Map Reading

Map is more useful than a globe because:

1. A map is more accurate than a globe and provides more precise information as maps are drawn to scale whereas a globe is not drawn to scale.
2. A globe represents the relative shapes and sizes of the continents, countries and oceans of the entire earth in 3D whereas maps can be of different types like Large Scale maps, Small scale maps, Physical Maps, Political Maps, Thematic maps, etc. helping us to accurately find location of a country, distance, direction and distribution of crops, etc.

Verbal scale is not accurate as it becomes invalid if the size of the map is increased or decreased. It cannot be converted into different units.

The meaning of R.F. : 1:50,000, is that 1 cm on the map represents 50,000 cm on the ground.

Following are the advantages of drawing a map to scale:

1. We can easily find out the exact distance between two places.
2. Area of a place can be calculated with accuracy.

The given figure shows meander of a river. The labelled diagram of meander is provided below:

The colours in the map help us to identify the features of that place easily. As these colours are universally accepted, hence they do not cause any confusion to the map reader. For example, blue colour is used to show water bodies, red colour is used to denote settlements and so on.

The intermediate directions are:

1. North-West (NW)
2. North-East (NE)
3. South-West (SW)
4. South-East (SE)

Two ways to measure distance are:

1. Verbal scale or a statement
2. Representative Fraction or R.F.

Symbols are conventional and universally accepted. They are used to depict large number of features on a small map. They make it easy for the reader to read the map. Symbols are used for natural as well as man-made features and cultural features.

The source of the river is called origin of the river.

Two features of the middle course of a river are:

1. Forms meander and ox-bow lakes.
2. Many tributaries meet main river.

The fine silt brought down by the river from the mountains and by eroding its path is called alluvium.

Labelled diagram of a block mountain is shown below:

Below diagram shows anticline and syncline:

Map — A map is a representation of the Earth, or a portion of the earth drawn to scale on a flat surface.

Cardinal points — There are four directions, North, South, West and East; and they are called as the cardinal points.

Scale — Scale can be defined as a ratio between a distance measured on a map and a corresponding distance on land, connecting the two points represented by the same unit.

Legend — A list of conventional signs and symbols used in every map is called a legend.

Magnetic compass — A Magnetic compass is a device that shows the cardinal directions used for navigation and geographic orientation. It is also called Mariner's compass as it is mostly used by sailors.

Globe — A model of the earth, representing the three-dimensional spherical shape of the earth in miniature form. It is not drawn to scale.

The north direction on the map is shown with the help of an arrow.

R.F. stands for Representative Fraction.

We follow S.I. system to measure distances in India.

The conventional signs and symbols are also known as a legend.

Magnetic compass is used to find direction.

Narrow 'V' shaped valleys are found in the upper course of a river.

Anticlines and synclines are formed due to compression force.

Deltas are found in the lower course of a river.

Vosges is an example of block mountain.

A map is more accurate than a globe because it is drawn to the scale on a flat surface and thus provides more precise information as compared to the globe.

A verbal scale is expressed in words, e.g. 1 cm on map represents 50 km on the ground. It is not popular as it does not provide accurate measurement. A linear scale represents the relationship between a particular distance on the map and the actual distance on the Earth. It is drawn according to the statement in such a way that the distance can be calculated most accurately on the map.

Pole star is useful in finding directions because it always points towards North and is always visible in the sky.

distance

NSEW

graphic scale

Mariner's compass

universally accepted

fold mountains

lower course of a river

faulting

perennial lined well

cadastral map

meander

unmetalled road

linear scale

Thematic map

block mountain

Pole Star

Cartography