Basic Map Skills

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Map Skills Reflection

I find that learning the locations of oceans, continents and most large countries easy. I find it easy because since oceans and continents are so large it is easy to pick out where everything is and it is also easy to remember the basic outlines of the continents. I also find it easy learning where many of the continents are because I like to use memory devices that are easy to remember like how Italy is shaped like a boot or how Massachusetts is shaped like a hook. It is also easy for me to learn how to find coordinates. At first I thought it would be difficult but then I got the hang of it right from the start. Finally a third thing I found easy is remembering the cardinal directions. I found it easy because I like to use keys with this as well, for example I like to use a phrase for north, east, south and west  which is never eat soggy waffles.

Something that I found myself struggling with is remembering the locations of the smaller continent in mostly Europe and Asia as well as Africa. I found myself struggling with this because there were so many that I it was hard to remember the majority of the countries and it was also hard because some have very complicated names.

Finally, basic map skills are necessary for many reasons. One reason they are necessary is because if you want to travel the world then how will you be able to get places if you don't even have a knowledge of map skills and have no idea of where you're going. Map skills help me to better understand geography because it will help me to know the locations of a variety of places like the coordinates of towns, store or other countries. Another way that basic map skills help me to get a realistic distance from one location to the other using scales on maps. The scales can also be used for climate/temperature, population and more.