see a symbol on a map that you don't recognize, where is the best place to look to find its meaning?
Answer
The map legend (or map key).
Not all regions are the same! Geography determines what resources are available. A coastal region near the ocean will likely have plenty of salt and fish. A mountainous region might be filled with minerals like coal or copper. When we compare two regions, we look at the density of symbols. If Region A has 10 tree symbols and Region B has only 2, we can conclude that Region A is much better for the lumber industry.
Look at two imaginary regions on a map: 1. Region Alpha has symbols for corn and symbol for coal. 2. Region Beta has symbol for corn and symbols for coal.
Which region would be the best place to start a large farm? Answer: Region Alpha, because it has more corn symbols ().
Quick Check
If a map shows a high density of 'oil rig' symbols in a desert region, what is that region's primary natural resource?
Answer
Oil (or petroleum).
Industries (businesses that make things) usually stay close to the resources they need. This is called proximity. A paper mill needs two main things: wood and water. Therefore, you will almost always find paper mills located near both a forest and a river. Moving heavy logs is expensive, so building the factory near the trees saves money! Similarly, a city that processes seafood will be located right on the coast so the fish stay fresh.
You are building a factory that makes iron beams for skyscrapers. 1. Iron ore is found in the Highland Mountains. 2. The factory needs a lot of electricity from a Hydroelectric Dam on the Blue River. 3. On your map, you should place your factory at the point where the mountains meet the river to be close to both resources.
Imagine a map where the distance from the Forest to the City is miles, but there is no river. Another Forest is miles away but has a river connecting it to the City.
Even though the second forest is further away, a logging company might choose it because they can float the logs down the river for free! This shows that transportation routes (like rivers) are just as important as the resource itself.
What is the main purpose of a map legend?
If you see a factory symbol located right next to a large forest symbol, what industry is most likely located there?
Natural resources are distributed equally across all regions of the world.
Review Tomorrow
In 24 hours, try to draw three symbols for a map legend: one for 'Coal', one for 'Wheat', and one for 'Fresh Water'.
Practice Activity
Find a map of your own state or country. Look at the legend and see if you can find where the most important natural resources are located!