Maps and Map Reading

SCALE & DISTANCESCALE & DISTANCE

• The scale of the map can be shown in three different ways:

1.1. Words:Words: • 1 centimetre 1 centimetre

represents 1 represents 1 kilometre on the kilometre on the ground.ground.

2.2. Linear:Linear:

SCALE & DISTANCESCALE & DISTANCE

3.3. Ratio:Ratio:

1:100 0001:100 0001 means one unit measured on the map: means represents100 000 means 100 000 of the same units in the real place.

1:100 000 means that each centimetre measured on the map represents 100 000 centimetres (cm) in the real place.

As we do not usually measure large distances in centimetres, we change 100 000 cm to 1000 metres (m) or 1 kilometre (km),

so 1 cm represents 1 km.

For a scale of 1:50 000:1 cm represents 50 000 cm, which is 500 m or 0.5 km.So 2 cm represents 1 km.

For a scale of 1:25 000:1 cm represents 25 000 cm, which is 250 m or 0.25 km.So 4 cm represents 1 km.

DIRECTIONDIRECTION

• Maps are usually drawn so that north is at the top of the map.

• The orientation of the map is indicated by a north arrow drawn on the map.

• Directions are described using the points of the compass. The four main points north (N), south (S), east (E) and west (W) are called the cardinal points.

16 point compass

Quadrants e.g. NE, SE,SW,NW

LOCATING PLACES WITH AN LOCATING PLACES WITH AN AREA REFERENCEAREA REFERENCE

Area reference• An area reference

identifies one square in the grid and is made up of four numbers.

• Square A• Line on left 2121• Line along base 4545• Area Reference (AR)

21452145

LOCATING PLACES WITH A LOCATING PLACES WITH A GRID REFERENCEGRID REFERENCE

• A grid reference pinpoints a specific place within a grid square and is made up of sixsix numbers.

Grid reference (GR) of point A• Start at the bottom left corner of the

square * • Record the two numbers for the line

along the left side of the square 2121• Imagine the width of the square is

divided into 10 equal parts and estimate how far across the square point A is located.

• Half-way is 5 out of 10. 55• Go back to the bottom left corner of

the square * Record the two numbers on the line along the base of the square 4545

• Estimate how far up the square point A is located. Half-way is 5 out of 10 55

• The GR is 21215454555

SYMBOLS SYMBOLS & & LEGENDLEGEND

• NotNot everyevery featurefeature on a map can be shown in detail.• Instead colours and symbols are used to represent them.• Traditionally • blue is used for water, • red lines for roads,• brown for highlands. • Individual buildings such as churches and hospitals often

have their own symbols.• The symbols are all identified in the legend, which can• also be called the key.Remember all maps must have BOLTS:

Border Orientation Legend Title Scale

GEM ISLANDGEM ISLAND

RELIEFRELIEF• Relief is the term term used by

geographers to describe the ups and downs of the Earth’s surface - the shape of the land.

• The height of land above sea level can be shown on a map by:

1.1. spotspot height - a dot with the height in metres next to it

2.2. contour linecontour line - a line with the height marked on it. All places on a contour line are the same height above sea level

3.3. Shading - Shading - from lighter to darker for each different layer of height from lower to higher.