Locating Places on the Earth Class 6 Soial science Chapter 1 CBSE Notes 2025-26

Social Science allows us to understand our society, its history, and how our physical world shapes the way people live. In CBSE Class 6 Social Science Chapter 1, "Locating Places on the Earth," students learn the basics of how we describe, represent, and find places on our planet, both on maps and globes. This knowledge forms the foundation for further studies in geography and helps us understand how everyday tools such as maps and time zones are actually based on simple principles.

Importance of Maps and Components A map is a simplified drawing that represents any area—be it a small town, a state, or even the entire world. Maps can be physical (depicting natural features like mountains and rivers), political (showing boundaries and cities), or thematic (presenting a specific fact like population or rainfall).

The three main components every map must have are distance, direction, and symbols. A map's scale tells us how much a real-world distance has been reduced to fit the map, while directions help us locate anything in relation to north, south, east, and west. Symbols are simple signs or drawings used to represent real objects and places, enabling maps to show more information clearly, even when the area depicted is very large.

Understanding Scale and Directions The scale is a fundamental feature of any map. For instance, if a scale is 1 cm = 500 m, then 1 cm on the map represents 500 meters in real world. This concept allows us to calculate actual distances by measuring on the map. Direction is equally vital. The main (cardinal) directions are north, east, south, and west. Maps often show an 'N' arrow to indicate north. Intermediate directions (like northwest or southeast) help further pinpoint locations.

• Maps represent real places using a scale to indicate distance.
• Symbols and colors are used for easy identification of landmarks.
• Cardinal (N, S, E, W) and intermediate directions are essential for navigation.
• The Survey of India standardizes the use of specific map symbols in India.

Globe and the Shape of Earth Earth is nearly spherical but slightly flattened at the poles. While globes best represent the planet's shape, flat maps help us view larger areas at once. This is why, even though neither is perfect, both are essential tools. By attempting to flatten orange peels, one can see how difficult it is to turn a sphere into a flat image—and why map projections can distort distances.

Coordinates: Latitudes and Longitudes Coordinates are a global positioning system that helps us accurately find any place on Earth. The two coordinates are latitude and longitude. Latitudes are horizontal lines parallel to the Equator, which is at 0°. The Equator divides the Earth into northern and southern hemispheres. The poles are at 90°N and 90°S. Longitudes, or meridians, are half-circles stretching from the North Pole to the South Pole.

The Prime Meridian (0°) passes through Greenwich, London, and divides the Earth into eastern and western hemispheres. Major cities are described using both latitude and longitude (for example, Delhi is at roughly 29°N, 77°E).

• Latitude determines the distance north or south from the Equator and affects climate (hotter near the Equator, cooler near poles).
• Longitude specifies the distance east or west from the Prime Meridian and influences local time.
• Every location on Earth can be pinpointed using both latitude and longitude.

Time Zones and Standard Time Because the Earth is round and rotates once every 24 hours, different places experience sunrise and sunset at different times. Therefore, longitudes are used for timekeeping. The world is divided into time zones, each generally 15° of longitude wide, with a new time zone every hour.

Standard time is based on the longitude passing through a country’s chosen reference point for time; for example, Indian Standard Time (IST) is at 82.5°E, which is 5 hours and 30 minutes ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Some countries, like Russia and the USA, span across multiple time zones.

• Local time depends on the position of the sun using longitude.
• Standard time is adopted for the convenience of the country and may not match local time in all regions.
• The International Date Line, around 180°, marks where the date changes by one day.

Symbols and Map Activities Symbols act as a common language for map readers. Landmarks such as schools, hospitals, bridges, and roads are shown with specific signs. The Survey of India provides standard map symbols. Making simple maps and using map symbols helps students explore their local area and improves their practical map-reading skills.

Revision Points and Key Learnings This chapter emphasizes asking questions and searching for answers about our world. Whether calculating distances using map scales, identifying directions, or finding the precise location of a city, these social science foundations help students make sense of the physical and social world. Before moving on, remember:

• A map’s accuracy depends on understanding scale, direction, and symbols used on it.
• The Earth’s grid of latitude and longitude lets us locate any place exactly.
• Time zones make global timekeeping practical; the International Date Line marks where the date changes.

In summary, Chapter 1 lays the basis for deeper studies in geography and social science by making you comfortable with tools like maps, globes, coordinates, and time zones. All these are essential for understanding how societies interact with their environment and with each other.

Class 6 Social Science Chapter 1 Notes – Locating Places on the Earth: HTML 1.0 Structure Explained

These Class 6 Social Science Chapter 1 notes cover the essentials of maps, globes, latitude, and longitude, all clearly outlined using only HTML 1.0 tags. Reviewing these points helps you build solid basics for future geography topics. With simple explanations and easy visualisation tips, you’ll find it much easier to recall important facts in exams and daily life.

Use these notes to practice map-based reasoning, direction sense, and understanding time zones, as per the latest CBSE syllabus. Each topic is explained in straightforward language for better retention, making your preparation for assessments more effective and stress-free.