Maps, their types and ICT tools
When going to an unknown village we look at a map on the mobile and find the road. A map is a small plan of the Earth or its part drawn on paper, which helps understand a distant place at a glance.
A map is a picture of the Earth drawn on a flat surface using conventional signs, directions, a legend and a scale. After fixing a place on the globe, a map is prepared using signs and symbols.
Key idea 1 : Types of maps — Physical maps are based on natural features like mountains, plateaus, plains and rivers. Political maps show human-made things like countries, boundaries and capitals. Thematic maps are on a particular theme like soils, vegetation, climate, transport, tourism.
Key idea 2 : ICT tools in Geography — Remote sensing, satellite images, drones, digital maps and online mapping, positioning system (GPS), statistical records and educational websites-apps are modern tools. They are used for observation, natural hazard management and finding locations.
Key idea 3 : What to see while reading a map — While reading a map first see the title and legend, then identify the north direction. Then see latitude-longitude, rivers, roads, railways, cities and in which direction the land slopes.
- Easy : A map showing mountains and rivers — physical.
- Medium : A map of countries and capitals — political.
- Exam-type : A map of rainfall distribution — thematic.
In the figure: Types of maps and tools.
Ph-Po-Th.
A satellite image is not a map; it is an actual picture, from which a map is prepared.
Memory clue: Physical = nature; political = borders; thematic = theme. Memory clue: "Nature, border, theme".
Spot the difference
| Type | What it shows | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Physical | Natural features | Mountain map |
| Political | Human-made borders | Political map of India |
| Thematic | One theme | Soil map |
Practice questions
- 1What is a map?
- 2State three types of maps.
- 3Write the difference between physical and political maps.
- 4Give two examples of thematic maps.
- 5Which ICT tools are useful for learning Geography?
- 6What should be seen first while reading a map?
- 7What is the difference between a satellite image and a map?
- 8Look at a map of your district and tell its type.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1A flat picture of the Earth drawn with signs, direction, legend and scale.
- 2Physical, political, thematic.
- 3Physical: nature; political: human-made borders and capitals.
- 4Soil map, vegetation map.
- 5Satellite images, drones, GPS, digital maps.
- 6Title, legend and north direction.
- 7Image is an actual picture; map is a plan made using symbols.
- 8Student writes own.
Elements of a map and conventional signs
To understand the rules of an unknown game we read the marks and instructions. In a map too, once we read the title, direction, scale and signs, the map is easily understood.
Elements of a map are title, subtitle, scale, north arrow, legend (conventional signs) and latitude-longitude. These elements help read a map correctly, find direction and distance, and check information.
Key idea 1 : Elements of a map — The title tells what the map is about. The north arrow shows direction. The scale is for finding distance. The legend gives meanings of signs. Latitude-longitude tells the position of a place.
Key idea 2 : Conventional signs — As space is less in a map, things like port, pass, city, river, capital, coal mine, lighthouse and contours are shown by fixed signs. These signs are broadly similar all over the world and are given in the legend of the map.
Key idea 3 : Reading latitude-longitude — The latitudinal extent of an area means the latitudes of its northern and southern ends; the longitudinal extent means the longitudes of its eastern and western ends. Read them as degrees, minutes and seconds: e.g. 15°36′ North means fifteen degrees thirty-six minutes North.
- Easy : What does the title in a map tell? — What the map is about.
- Medium : Where are meanings of signs found? — In the legend.
- Exam-type : Latitudinal extent of Maharashtra = 22°02′ − 15°36′ = 6°26′.
In the figure: Main elements of a map.
The extent of Maharashtra is given as about 15°36′ N to 22°02′ N latitude and 72°36′ E to 80°54′ E longitude; some sources show a small difference in minutes (as per several sources; check with the book).
Ti-No-Sc-Le.
Signs are not exactly the same in every map; so always look at the legend.
Memory clue: Map reading = title + direction + scale + legend. Memory clue: "Ti-No-Sc-Le".
Spot the difference
| Element | Work | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Tells the subject | Maharashtra – rivers |
| North arrow | Shows direction | An upward arrow |
| Legend | Meanings of signs | Sign of a port |
Practice questions
- 1Write five elements of a map.
- 2What is the use of a legend?
- 3Why are signs used in a map?
- 4Draw the signs of a port, river and city.
- 5What is latitudinal extent?
- 6What is the latitudinal extent of an area from 18°05′ N to 21°40′ N?
- 7What is the longitudinal extent of an area from 73°10′ E to 79°45′ E?
- 8Draw a simple map of your school with signs.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Title, subtitle, scale, north arrow, legend.
- 2Meanings of signs are understood.
- 3Space is less and the map must be simple.
- 4Student draws as per the legend.
- 5The difference between latitudes of the north and south ends.
- 621°40′ − 18°05′ = 3°35′.
- 779°45′ − 73°10′ = 6°35′.
- 8Student draws own.
Map scale
When drawing a school map on paper we show a 50 m long ground by a 5 cm line. Such a fixed relation between distance on the map and on the ground is the scale.
Scale is the relation between distance on the map and actual distance on the ground. Three main types: statement scale (in words), numerical scale (e.g. 1:100,000) and graphical scale (scale bar).
Key idea 1 : Three types of scale — A statement scale is written as ‘1 cm = 1 km’. In the numerical scale 1:100,000 means 1 unit on the map = 100,000 of the same unit on the ground. In the graphical scale a scale bar is drawn and it stays correct even if the map is enlarged or reduced.
Key idea 2 : Converting the scale — 1:100,000 means 1 cm = 100,000 cm = 1 km. So if the map shows 4 cm the ground is 4 km. 1:50,000 means 1 cm = 500 m; 6 cm on the map means 3,000 m = 3 km.
Key idea 3 : Large and small scale — In a large-scale map (e.g. 1:10,000) a small area is shown in more detail. In a small-scale map (e.g. 1:100 million) a large area appears in less detail. A school map is on a large scale and a world map on a small scale.
- Easy : At 1:100,000, 3 cm = 3 km.
- Medium : At 1:50,000, 4 cm = 2 km.
- Exam-type : At scale 1 cm = 2 km, 5 cm = 10 km.
In the figure: Three types of map scale.
1:100,000 → 1 cm = 1 km.
1:100,000 does not mean 1 cm = 1 metre; 100,000 cm = 1 km so 1 cm = 1 km.
Memory clue: Cut 5 zeros and cm becomes km. Memory clue: "Cut five zeros, get km".
Spot the difference
| Scale | 1 cm = ? | 5 cm = ? |
|---|---|---|
| 1:100,000 | 1 km | 5 km |
| 1:50,000 | 500 m | 2.5 km |
| 1:200,000 | 2 km | 10 km |
Practice questions
- 1What is scale?
- 2State the three types of scale.
- 3At 1:100,000 what does 1 cm mean on the ground?
- 4At 1:50,000 what is 8 cm on the map on the ground?
- 5If 1 cm = 5 km, how many cm on the map for 12 km?
- 6Write the difference between large and small scale maps.
- 7Why is the graphical scale convenient?
- 8Measure the length of your classroom and write it in all three scales.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Relation between map distance and actual distance.
- 2Statement, numerical, graphical.
- 31 km.
- 48 × 500 m = 4,000 m = 4 km.
- 512 ÷ 5 = 2.4 cm.
- 6Large: small area, more detail; small: large area, less detail.
- 7The scale bar stays correct even if the map is enlarged or reduced.
- 8Student measures and writes own.
Graphs and field visit
If in school we write the temperature of a week, the numbers are hard to read; but if we draw a graph, we see in the picture at once which day is more and which is less.
A graph presents numbers as a picture using lines or columns. A field visit is visiting a selected geographic place to study its geographic and cultural elements.
Key idea 1 : Types of graphs — A simple line graph compares only one variable. A line graph shows change over time. A multiple line graph compares two or more variables on one graph, e.g. minimum and maximum temperature. Besides these, bar graph, divided bar graph and pie chart are also important types.
Key idea 2 : Reading a graph — While reading a graph first see the title and both axes; then see the scale (e.g. 1 cm = 10 mm). Then find the highest and lowest points and calculate the difference between two points.
Key idea 3 : Types and planning of a field visit — Visit places may be educational (library, science centre), scenic (coast, waterfall), historical (fort, museum), religious, cultural, social, industrial or recreational. Planning means fixing the objective, choosing the place, taking prior permission, arranging transport, schedule and materials. Afterwards a report based on observation should be written.
- Easy : Comparison of one variable — simple line graph.
- Medium : Minimum and maximum temperature together — multiple line graph.
- Exam-type : Visit to a fort — historical field visit.
In the figure: Graphs and field visit.
One = simple, two = multiple, compare = bar.
If the scale is changed while drawing a graph the picture looks wrong; keep a uniform scale on both axes.
Memory clue: Graph = picture of numbers. Memory clue: "One line, one variable; two lines, two variables".
Spot the difference
| Graph | For what | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Simple line | One variable | Daily temperature |
| Multiple line | Comparing variables | Min-max temperature |
| Bar graph | Comparison by bars | Daily rainfall |
Practice questions
- 1What is a graph?
- 2When is a multiple line graph used?
- 3Which four things should be seen while reading a graph?
- 4For a week’s rainfall figures (5, 0, 12, 8, 0, 20, 3 mm) which graph is suitable? Draw it.
- 5In the above figures on which day was rain highest and by how much more than the lowest?
- 6How will you prepare for a field visit?
- 7Write any four types of field visits.
- 8Record minimum-maximum temperature on the school campus and draw a multiple line graph.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Picture presentation of numbers with lines or columns.
- 2When two or more variables are to be compared.
- 3Title, axes, scale, highest-lowest points.
- 4A bar graph is suitable; student draws it.
- 5The sixth day with 20 mm; 20 − 0 = 20 mm more.
- 6Aim, place, permission, transport, schedule, materials.
- 7Educational, scenic, historical, industrial, etc.
- 8Student records and draws own.