Reading Maps

 *Reading Maps*

1) What is thematic maps?

-Maps depicting specific themes (subjects) are known as thematic maps.

Example:-

River map,

Road map,

Soil map,

Physiographical map

2) What are classification of maps based on its function?

> Based on function, maps can be classified into two. They are

 -Physical maps

-Cultural maps

3) What is Physical maps?

Maps representing natural features are called physical maps.

 Example:-

• Soil map

• Climatic map

• Natural vegetation map

• Astronomical map

• Weather map

• Physiography map

4) What is Cultural maps?

Maps representing man-made features are called cultural maps.

Example:-

• Political map

• Agricultural map

• Industrial map

• Military map

• Land use map

• Historical map

5) What is small scale maps, explain the features of small scale maps.

Maps showing only the important information of larger areas are called small

scale maps.

> Larger areas such as the world, continents, countries, and states are to be

depicted in a small scale maps.

> Only a little information can be depicted in a small scale maps.

6) What is large scale maps, explain the features of large scale maps.

Maps representing detailed information of a small area are called large

scale maps.

> More information can be included in large scale maps.

7) What are three different methods to show the scale in the maps

a)  *Statement of scale*

  _features_

> 1 cm to 5 km. This method of representing the scale is the statement of scale.

> Easy to understand.

> From this we can easily understand that one centimetre on the map represents

5 km on earth.

> The merit of this method is that even a layman can easily understand this.

  b)  *Representative fraction*

 _features_

> Representative fraction is the ratio between the map distance and

corresponding ground distance expressed in fractional form.

> The statement of scale 1cm to 5 kilometres, can be represented as 1:500000 in

 representative fraction.

> This proportionate distance can be read in accordance with the units followed

in each country.

> The units used for measuring distance are different in different countries.

> In India we follow centimetre, metre, kilometre, etc.  whereas units like inch,

mile, and furlong are followed in the European countries.

> So the people of other countries can ease to interpret the maps prepared on

Indian units.

C)  *Linear scale*

  _features_

> When a map is subjected to enlargement or reduction, the linear scale will

also change accordingly.

> This is the merit of linear scale.

8) How to measure distances on a maps?

> To measure straight distance, a ruler can be used.

> If it is a curved distance such as a river or a curved path, first measure the

distance using a thread and then measure the length of the thread

> Then the map distance should be multiplied with the proportionate ground

distance shown in the map scale

> Suppose the scale of the map is 1cm to 5km and the distance from place A to

B in the map is 5 cm. The actual distance from A to B = 5 x5km =25km

9) What should be done to find the actual distances?

> The map distance should be multiplied with the proportionate ground distance 

shown in the map scale

?  Scale of the map is 1cm to 10km. Suppose the distance from A to B in the map 

is 5 cm.

# Then the actual distance from A to B = 5 x10km =50km