A large scale map is where the RF is relatively large. A 1:1200 map is therefore larger scale than a 1:1,000,000 map….1. Types of Map Scales.

Map Scale Equivalents

One inch is equivalent to fifteen miles. Given this comparison in regards to scale, 9 inches would simply be 9 times that. In basic terms, 9 times or inches multiplied by each fifteen mile increment would be stated as 9 inches x 15 miles, resulting in a 135 mile distance between the two cities.

To work out the distance in real life, we need to multiply this length by 50000. This gives 3 cm × 50000 = 150000 cm which is 1500 m or 1.5 km. Alternatively, we could have just remembered that each 1 cm on the map is 0.5 km in real life. Hence, 3 cm on the map must be 3 × 0.5 km = 1.5 km in real life.

The scale on a map is the ratio between real life sizes and how many times it has been shrunk to fit it on the map. On a 1:50,000 scale map, 1 cm on the map represents 50,000 cm on the ground (= 500 m or 0.5 km).

There is a standard ratio format for map scales e.g. “1: 25,000”. The first number is the unit on the map and the second number is the distance in real life of the same unit so 1: 25,000 means that 1cm on the map corresponds to 25,000 cm on the ground.

Definition: A key or legend is a list of symbols that appear on the map. For example, a church on the map may appear as a cross, a cross attached to a circle, a cross attached to a square. Symbols and colours can also represent different things like roads, rivers and land height.

Scale on a map is important in order to give the map reader a sense of size. That’s information you need in order to interpret a distance you see (say, about a centimeter on the map) to the distance is represents (about 25,000 cm, or 1/4 km in real life, if the map scale is 1:25,000).

The main difference between Map and Picture is that the Map is a visual representation of an area and Picture is a artifact that depicts or records visual perception. A map is a symbolic depiction emphasizing relationships between elements of some space, such as objects, regions, or themes.

All maps have distortions because it is impossible to represent a three-dimensional objects like the earth accurately on flat maps. Maps with no scale give a poor idea of distances and maps with no legend are frequently confusing to the user.

There are three Components of Maps – distance, direction and symbol.

They are- title, direction, legend(symbols), north areas, distance(scale), labels, grids and index, citation – which make it easier for people like us to understand the basic components of maps.

Terms in this set (4)

• Title. tells you what the map is about.
• Map Key/Legend. explains the lines symbols, and colors used on a map.
• Scale Bar. a measuring line that help you find distance on the map.
• Compass Rose. tells you where the north, south, east, and west are on a map.

Most maps will have the five following things: a Title, a Legend, a Grid, a Compass Rose to indicate direction, and a Scale.

Map Elements. Most maps contain the same common elements: main body, legend, title, scale and orientation indicators, inset map, and source notes. Not all are necessary or appropriate for every map, but all appear frequently enough that they’re worth covering.

Some common features of maps include scale, symbols, and grids.

• Scale. All maps are scale models of reality.
• Symbols. Cartographers use symbols to represent geographic features.
• Grids.
• Other Map Features: DOGSTAILS.
• Map Projections.
• Surveying and Remote Sensing.
• How Maps Are Made.
• Types of Maps.

A good map establishes a visual hierarchy that ensures that the most important elements are at the top of this hierarchy and the least important are at the bottom. Typically, the top elements should consist of the main map body, the title (if this is a standalone map) and a legend (when appropriate).

Data Frame

Maps and plans show the distance between places or objects accurately, through using a map. scale. • They can be drawn at different levels of detail: from the positions of objects in a room. (a plan) to the location of countries, continents and oceans in the world (a world map).

A scale bar is missing, as well as a North arrow. The symbols, lines and points in the map do not have a legend for the viewer to understand what they represent. There are also too many red-brown points which make it difficult for the reader to see the map clearly, as many symbols overlap.