Chap.1 ‘Locating Places on The Earth’ Notes – Class 6 Social Science Geography NCERT New Book

Get here Notes based on the Class 6 NCERT Geography Chapter 1 ‘Locating Places on The Earth’. the chapter has three major Topics: Map and its components, Mapping the Earth and Understanding Time Zones. Click here for Question and Answers of this chapter ‘Locating Places on The Earth’.

1. A Map and Its Components

An atlas is a book or collection of maps.

1. Definition and Purpose of a Map:
   • A map is a representation or drawing of an area, viewed from the top.
   • It can depict a small area (like a village or town), a larger area (district or state), or very large areas (countries or the world).
2. Types of Maps:
   • Physical Maps: Show natural features such as mountains, oceans, and rivers.
   • Political Maps: Display details of countries or states, boundaries, cities, etc.
   • Thematic Maps: Provide specific information (e.g., population, climate).
3. Components of Maps:
   • Distance: Maps use a scale to represent real-world distances. For example, in Fig. 1.1, 1 cm on the map represents 500 meters on the ground.
   • Direction: Maps use directional indicators (like the arrows in Fig. 1.1) to show north, south, east, and west.
   • Symbols: Symbols are used to represent different features or places on a map.
4. Map Scale:
   • The scale of a map shows the relationship between distances on the map and actual distances on the ground.
   • Example: In Fig. 1.1, 1 cm = 500 meters. In a map of India (Fig. 5.2 in Chapter 5), 2.5 cm might represent 500 kilometres.

Cardinal and Intermediate Directions

1. Cardinal Directions:
   • North (N), East (E), South (S), West (W).
   • These are the main points on a compass.
2. Intermediate Directions:
   • Northeast (NE), Southeast (SE), Southwest (SW), Northwest (NW).
   • These are the points in between the cardinal directions.
3. Map Direction Indicators:
   • Maps usually have an arrow marked with ‘N’ to indicate the north direction.

Symbols in Maps

1. Importance of Symbols:
   • Symbols represent various features on a map, allowing detailed representation within limited space.
   • Different symbols are used for buildings, roads, natural features, etc.
2. Standard Symbols:
   • Different countries use different sets of symbols.
   • The Survey of India has standardized symbols for maps of India.

2. Mapping the Earth

1. Challenges of Mapping the Earth:
   • Earth is nearly a sphere, not a flat surface.
   • Flattening a spherical shape onto a flat surface (like a map) causes distortions.
2. Globe:
   • A globe is a spherical representation of the Earth.
   • It accurately represents the Earth’s geography.

Understanding Coordinates

1. Coordinates in a Market:
   • Example: Giving directions in a market using rows and shops.
2. Coordinates on a Chessboard:
   • Chess moves are recorded using letters (a-h) and numbers (1-8).
3. System of Coordinates:
   • Used in maps to determine the location of places.

Latitudes

1. Equator:
   • An imaginary line halfway between the North and South Poles.
   • Divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
2. Parallels of Latitude:
   • Lines parallel to the Equator.
   • Measure distance from the Equator in degrees.
3. Degrees of Latitude:
   • Equator: 0° latitude.
   • North Pole: 90°N latitude.
   • South Pole: 90°S latitude.
4. Climate and Latitude:
   • Equator: Hot (torrid).
   • Moving away from the Equator: Moderate (temperate).
   • Near the Poles: Cold (frigid).

Longitudes

1. Meridians of Longitude:
   • Lines running from the North Pole to the South Pole.
   • Measure distance from the Prime Meridian in degrees.
2. Prime Meridian:
   • 0° longitude.
   • Passes through Greenwich, London.
3. Degrees of Longitude:
   • Measured from 0° to 180°, with E (East) or W (West) suffix.
   • Example: New York – 74°W, Delhi – 77°E, Tokyo – 140°E.
4. Longitude and Time:
   • Longitude helps measure the time at different places on Earth.
5. 180° Longitude:
   • 180°E are the same longitude; so this longitude is noted 180°, omitting the letter W or E.

Grid System

1. Combination of Latitudes and Longitudes:
   • Together they form a grid system on maps.
   • Helps in locating any place on Earth precisely.
2. Example Coordinates:
   • Delhi: 29°N, 77°E.

Historical Note on Prime Meridian

1. Greenwich Meridian:
   • Adopted in 1884 as the international standard.
2. Ancient Indian Prime Meridian:
   • Passed through Ujjain, known as madhya rekhā.
   • Used by ancient Indian astronomers for calculations. Varāhamihira, a famous astronomer, lived and worked there some 1,500 years ago.

3. Understanding Time Zones

1. Earth’s Rotation and Time Calculation:
   • Earth rotates from west to east, completing a full turn every 24 hours.
   • 360° rotation in 24 hours equals 15° per hour (360°/24 = 15°).
2. Marking Meridians and Time Zones:
   • Meridians of longitude are marked every 15°.
   • Moving eastward from the Prime Meridian (0°): Each 15° adds one hour to local time.
   • Moving westward: Each 15° subtracts one hour from local time.
   • Example: If it is 12 pm at Greenwich (0°), it is 1 pm at 15°E, 2 pm at 30°E, and so on. Conversely, it is 11 am at 15°W, 10 am at 30°W, and so forth.

Activity Example

1. Sunset in Gujarat and Assam:
   • Porbandar (Gujarat) and Tinsukia (Assam) are approximately 30° apart in longitude.
   • Since 15° of longitude corresponds to a one-hour difference in local time, 30° equates to a two-hour difference.
   • If the sun sets at 6 pm in Assam, it would still be 4 pm in Gujarat, explaining the difference in daylight.
2. Local Time vs. Standard Time:
   • Local Time: The actual time at a specific place based on its longitude.
   • Standard Time: A uniform time adopted by a country, usually based on a central meridian.

Indian Standard Time (IST)

• IST is 5 hours and 30 minutes ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+5:30).

Time Zones and Standard Time

1. Time Zones on World Map:
   • Countries adopt standard times based on meridians.
   • Time zones broadly follow the 15° divisions but adjust for country borders.
   • Countries may have multiple time zones (e.g., USA has six, Russia has 11).
2. International Date Line:
   • Located around 180° longitude, it separates different calendar days.
   • Crossing it eastward subtracts a day (e.g., from Monday to Sunday).
   • Crossing it westward adds a day (e.g., from Sunday to Monday).
   • It deviates to avoid splitting countries into different days.