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Lesson 1 of 84 · Maps and Geography

30 XP🗺️ Atlas Outpost

Reading a Map: Cardinal Directions

🌍Mission Brief #1

Cardinal directions are the four main points on a compass: north, south, east, and west.

🎯 Your mission

Find it on the map. Then find what makes it special.

⚡ The twist

Borders move. Mountains don't.

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Mind = Blown

🤯 There's a country (Vatican City) that's smaller than most golf courses.

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Then & Now

🌍 The geography you'll learn is the same one your phone's GPS is using right now.

Cardinal directions are the four main points on a compass: north, south, east, and west. These directions help us understand how to navigate and find our way on a map. For example, if you are facing north, east will be to your right, south will be behind you, and west will be to your left. Knowing cardinal directions is essential for reading maps and exploring new places.

Key Facts

1

North is usually at the top of a map.

2

East is to the right of north.

3

West is to the left of north.

Check Your Understanding

Question 1

1 of 2

What direction is to the right of north?

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Why this still matters

Every label on the food in your kitchen says where it traveled from.

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Stretch Challenge

Try this in real life this week.

Find where everything in your fridge came from this week.

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For the dinner table

If you could live anywhere on Earth, where would it be — and why?

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Reading a Map: Cardinal Directions

Find it on the map. Then find what makes it special.

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Reading a Map: Cardinal Directions — Maps and Geography | 4th Grade Social Studies | LittleActivity