The NCERT Class 6 Social Science Chapter 1 notes for Locating Places on the Earth explain maps, scale, direction, symbols, globe, latitude, longitude, local time, Indian Standard Time and the International Date Line. These notes follow the 2026-27 NCERT textbook and include a free PDF for quick revision.

  • Best for revision: map components, coordinates, latitude-longitude and time zones.
  • Use with the PDF: revise the tables first, then practise scale and time questions.
  • 2026-27 focus: follows Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Chapter 1.

NCERT Class 6 Social Science Chapter 1 Locating Places on the Earth notes featured image

Student Feedback: Students usually understand this chapter faster after linking maps, grid lines and time zones as one location system.

Table of Contents

  1. Chapter 1 Notes Overview
  2. Map Components: Scale, Direction and Symbols
  3. Locating Places on the Earth Revision Video
  4. Latitude, Longitude and Time Zones
  5. Local Time, IST and International Date Line
  6. Related Resources
  7. Social Science Notes for All Chapters
  8. Frequently Asked Questions

Locating Places on the Earth Notes Overview

Chapter 1 explains how humans locate places using maps and globes. A map shows an area from above, while a globe keeps Earth's spherical shape. The chapter moves from simple map reading to latitude, longitude, local time and standard time.

Revision areaKey ideaExample cue
MapRepresentation of an area from aboveCity map, India map or world map
ScaleRelation between map distance and ground distance1 cm equals 500 m
DirectionPosition of one place from anotherNorth, east, south and west
CoordinatesPair of values for exact location29 degrees N, 77 degrees E
Time zonesStandard time areas linked to longitudeIST is GMT plus 5:30

Map Components: Scale, Direction and Symbols

Map components scale direction and symbols for Class 6 Social Science Chapter 1 notes

Maps are useful because they turn real places into readable drawings. Scale converts map distance into ground distance, direction tells where places lie, and symbols represent features such as roads, rivers, railway stations and post offices.

  • Scale: use it to calculate real distance from map distance.
  • Direction: first locate north, then identify other directions.
  • Symbols: read the legend to understand map signs.
  • Atlas: remember that an atlas is a book or collection of maps.

Locating Places on the Earth Chapter 1 Revision Video

Source: Magnet Brains on YouTube

Latitude, Longitude and Time Zones

Latitude longitude and time zones for Class 6 Social Science Chapter 1 notes

Latitude and longitude form a grid on the globe. Latitude measures distance north or south of the Equator. Longitude measures distance east or west of the Prime Meridian. Together, they locate a place precisely.

TermStarts fromDirection measured
LatitudeEquatorNorth or south
LongitudePrime MeridianEast or west
Equator0 degrees latitudeDivides Northern and Southern Hemispheres
Prime Meridian0 degrees longitudeDivides Eastern and Western Hemispheres

Local Time, IST and International Date Line

Earth rotates 360 degrees in 24 hours, so 15 degrees of longitude makes about one hour of local time difference. India follows one standard time, IST, which is 5 hours 30 minutes ahead of GMT.

  • Local time: based on the longitude of a place.
  • Standard time: agreed official time for a country or region.
  • IST: used across India for schools, trains, offices and broadcasts.
  • International Date Line: near 180 degrees longitude and changes the date by one day when crossed.

Locating Places on the Earth Related Resources

ResourceBest useLink
NCERT NotesTopic-wise revision with tablesCurrent page
NCERT SolutionsPractice textbook questionsOpen NCERT Solutions
NCERT Book PDFRead the official chapterOpen Book PDF
Handwritten NotesQuick one-sitting revisionOpen Handwritten Notes

Social Science Notes for All Chapters

ChapterNCERT chapter titleNotes link
Chapter 1Locating Places on the EarthCurrent notes
Chapter 2Oceans and ContinentsOpen Notes
Chapter 3Landforms and LifeOpen Notes
Chapter 4Timeline and Sources of HistoryOpen Notes
Chapter 5India, That Is BharatOpen Notes
Chapter 6The Beginnings of Indian CivilisationOpen Notes
Chapter 7India's Cultural RootsOpen Notes
Chapter 8Unity in Diversity, or Many in the OneOpen Notes
Chapter 9Family and CommunityOpen Notes
Chapter 10Grassroots Democracy Part 1 GovernanceOpen Notes
Chapter 11Grassroots Democracy Part 2 Local Government in Rural AreasOpen Notes
Chapter 12Grassroots Democracy Part 3 Local Government in Urban AreasOpen Notes
Chapter 13The Value of WorkOpen Notes
Chapter 14Economic Activities Around UsOpen Notes

Locating Places on the Earth Class 6 Notes FAQs

Ques. What is Class 6 Social Science Chapter 1 about?

Ans. It explains maps, map components, globe, latitude, longitude, local time, IST, time zones and the International Date Line.

Ques. What are the three main components of maps?

Ans. The three main components are distance, direction and symbols. Scale helps calculate distance, while symbols show map features.

Ques. What is the difference between latitude and longitude?

Ans. Latitude measures distance north or south of the Equator. Longitude measures distance east or west of the Prime Meridian.

Ques. Why does India follow Indian Standard Time?

Ans. India follows IST so the country can use one official time for trains, schools, offices, broadcasts and daily coordination.