A map is a drawing of the earth's surface, or a part of it, on a flat sheet of paper. While a globe shows the whole earth, a map can show the whole earth or just a small part of it in great detail. Maps are one of the most important tools for a geographer, a traveller, a pilot or a sailor.
A map is not a photograph. A photograph of a place shows everything exactly as it is, but a map uses signs, symbols and colours to show only selected information. Maps are made to a certain scale, which shows the relationship between the distance on the map and the actual distance on the ground.
In this chapter, we will learn about the different types of maps, the components of a map, the scale, the signs and symbols used on maps, and how maps help us in our daily life.
Maps are of many types, depending on what they are used for:
A good map has certain essential components without which it is not complete:
A map without a scale, direction or symbols is incomplete and cannot be used properly.
The scale of a map is the ratio between the distance on the map and the actual distance on the ground. For example, a scale of 1 cm = 100 km means that 1 centimetre on the map represents 100 kilometres on the ground.
A small scale map shows a large area, like the whole country or the whole world, with less detail. A large scale map shows a small area, like a city or a village, with more detail. Maps are drawn to different scales, and without the scale it is impossible to measure real distances from a map.
Directions are essential for using a map. The four cardinal directions are: North (N), South (S), East (E) and West (W).
The intermediate directions are: North-East (NE), North-West (NW), South-East (SE) and South-West (SW). On a map, the top is generally the North, unless an arrow shows otherwise. The compass rose is a figure on the map that shows all the directions, helping the reader to find their way.
A compass is an instrument that always points towards the north. It has a magnetic needle that is free to rotate and always aligns itself with the earth's magnetic field, pointing to the North Pole.
Using a compass, travellers, sailors and pilots can find out the direction in which they are moving, even if they cannot see the sun or the stars. The compass is therefore an essential tool for navigation, along with the map.
It is impossible to show all the features of the earth on a small map, so maps use symbols. Symbols are signs and colours used to represent different features:
The information about the symbols used on a map is given in the legend or key, which is a small box usually in a corner of the map.
The legend (or key) of a map is the box that explains the symbols and colours used on the map. Without the legend, we cannot understand what the symbols mean.
For example, if a map uses a red line to show a road and a blue line to show a river, the legend will explain this. The legend makes the map self-explanatory and helps anyone to read the map, regardless of the language used.
Maps are made by cartographers – people who specialise in making maps. They use the latest technology to make accurate maps.
Earlier, maps were made by surveying the land and drawing the features by hand. Today, maps are made with the help of satellites and computers. The maps made by satellites are called satellite images. Technology has made maps more accurate and easier to update. Map-making has also become digital, so maps can now be seen on phones and computers and can be updated instantly.
Maps are very important in our daily life:
The use of maps makes travel easy and helps us to understand our world better.
| Type of Map | What It Shows |
|---|---|
| Physical map | Natural features like mountains, rivers, plains |
| Political map | Boundaries of countries, states, cities |
| Thematic map | Specific information like rainfall or population |
| Colour | Feature |
|---|---|
| Blue | Water bodies - rivers, lakes, oceans |
| Green | Plains and forests |
| Yellow | Plateaus |
| Brown | Mountains and hills |
Maps are indispensable tools for understanding the world. They show us the physical features, political boundaries and special information about any part of the earth. Unlike a globe, a map can show a small area in great detail, and it can be easily carried and used.
A good map has a scale, directions and symbols explained in a legend. The compass helps us to find our direction, and colours and conventional symbols make maps readable all over the world. With the help of modern satellites and computers, maps have become more accurate and easy to use. Whether we are travelling, planning a city or studying the climate, maps make our world smaller and more understandable.