A representation or drawing of some area viewed from the top

A picture of a country from space

What are lines of latitude?

Horizontal lines drawn parallel to the equator to measure distance north or south

Vertical lines measuring east or west position

Lines connecting the North and South poles

The angular distance measured east or west from the Prime Meridian

The distance from the equator north or south

The height of mountains on a map

The length of rivers shown on a map

What is scale on a map?

The ratio between a distance on the map and the actual distance on the ground

The symbols used to represent features

The direction indicator on a map

To find directions, plan routes, understand relative locations, and study geographical features without traveling to a place

Only for geography classes in school

Maps are only needed for travel

To show where treasure is buried

Why is scale important on a map?

It allows us to calculate actual real-world distances from the distances shown on the map

Scale is only important for very large maps

Scale shows the direction of north

Scale indicates the age of the map

What is the International Date Line?

An imaginary line at approximately 180° longitude where the date changes as you cross it

The equator dividing hemispheres

A line marking the boundaries of time zones

The Prime Meridian at 0° longitude

Why do we use symbols on maps?

To represent various features (rivers, roads, forests, buildings) in a compact form that saves space while conveying information

Because drawing the actual features would be impossible on paper

Symbols make maps colourful and attractive

Symbols are used only on political maps

What is the Tropic of Cancer?

The line of latitude at 23.5°N marking the northernmost point where the Sun can be directly overhead

The equator in the Northern Hemisphere

The line marking the tropics in the south

Why do we use a globe to understand the Earth better than a flat map?

A globe represents the Earth's true round shape without the distortion that occurs when a sphere is flattened into a map

A globe is easier to make than a map

Globes are only useful for decoration

Flat maps are always more accurate than globes

What are cardinal directions?

North, South, East, and West – the four main directions

The direction shown by the Prime Meridian

The directions from the Equator

Why are latitudes and longitudes essential for locating places on Earth?

Together they form a grid system (coordinate system) that gives every point on Earth a unique address

Latitudes are enough to locate any place without longitudes

Longitudes only matter for sailors at sea

Latitudes and longitudes are only used by pilots

What is a key (legend) on a map?

A table explaining what each symbol, colour, or pattern on the map represents

The most important place shown on the map

What is the difference between physical and thematic maps?

Physical maps show natural features; thematic maps show specific information like population density, rainfall, or crop distribution

Physical maps show cities; thematic maps show rivers

Thematic maps are always smaller than physical maps

Both types of maps show the same information

How does a map of a city help someone who is visiting for the first time?

It shows the relative positions of key places, distances, directions to navigate, and landmarks – reducing the need to ask for directions and enabling independent navigation

A city map only shows streets and their names

Maps are not useful in cities where signs are posted

A map is only useful if the visitor can read the local language

How do GPS systems use the concept of latitude and longitude?

GPS satellites calculate the exact latitude and longitude of a device and use this coordinate to pinpoint the device's location to within a few metres

GPS uses only longitude for location

GPS works independently of latitude-longitude system

GPS was developed before latitude-longitude was invented

Why is it that no flat map of the Earth can be 100% accurate?

Because projecting a spherical surface onto a flat surface always introduces distortion – either in shape, area, distance, or direction – trade-offs are unavoidable

Flat maps are always accurate for small areas

Modern technology has solved all map distortion problems

Flat maps are more accurate than globes

How do time zones relate to the longitude system?

The Earth is divided into 24 time zones (one for each hour) separated by 15° of longitude; as you move east you add time, as you move west you subtract time

Time zones are determined by latitude

There are only 12 time zones in the world

Time zones were created before longitude was invented

Why might the same place appear different on a physical map and a political map?

Physical maps show natural terrain (mountains, rivers), while political maps show human-defined boundaries (countries, states) – both represent the same place from different perspectives and for different purposes

Physical and political maps always look the same

Political maps are more accurate than physical maps

Physical maps have no borders between countries

How does knowing how to read maps relate to real-life skills?

Map reading enables navigation, understanding of geographical relationships, planning travel, interpreting news about world events, and making informed decisions about locations and resources

Map reading is only a school skill with no real-world use

People who use GPS never need map reading skills

Map reading is only useful for soldiers and sailors

Why is the equator called the 'great circle' of the Earth?

Because it is the longest latitude line, equal in length to any circle through the Earth's centre, dividing the planet into two equal hemispheres

Because it is the only important line on Earth

Because it runs around the Earth's greatest mountains

Because the Sun is always directly overhead at the equator

How might changes in physical features (like a new dam creating a lake) require updating a map?

Maps must reflect the current reality of the place; new features must be added and old ones removed to maintain accuracy – showing that maps are living documents that evolve

Only political maps need updating

Physical features never change enough to require map updates

Which of the following are types of maps?

Physical maps showing natural terrain

Political maps showing country and state boundaries

Thematic maps showing specific data like population or rainfall

Personal maps showing one's daily routine

Which of the following are key components of any map?

A scale to indicate distance ratio

A key/legend explaining symbols

Cardinal direction indicator (North arrow or compass rose)

Always a border showing the sea

Which of the following correctly describe the role of latitude and longitude?

Latitude lines run parallel to the equator

Longitude lines run from pole to pole

Together they form a coordinate grid for locating any point on Earth

They are the same as time zones

How has mapping technology evolved from hand-drawn maps to satellite imagery, and what remains constant?

The fundamental purpose – representing Earth's surface for navigation and understanding – remains constant; only the tools have changed from manual surveys to GPS satellites and GIS software producing more accurate, updatable maps

Satellite maps are fundamentally different from traditional maps

Modern maps have no connection to ancient mapping principles

Traditional hand-drawn maps were more accurate than modern ones

How might the availability of free online maps (Google Maps) change the way people relate to geography?

They democratise geographic information, making navigation accessible to everyone; but may reduce students' ability to read traditional maps or develop spatial thinking without digital tools

Online maps have no effect on geography education

Online maps are less accurate than traditional maps

Online maps eliminate the need to learn geography

If a student in India wants to find the local time in New York, USA, what knowledge of geography is needed?

Knowledge of longitude positions of both cities, time zone differences (India is UTC+5:30; New York is UTC-5), and calculation of the time difference

Only the country names are needed

Time difference is based on latitude differences

Time zones are the same worldwide

How does map reading develop critical thinking skills?

It requires interpreting symbols, calculating distances, understanding scale, determining direction, and synthesising spatial information – all higher-order thinking skills

Map reading only requires memorisation

Map reading does not require analysis or inference

Critical thinking is not needed to read maps

Why might a developing country's maps differ significantly from reality, and what are the implications?

Rapid urbanisation, changing borders, and limited resources for surveys can make maps outdated quickly; inaccurate maps affect planning, development, resource allocation, and disaster management

Maps in all countries are always up to date

Outdated maps have no practical consequences

Only developed countries need accurate maps

Which of the following are uses of maps in modern life?

Navigation using GPS (based on latitude-longitude system)

Weather forecasting using thematic maps

Emergency response using maps to reach disaster sites

Which of the following correctly describe the limitations of maps?

All flat maps have some distortion of shape, area, or distance

A map cannot show all details at any scale

Maps can become outdated as places change

Maps always perfectly represent reality

Which of the following correctly describe the relationship between latitude, longitude, and time?

The Earth rotates 360° in 24 hours – 15° per hour

Every 15° of longitude = 1 hour difference in time

India's standard time is based on 82.5°E longitude

Time zones have no relation to longitude

NCERT Solutions Class 6 Social Science Chapter 1 – Locating Places on the Earth

Name: Locating Places on the Earth – Class 6 Social Science
Uploaded: 2026-07-23T06:30:47+00:00
Description: This chapter explains how to read and understand maps using components like distance, direction, and symbols. It also introduces latitudes, longitudes, time zones, and the concept of the International Date Line to locate places and measure time on Earth.

Class 6 Social Science

Last Updated: 23 July 2026

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Chapter Introduction

This chapter explains how to read and understand maps using components like distance, direction, and symbols. It also introduces latitudes, longitudes, time zones, and the concept of the International Date Line to locate places and measure time on Earth.

हिंदी में (Hindi)

यह अध्याय नक्शे को पढ़ने और समझने के तरीकों को बताता है, जिसमें दूरी, दिशा और प्रतीकों जैसे तत्व शामिल हैं। यह अक्षांश, देशांतर, समय क्षेत्र और अंतरराष्ट्रीय तिथि रेखा की अवधारणा को भी प्रस्तुत करता है, ताकि पृथ्वी पर स्थानों का पता लगाया जा सके और समय मापा जा सके।

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Important Points

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Practice MCQ Questions (40 questions)

Q1. What is a map?

Q2. What is an atlas?

Q3. What are the three important components of a map?

Q4. What is the imaginary line that divides the Earth into Northern and Southern hemispheres?

Q5. What is the Prime Meridian?

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Tough Words (Glossary)

Representation

Meaning: A way of showing something in a particular form

अर्थ: प्रतिनिधित्व / प्रस्तुति

"A map is a representation of an area."

Atlas

Meaning: A collection or book of maps

अर्थ: मानचित्र-संग्रह / एटलस

"He looked at the atlas to find Africa."

Physical Map

Meaning: A map showing natural features like mountains, rivers

अर्थ: भौतिक मानचित्र

"The physical map showed the Himalayas."

Political Map

Meaning: A map showing boundaries, states, and cities

अर्थ: राजनीतिक मानचित्र

"India’s states are shown in the political map."

Thematic Map

Meaning: A map showing specific information like rainfall or population

अर्थ: विषयगत मानचित्र

"The thematic map showed rainfall patterns."

Scale

Meaning: The ratio between distance on a map and the real ground distance

अर्थ: मानचित्र पैमाना

"The map has a scale of 1 cm = 10 km."

Cardinal Directions

Meaning: The four main directions—north, south, east, west

अर्थ: मुख्य दिशाएँ

"North, south, east, and west are cardinal directions."

Intermediate Directions

Meaning: Directions between the cardinal ones—NE, SE, SW, NW

अर्थ: मध्यवर्ती दिशाएँ

"Northeast is an intermediate direction."

Symbol

Meaning: A small drawing or mark used to represent something

अर्थ: प्रतीक

"A tree symbol is used on maps."

Survey

Meaning: The act of examining and mapping an area

अर्थ: सर्वेक्षण

"The Survey of India prepares official maps."

Sphere

Meaning: A perfectly round 3D object like a ball

अर्थ: गोला / गोलाकार

"The Earth is almost a sphere."

Flattened

Meaning: Pressed down to make flat

अर्थ: चपटा किया हुआ

"The Earth is slightly flattened at the poles."

Globe

Meaning: A spherical model of the Earth

अर्थ: पृथ्वी का ग्लोब

"She used a globe to study continents."

Coordinates

Meaning: A set of numbers used to show the exact position

अर्थ: निर्देशांक

"The coordinates 28°N, 77°E point to Delhi."

Latitude

Meaning: Imaginary lines running east-west, parallel to the Equator

अर्थ: अक्षांश

"Delhi lies near 28°N latitude."

Equator

Meaning: An imaginary line around the Earth dividing it into north and south

अर्थ: भूमध्य रेखा

"The Equator divides Earth into two hemispheres."

Parallel

Meaning: Lines that never meet, equally apart

अर्थ: समांतर रेखा

"Parallels of latitude are circles parallel to the Equator."

Climate

Meaning: The usual weather of a place over time

अर्थ: जलवायु

"The climate near the Equator is hot."

Torrid

Meaning: Very hot and dry region

अर्थ: उष्ण कटिबंधीय

"The torrid zone lies near the Equator."

Temperate

Meaning: Mild, moderate climate

अर्थ: समशीतोष्ण

"Europe has a temperate climate."

Frigid

Meaning: Extremely cold

अर्थ: अत्यधिक ठंडा

"Antarctica lies in the frigid zone."

Longitude

Meaning: Imaginary lines running north-south, from pole to pole

अर्थ: देशांतर

"Delhi is near 77°E longitude."

Meridian

Meaning: A line of longitude

अर्थ: देशांतर रेखा

"The Prime Meridian passes through Greenwich."

Prime Meridian

Meaning: 0° longitude, reference for time

अर्थ: प्रधान देशांतर रेखा

"Greenwich is at the Prime Meridian."

Greenwich

Meaning: Place in London through which Prime Meridian passes

अर्थ: ग्रीनविच

"The Prime Meridian passes through Greenwich."

Axis

Meaning: An imaginary line around which a body rotates

अर्थ: अक्ष

"The Earth rotates on its axis."

Rotation

Meaning: Spinning of Earth on its axis

अर्थ: घूर्णन

"One rotation of Earth takes 24 hours."

Revolution

Meaning: Movement around the Sun

अर्थ: परिक्रमण

"Earth’s revolution around the Sun causes seasons."

Time Zone

Meaning: Region with same standard time

अर्थ: समय क्षेत्र

"India follows one time zone: IST."

Standard Time

Meaning: Official time used in a country

अर्थ: मानक समय

"India’s standard time is IST."

Greenwich Mean Time

Meaning: Standard time at Greenwich

अर्थ: ग्रीनविच माध्य समय

"GMT is used as a world reference time."

Indian Standard Time

Meaning: The time zone used in India

अर्थ: भारतीय मानक समय

"IST is 5.5 hours ahead of GMT."

International Date Line

Meaning: Line at 180° longitude where date changes

अर्थ: अंतर्राष्ट्रीय तिथि रेखा

"Crossing the International Date Line changes the date."

Grid

Meaning: Network of latitudes and longitudes

अर्थ: ग्रिड

"The globe has a grid of latitudes and longitudes."

Hemisphere

Meaning: Half of the Earth, divided by Equator or Prime Meridian

अर्थ: अर्धगोलार्ध

"India lies in the Northern Hemisphere."

Map Projection

Meaning: Method to show Earth’s curved surface on flat maps

अर्थ: मानचित्र प्रक्षेपण

"Map projections distort shapes slightly."

Navigation

Meaning: Finding direction or route

अर्थ: नेविगेशन / मार्गदर्शन

"Sailors use stars for navigation."

Territory

Meaning: An area belonging to a country

अर्थ: क्षेत्र / भूभाग

"The map shows all Indian territories."

Boundary

Meaning: A dividing line between areas

अर्थ: सीमा

"The river forms a natural boundary."

Compass

Meaning: Instrument showing directions

अर्थ: कंपास

"He used a compass to find north."

Kilometre

Meaning: A unit of distance equal to 1000 meters

अर्थ: किलोमीटर

"The town is 10 kilometres away."

Local Time

Meaning: The time at a specific place based on longitude

अर्थ: स्थानीय समय

"Local time differs from place to place."

Standard Meridian

Meaning: A longitude used to set the standard time of a country

अर्थ: मानक देशांतर

"India’s standard meridian is 82.5°E."

Cartography

Meaning: The science of making maps

अर्थ: मानचित्रण

"Cartography developed with explorers’ travels."

Topography

Meaning: The arrangement of natural and artificial features of land

अर्थ: स्थलाकृतिक अध्ययन

"The topography of the region is mountainous."

Meridional

Meaning: Relating to meridians or longitude

अर्थ: देशांतर संबंधी

"Meridional lines run north to south."

Orientation

Meaning: Position or direction of something

अर्थ: दिशा / अभिविन्यास

"The map’s orientation points north."

Distortion

Meaning: Change in shape when showing sphere on flat map

अर्थ: विकृति

"Map projection causes some distortion."

Geography

Meaning: The study of Earth’s surface and features

अर्थ: भूगोल

"Geography helps us understand the Earth."

Ch 2: Oceans and Continents

NCERT Solutions Class 6 Social Science Chapter 1 – Locating Places on the Earth

Chapter Introduction

Watch Video Lecture

Important Points

Practice MCQ Questions (40 questions)

Q1. What is a map?

Q2. What is an atlas?

Q3. What are the three important components of a map?

Q4. What is the imaginary line that divides the Earth into Northern and Southern hemispheres?

Q5. What is the Prime Meridian?

Q6. What are lines of latitude?

Q7. What is longitude?

Q8. What type of map shows natural features like mountains, rivers, and plains?

Q9. What type of map shows country borders, states, and cities?

Q10. What is scale on a map?

Q11. Why do we need maps?

Q12. Why is scale important on a map?

Q13. What is the International Date Line?

Q14. Why do we use symbols on maps?

Q15. What is the Tropic of Cancer?

Q16. Why do we use a globe to understand the Earth better than a flat map?

Q17. What are cardinal directions?

Q18. Why are latitudes and longitudes essential for locating places on Earth?

Q19. What is a key (legend) on a map?

Q20. What is the difference between physical and thematic maps?

Q21. How does a map of a city help someone who is visiting for the first time?

Q22. How do GPS systems use the concept of latitude and longitude?

Q23. Why is it that no flat map of the Earth can be 100% accurate?

Q24. How do time zones relate to the longitude system?

Q25. Why might the same place appear different on a physical map and a political map?

Q26. How does knowing how to read maps relate to real-life skills?

Q27. Why is the equator called the 'great circle' of the Earth?

Q28. How might changes in physical features (like a new dam creating a lake) require updating a map?

Q29. Which of the following are types of maps?

Q30. Which of the following are key components of any map?

Q31. Which of the following correctly describe the role of latitude and longitude?

Q32. How has mapping technology evolved from hand-drawn maps to satellite imagery, and what remains constant?

Q33. How might the availability of free online maps (Google Maps) change the way people relate to geography?

Q34. If a student in India wants to find the local time in New York, USA, what knowledge of geography is needed?

Q35. How does map reading develop critical thinking skills?

Q36. Why might a developing country's maps differ significantly from reality, and what are the implications?

Q37. Which of the following correctly describe important parallels of latitude?

Q38. Which of the following are uses of maps in modern life?

Q39. Which of the following correctly describe the limitations of maps?

Q40. Which of the following correctly describe the relationship between latitude, longitude, and time?