Mapwork notes
[Link] Position
On a map we can find the exact or accurate position of an are of spot using
longitude and latitude .The spot where both bisect is regarded as the point we are
looking for. We must know that Each degree ()of a longitude and latitude can be
divided into 60 minutes(') and the minutes can be divided into seconds(").This
subdivision enables us to determine the position of any place or object very
accurately.
**How to find a place on map
Find the center of the 2 degrees to have the 30"(sec) and find the center of that
30" and 0" sec using a ruler to have accurate positions
Latitude is an angular distance south(or north) of the equator
Longitude is an angular distance west (or east) of the prime (Greenwich)
meridian
Start with the latitude
Add symbols
Add the Direction at the end of each degree e.g N(north)
,S(south),E(east),W(west)
[Link] Position
Direction and bearing is a way of telling where Positition A is in relation to Position B
e.g where is the direction of Shoprite from(In relation to) the bus station.
Direction
When we refer to direction we use compass points like (North,South,East & West)
to describe the general direction from one feature to another
Example: ***"Shoprite is north from my position"
Bearing
Bearing is more exact ,it is measured in degrees(using a protractor) starting at 0 -
360 degrees from true north(0) and it increases clock wise.
True Bearing
True bearing is measured relative to the true north line (on the map).It starts at the
line of latitude from true north and increases clock-wise.
How to measure on a map
Align your protractor an face the ) degree to the lines of latitude
Make a line using a pencil from true north to south
Make a line from the point of reference(place) to the other point and measure the
angle
The angle you get is your true bearing
Magnetic Bearing
Magnetic bearing is measured relative to the Magnetic North Line .Remember
South Africa's Magnetic north lies west of true north .
The difference between true north and magnetic north is called Magnetic
Declination ,every year the magnetic declination increases by 8 . Magnetic
declination is always given on topographic maps
How to calculate True bearing and magnetic bearing
The magnetic declination is always given on topographic maps.
Formulas
−True bearing = Magnetic bearing - Magnetic declination
−Magnetic Bearing = True bearing + Magnetic declination
[Link] and distance
scale
Map scale is the relationship between map distance and corresponding distance on
the ground.
Remember that the ground is larger than a A2 paper so the is a scale given to make
sure that all the details and accurate like distance between building and length of
roads etc...
These are the different ways map scales are stated or given
Type of scale How it is given
Word scale One centimetre represents 500 metres
Ratio scale 1:50,000 and 1:10,000
Line scale
Converting map distance to ground
distance
On 1:50 000 map
Use a ruler and measure the distance from point A to point B e.g 7.4 cm
You multiply by the following to get different Measurements
!!!Memorize this table You will thank your self later!!!
Measurement Number Reason
Cm 1 1x1
M 100 1x100
Km 100,000 100x1000
Calculations:KM
Ruller distance×Map scale
MD =
M easurement
7,4cm×50,000
MD =
100000
M D = 3, 7Km
Calculation:M
Ruller distance×Map scale
MD =
M easurement
7,4cm×50,000
MD =
100
M D = 3700m
On a 1:10 000 map
Use a ruler and measure the distance from point A to point B e.g 9,3 cm
You multiply by the following to get different Measurements
Measurement Number Reason
Cm 1 1x1
M 100 1x100
Km 100,000 100x1000
Calculations : Kilometre
Ruller distance×Map scale
MD =
M easurement
9,3cm×10,000
MD =
100000
M D = 0.93Km
Calculations : Metre
Ruller distance×Map scale
MD =
M easurement
9,3cm×10,000
MD =
100
M D = 930m
[Link]
To calculate map area we use the mathematical formulas to find our area but we
have a procedure we have to follow since we only have a map not the actual
distances in real world.
1. Find the measurements
2. Convert them to km
3. Use the Mathematical formula to find the area
Rectangular Land
To calculate the area we must first measure the length and the breath of the land
using a ruler.
Convert our ruler measurements to Ground Distance with kilometers
Use the mathematical forma Area = Length × Breath
Example
The dimensions that we measured are 5.6 wide and 7,2 cm long ([Link] the
measurements)
Calculations
Area = L × B
=
Ruller distance×Map scale
M easurement
×
Ruller distance×Map scale
M easurement
(2. Convert them to KM)
5,6cm×50,000 7,2cm×50,000
= ×
100000 100000
= 2, 8km × 3, 6km ([Link] the formula)
2
Area = 10.8km
!!!Answer with the correct unit!!!
Triangular land
To calculate the area we must first measure the length and the breath of the land
using a ruler.
Convert our ruler measurements to Ground Distance with kilometers
Use the mathematical forma Area = 1
2
(base × perpendicularheight)
Example
The dimensions that we measured are 5.6 wide and 7,2 cm long ([Link] the
measurements)
Calculations
= (7, 2 × 0, 5) (5, 6 × 0, 5) ([Link] to km)
= 3.6km 2.8km
Area =
1
2
(3.6 × 2.8) ([Link] the formula)
2
= 5, 04km
!!!Answer with the correct unit!!!
Irregular shaped land
use a string!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[Link]
vertical difference(VD) =Bigger height - lowest height
Horizontal Distance(HD)= Distance between the 2 objects(converted from cm to
m/Km)
VI
G =
HE
1366−1027
= 1,7cm×50000
100
296,7
=
850
=
1
950÷296.7
here we multiply the bottom number with the number on top
1
=
3.2
∴ 1 : 3.2
[Link] index