BISHOP COTTON BOYS’ SCHOOL, BENGALURU
CLASS: 8 SUBJECT: GEOGRAPHY
Representation of Geographical Features
Map: A map is a representation of any area of the earth on a flat surface according to
the given scale.
The three ways of indicting the scale of a map are:
1. By a statement
2. By a graduated straight line/ linear scale / graphic scale
3. By the Representative Fraction (RF)
Large scale Maps: The maps in which a small area of the land is represented in detail
on a large space. Ex: Topographical maps
Small Scale Maps: The maps in which a large area of the land is represented without
much details on a small space. Ex: World map, Maps of Continents.
Topographic maps: A large scale maps showing both man-made and natural features
like water bodies, dams, roads, forest.
Eastings: The vertical lines drawn from north to south on a topographic map.
Northings: The horizontal lines drawn from east to west on topographic map.
Spot Height: The height of any particular point above the sea level is called a spot
height. It is represented by a black dot marking followed by the height of the spot.
Ex: 374
Contours: The imaginary lines joining the places which have the same height above the
sea level.
Closely spaced contours indicates the steep slope of the land.
Contours spaced apart indicated the gentle slope of the land.
Plateau: A plateau is a high land with an almost flat top and steep slopes on one or
more sides.
Ridge: A ridge is a long, narrow, steep-sided highland.
Col: A lowland formed between the ridges of a watershed.
Gap: A low depression close to the ground formed between a range of hills.
Saddle: A shallow depression formed between two peaks of a ridge.
Pass: A lowland formed between two hills or mountains which serves as a land route
across the mountain range.
Colours used in Topographic Maps:
Red : to represent roads and buildings
Green : to represent forested areas
Yellow : to represent cultivated lands
White : to represent uncultivated lands
Blue : to represent all types of water bodies
Black : to represent dry water bodies, grid numbers,
boundaries, railway tracks, lines of latitudes and
longitudes.
Brown : to represent contours
Types of Settlement:
Settlement: Any kind of dwelling where people live.
Plains: Plains are flat land and densely populated regions of the world. This is due to:
a) Fertile soil, ample water and moderate climate encourages the agricultural and
other various economic activities.
b) Plains have flat land which is easier to build houses, construction of roads and
railways promoting transport and communication thus serves as a best site for
settlements.
c) People generally settle, where it is easy to earn living such as industries and
mines, where they have better employment opportunities.
Temporary Settlement: Settlements that are occupied for a short time and then
abandoned permanently or a long period.
Ex: The cave dwellings of early people
Permanent Settlement: Settlements that are not abandoned and remain continuously in
use for many years.
Ex: The settlements around us.
Rural Settlement: Rural settlements are not very large and the amenities such as roads,
schools, health-care services are not well developed. Most of the people in the rural
settlements are engaged in agricultural activities like fishing and forestry.
Urban Settlement: Urban settlements larger than rural settlements and the amenities
such as roads, schools, health-care services are well developed. Most of the people in
the urban settlements are engaged in non-agricultural activities like manufacturing and
trading.
Settlement Patterns:
1. Nucleated or compact settlement: A settlement in which buildings are located very
close to each other especially settlements near plains, place of worship are called as
nucleated settlement.
2. Dispersed or scattered settlement: A settlement in which buildings are located far
apart especially in the mountainous or densely forested regions are called as dispersed
or scattered settlement.
3. Linear settlement: A settlement in which buildings are located in a line especially
along a road or a river or along the shore of a lake are called as nucleated settlement.
Conventional Symbols: