CHAPTER TWO (2): MAP READING
2.1. DEFINITIONS OF A MAP, PLAN AND PICTURE
Map is a representation of the whole or part of the earth reduced in size (drawn to scale)
on a flat surface.
Map is a representation of ground features, either natural or man-made, drawn to scale
on a flat surface. E.g. Atlas map or Map of Somalia.
Map is not really a photograph of the Earth’s surface; it may show many things that a
photograph Can’t show.
Cartography is the science and arts of making maps. Anaximander is an ancient Greek
geographer and first map-maker who drew first world map.
Plan is map but a very small [Link] is drawn to scale. It is drawn to give specific
information. e.g. plan of house.
Picture is an image of a real object. It may be free-hand drawing, painting or photography
taken by camera.
DIFFRENCE B/W A MAP AND A PICTURE
A MAP A PICTURE
1. Map is viewed from upward/sky A. Picture is viewed from side.
2. Without effect of perspective B. Picture affects perspectives
3. Map has two dimensions C. Picture has three dimensions
4. Scale is used to draw D. Picture has no scale
2.2. TYPES OF MAPS
There are three types of maps and they are:
1) Sketch maps (outline maps): these are maps which are roughly drawn by hand.
They are not detailed and show only specific information which the user wants to
know.
2) Atlas map. This is the collection of many maps in one volume or one book. E.g.
world Atlas book or world Atlas Map.
3) Topographical maps: maps that show the natural and man-made features of an
area, including elevation and landforms, using contour line, shadings, colours,
abbreviations and also symbols.
These features(landforms) include plains, valleys, hills, plateaus, mountains and
many others. They measure both distance and height. Contour lines are lines on
the map that show places with the same elevation (height or altitude). Contour
lines usually with numbers indicating altitude.
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When contour lines are very close, the land is steep. When the contour lines are
far apart the land is gentle. When there are no contours on topographical maps,
the land is flat.
2.3. BASIC USES OF MAPS
The initial uses of people were to guide people with their destinations.
Today, maps have many other uses including;
1. Location. World Atlas map is used to find location of a point on the earth’s surface
using longitudes and latitudes (Geographic coordinates).
2. Distance. By using the map and map scale one can easily calculate the distance
between two points.
3. Area. Area of a natural or man-made feature like area covered by forest or by
settlement can be calculated from the accurate measurements and use of
mathematical formulae and map scale.
4. Direction. Direction and also bearing of a place from another place can be
obtained correctly from the maps.
5. Maps show the national and local political boundaries of the country.
6. Some road maps guide the people to their destination.
2.4. ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF A GOOD MAP
These are facts about the map and can be found in the margins of all maps. These
instructions provide information to the users and known as Marginal information.
1. Title. Title shows the name of an area or what the map is about.
2. Date. Date helps us to know the age of a map.
3. Scale. It shows the relationship between map distance like 1 cm and
corresponding actual distance on the ground like 5 km. so scale shows 1cm on the
map represents 5 km on the ground.
4. Map key: part of the map that shows and explains the meanings of symbols,
colours and abbreviations on the map and represent ground features.
5. Margin. It shows the boundaries of the map.
6. Compass direction. This is the indication of north direction by using an arrow to
recognize all directions of the map.
2.5. MAP SCALE
Map scale: relationship between the distance on a map and corresponding distance on a
ground. E.g. 1cm to I km or 1:100,000.
𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑀𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑀𝑎𝑝
Map Scale =
𝐺𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
2.5.1. Types of Map Scales
There are three types of map scales which are as below.
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1) Statement Scale (verbal scale). In this form, scale is expressed as words. E.g. one
centimeter on the map represents one kilometer. In short form, it is 1cm to 1km.
2) Representative Fraction Scale (R.F Scale). In this form, the distance on the map
and also the distance on the ground are both expressed as ratio or as fraction.
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Example: Ratio-form: 1:100,000. Fraction-form:
100,000
3) Linear scale (Graphic scale). In this form of scale, the relationship is shown by a
short line or long line which is sub-divided into smaller equal units. A long line has
two sides: the left-hand side of the zero is called Secondary Scale while right
hand-side is also called Primary Scale.
a) Long line linear scale:
b) Short line linear scale:
2.5.2. CONVERSION OF SCALES
One type of scale can be expressed in three ways. If you know it in one way,
you can convert into another way.
Remember
➢ 1 cm = 10 mm
➢ 1 m = 100 cm
➢ 1 km = 1000 m
➢ 1 km = 100,000 cm
Examples
1. Convert these Statement
scales into Representative
Fraction scales (R.F. Scales).
A) 1cm represents 2km.
B) 1cm represents 4km.
C) 2cm to 10km.
2. Change the following Linear scales into the statement scales.
A)
B)
3. Convert the following representative fraction scales (R.F. Scales) into statement
scales.
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A)
200,000
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B)
500,000
C) 1: 30,000
2.6. MEASURING GROUND DISTANCE FROM MAPS
On a map, distances can be either:
• Curved line distance. Distance with bends or irregular distance like distance of a
river or road measuring from map.
• Straight line distance. Regular distance with no any bends.
2.6.1. MEASURING DISTANCE ALONG STARIGHT LINE FEATURES
On a map, straight line distances can be measured from maps by using ruler and paper
edge.
Use of Ruler:
• Use a ruler to measure the length of the regular feature on the map (map distance)
in centimeter.
• Multiply it by the ground distance of the scale.
• The actual length on the ground must be m, km or miles etc.
Example
Find the actual ground distance between X and Y using ruler and map scale.
Y
4CM
X
1: 2500,000
Given
• X to Y = 4 cm on a map
• Map scale= 1: 2500 000
• Actual Ground Distance.
Solution
2500 000
• = 25 km
100,000
•
• X = 4 x 25 km= 100km
Example 2
Find the map distance between D and C on the map.
D
40km
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1:200,000
Given
• Ground distance between C and D = 40km
• Scale = 1cm to 2 km
• Map Distance:
2.6.2. MEASURING DISTANCE ALONG IRRIGULAR FEATURES
To measure the distance on the map of an irregular feature like roads, rivers, coasts etc
and use map scale and methods like piece of thread and pair of dividers.
a) Using Piece of Thread
I) Mark one end the piece of cotton thread.
II) Place and hold the marked end of thread at the starting point of an irregular feature on
map.
III) Lay the piece of thread along an irregular feature following every bending up to the
final point.
IV) Mark the piece of thread at the final position.
V) Straighten the piece of thread and hold it by measuring with a ruler.
Example 1
Measure the distance of river between A and B on the map and change it into the real
ground distance using map scale of 1:200 000.
Answer
Given
• Map scale = 7cm
• Map scale = 1cm to 2 km
• GD;
GD = Scale x MD
2 km x 7 = 14 km, so that, if a river distance on a map is 7cm, the actual ground
distance is 14 km when scale is 1:200,000.
b) Measurement of distances using a piece of paper
A piece of paper can also be used to measure straight and irregular (curved, bent)
distances
Measuring straight distances
Procedures
⦁ Locate the distance to be measured on the map and mark its two ends as A and B using
a sharp pencil.
⦁ Take a piece of paper, fold it to form a straight edge and lay the edge along the line AB
and mark the exact length of the line on the edge of the paper as shown in the figure
below.
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⦁ Transfer the paper to a linear scale (or ruler) as indicated in the figure below so that the
left-hand mark (A) is on 0 (zero).
⦁ Use the provided scale to estimate the actual ground distance.
2.7. MEASURING AREAS FROM THE MAP
Keep in mind the following points before measuring the area:
1) Areas are stated in square units (M2, KM2, etc.).
2) To work out areas we need such as dimensions as length, breadth, radius, etc.
Areas of Geographical features may be regular and irregular shapes
2.7.1. FINDING GROUND AREAS OF REGULAR SHAPES
Areas which include circle, rectangle, triangle and square are man-made features and
easily calculated by using their mathematical formula.
REGULAR SHAPED AREAS MATHEMATICAL FORMULAE
Square A = S2, A is area and S is Side
Rectangle A=LXW
Right angle triangle ½ BH
Circle 𝐴 = 𝜋𝑟 2
Example 1
Find the areas of this rectangle and Square on a map.
Answers
1. Convert scale into statement= 1cm to 5 km
2. Find the actual length on the ground,
If 1cm to 5km
20 cm L
L= 20 x 5km= 100km
4. Area of Rectangle= Length X Width
A = L x W = 100 km x 20 km= 2000 km2
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2.7.2. CALCULATING GROUND AREAS OF IRREGULAR SHAPES
These irregular shapes may include Lakes, Forests, Plantations, Settlements etc.
Grid square method
If the map provided has grid lines, the grid square method can be used to calculate the
area on the map. The grid squares formed by the lines are used in this case. For example,
in a topographical map of scale 1:50,000 the distance between two successive grid lines
is 2 cm. This length is equivalent to 1 km on the ground. Therefore, every grid square on
a 1:50,000 map represents 1 km2 on the ground. Consider the diagram below: