We have learnt in the previous chapter about

the

advantages

of

a

globe.

However,

globe

has

limitations as well. A globe can be useful when we want

to study the earth as a whole. But, when we want to

study only the part of earth, as about our country,

states, districts,

towns & villages, it is of little help. In

such situation we use maps.

A map

is a representation or a drawing of

the earth’s surface according

to

a scale. But it’s

impossible to f latten a round shape completely. We

find that maps are useful to us for various purposes.

One map shows a small area and a few facts. Another

map may contain as many facts as a big book. When

many maps are put together we get an Atlas book.

Atlases are of different sizes, measurements drawn on

different scales. Maps provide more information than

the globe. They are of different types. Some of them

are described below:

Physical Map

Maps showing natural features of the

earth

such

as

Mountain,

Plateaus,

Plains, Oceans, Rivers etc. are called

PHYSICAL or RELIEF MAP.

POLITICAL Map

Maps showing cities, towns &

villages

&

different countries & states of the world

with

there

boundaries

POLITICAL MAP.

are

called

Thematic Map

Some map focus on specific information;

such as road map, rainfall maps, maps

showing distribution of forest, industries

etc. are known as THEMATIC MAP.

SKETCH

A

SKETCH

is

a

drawing

mainly based on memory

and spot observation and

not to scale. Sometimes a

rough drawing is required

of an area to tell where a

particular place is located

with

respect

to

others

places. Supposes, you want

go to your friend’s house,

but

you don’t

know

the

way. Your friend will make

a rough drawing to show

the way to his/her house.

Such a rough drawing is

drawing is drawn without

the

scale,

SKETCH

&

is

called

a

MAP.

plan

A PLAN is a drawing of a

small area on a large scale. A

large scale map gives lots of

information,

but

they

are

certain things which we may

sometimes

want

to

know

sometime. For example the

length & breadth of a room,

which can’t be shown in the

map. At that time, we can

refer

drawings

drawn

scale is called a PLAN

to

.

Distance

There are THREE types of COMPONENTS OF MAPS .

They Are: -

DIRECTION

SYMBOL

Exit

Maps are drawing which reduce the entire world or a part of it to fit

on a sheet of paper. Or we can say maps are drawn to reduced scale. But this

reduction is done very carefully so that the distance between the places is real.

It can only be possible when a small distance on paper represents a large

distance on ground. Therefore, a scale is chosen for this purpose. Scale is the

ratio between the actual distance on the ground and the distance shown on the

map. For example, the distance between your school and your home is 10 Km.

If you show this 10 Km. distance by 2 Cm on a map, it means 1 Cm is 5 Km on

the ground. The scale your drawing will be, 1 Cm. is equal to 5 Km. Thus, scale

is very important in any map. If you know the scale, you will be able to

calculate the distance between any two place on a map.

When Large areas like continent or countries are to be shown on a

paper, then we use small scale. For example 5 Cm. on the map shows 500 Km.

of the ground. It is called a SMALL SCALE MAP.

When a small area like village or town is to be shown on paper, then a

use a large scale, i.e. 5 Cm on the map shows 500 Meter Only on the ground. It

is called LARGE SCALE MAP.

Large Scale Maps give us more information than Small Scale Map.

Distance

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DIRECTION

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Most maps content an arrow mark with the letter ‘N’ at the upper

right hand corner. This arrow shows the North Direction. It is called the North

Line. When you know the North, you can find out other directions, for

example East, West and South. There are major directions, North, South, East

and West. They are called CARDINAL POINTS.

directions are North-East (NE), South-East (SE),

Other four intermediate

North-West (NW) and

South-West (SW). We can locate any place more accurately with the help of

these Intermediate Directions.

We can find out the direction of a place with the help of Compass. It

is an instrument used to find out Main Directions. Its magnetic needle always

point towards North and South Directions.

SYMBOL

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It is the third important component of a map. It is not possible to

draw on a map the actual shape and size of different features such as buildings,

roads, bridges, trees, railway lines or a well. So, they are shown by certain

letters, shades, colours, pictures and lines . These symbols give a lot of

information in a limited space. With the use of these symbols, maps can be

drawn easily and are simple to read. Even if you don’t know the language of an

area

and therefore cannot ask someone for directions , you can collect

information from maps with the help of these symbols. Maps have a universal

language that can be understood by all. There is an international agreement

regarding the use of these symbols. These are called CONVENTIONAL

SYMBOLS.

Various colours are used for this purpose. For example, generally blue

is used for showing water bodies, brown for mountain, yellow for plateau and

green is used for plains.

Click Here for some Symbols

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