Maps and Map Reading

SCALE & DISTANCE The scale of the map can be shown in three different ways: Words: 1 centimetre represents 1 kilometre on the ground. Linear:

SCALE & DISTANCE 1:100 000 Ratio: 1 means one unit measured on the map : means represents 100 000 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.

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

LOCATING PLACES WITH AN AREA REFERENCE An area reference identifies one square in the grid and is made up of four numbers. Square A Line on left 21 Line along base 45 Area Reference (AR) 2145

LOCATING PLACES WITH A GRID REFERENCE A grid reference pinpoints a specific place within a grid square and is made up of six 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 21 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. 5 Go back to the bottom left corner of the square * Record the two numbers on the line along the base of the square 45 Estimate how far up the square point A is located. Half-way is 5 out of 10 5 The GR is 215455

Border Orientation Legend Title Scale SYMBOLS & LEGEND Not every feature 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 ISLAND

RELIEF spot height - a dot with the height in metres next to it Relief is the 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: spot height - a dot with the height in metres next to it contour line - a line with the height marked on it. All places on a contour line are the same height above sea level Shading - from lighter to darker for each different layer of height from lower to higher.