Map Reading
Class 7 | Social Science — Geography | Unit 2
Class 7 Unit 2 Geography
Map Reading
Learning Objectives
- To know about the maps and scale
- To identify the various types of maps
- To understand the elements of maps
- To learn the legend and signs and symbols
Introduction
Reading of maps will give clear understanding of geographical location, physiographic features like mountains, plateaus and plains, water features river, lake, ocean etcetera., and cultural features, such as roads, settlement etc., The maps are meant to be the preserving records of the past which will helps us to understand the past and perceive the future. Maps portraits political boundaries of different countries and states. It helps the students to visually understand the size and shape of various countries, continents Etcetera., Maps clearly refer to the properties that people own and the geographical boundaries.
Maps
A map is an essential tool of a geographer. Map is a representation of the earth as a whole or a part of the earth drawn on a flat surface according to a given scale. It can show continents, countries, cities and even a local area are drawn with specific details. It is easy to handle and carry as it can be rolled up or folded and stored in computers.
Do You Know?
In the early times, various materials such as animal skin, cloth, parchment, papyrus, wet earth and clay tablets were used to make maps.
Types of Maps
As each map is unique in its design, content and construction. On the basis of certain common features maps can be classified into several types.
Maps DIVIDED IN TO TWO
On the basis of Scale
- Large Scale
- Small Scale
Maps DIVIDED IN TO TWO
On the basis of Content
- Physical
- Cultural characteristics
Maps on the basis of scale:
Large scale maps show small areas in greater details because they are drawn on a relatively large scale.
- Cadastral maps are village and town maps which show individual fields and house sites.
- Topographical maps shows smaller areas in much greater details about small area. These maps are prepared by Survey of India. These are also large scale maps which show both natural features like hills and valleys as well as man-made features like buildings, road and canals.
Small scale maps that show large areas like continent or countries. These maps are drawn on 1Centimeter Equal To 1000 Kilometer. These are called small-scale maps
- Wall maps are small-scale maps showing large areas. They are useful for students in classrooms and offices, small scale maps covers a larger area and depicts with limited information.
- Atlas is a collection of maps in a book. Atlas maps are small-scale maps covering large areas like continents and countries. Only prominent relief features, main roads and railways important towns are shown in Atlas maps. The study of geographic characteristics of a large area is possible at the time with the help of an atlas.
Do You Know?
The science of map-making is called cartography (carte means 'map' and graphic means 'drawing). One who draws maps is called a Cartographer.
Types of Atlas
- School Atlas contains the maps giving sufficient details of the home and country.
- Advanced Atlas contains detailed maps of even small regions of the continents and are used as reference atlases.
- Regional Atlas contains detailed maps of small areas, prepared with a view to help in regional planning.
- National Atlas contains detailed maps of a country. The maps of a national atlas are comparatively large-sized and they depict general and characteristic features of the geography of a country.
Maps on the basis of content
Physical maps show natural features such as relief, geology, soils, drainage, elements weather, and vegetation.
- Relief maps show general topography like mountains valleys, plains, plateaus and rivers.
- Geological maps are drawn to show geological structures, rocks and minerals.
- Climatic maps show the distribution of temperature, rainfall, clouds, relative humidity, direction and velocity of winds and other elements of weather.
- Soil maps which are drawn to show the distribution of different types of soil and their properties.
Cultural maps which shows the man-made features are called cultural maps.
- Political maps show the administrative divisions of a country, state or district. These maps facilitate the administration in planning and management of the concerned administrative units.
- Population maps show the distribution, density and growth of population, occupation structure and literacy.
- Economic maps depict the production and distribution of different types of crops and minerals, location of industries, trade routes and flow of commodities.
- Transportation maps show roads, railway lines and the location of railway station, airports and seaports, Etcetera.,
- Thematic maps represent the distribution of a particular feature or theme and its spatial variation.
Do You Know?
Digital maps is a web-based service that provides detailed information about geographical regions and sites around the world.
Elements of maps
Maps provide us with a lot of information and one must know how to read and interpret them. Every map is provided with certain features that help us to study the information presented in it. The basic essential elements of a map are title, direction, scale and legend (or key) and signs and symbols.
Title
Every map has a title that describes the information given in the map. For example, a map with the title India Rivers shows Rivers of India.
Direction
In general maps are drawn with North orientation. It helps us to find other direction on the map like East, West and South. In addition to the North notation, latitudes and longitudes are depicted in the margins. The North is notified by letter 'N' with an arrow mark.
Scale
The scale of a map is the ratio between the distance on the map between two points and actual distance between the two places on the ground. For example the scales can be represented as 1Centimeter Equal to 10 Kilo meter. It means 1 Centimeter on the map is equal to 10kilometer on the ground. It helps to find the distance on the map between two points.
Legend (or key)
A legend or key of a map explains the symbols that are used on it to represent various physical and cultural features. The common signs and symbols which are internationally accepted and used in maps are called conventional signs and symbols. Every map has a legend or a key which explains the different colours and symbols used in it. On a map it is difficult to show the real shape such as settlements, bridges, post offices, railway lines and forests They are depicted by using certain colours, symbols or letters.
| Colours | Features |
|---|
| White | Snow |
| Yellow | Agriculture |
| Green | Forest |
| Blue | Water bodies (oceans, seas and rivers) |
| Brown | Mountain, Hill and Contour |
| Red | Settlements, Road |
| Black | Railway line |
Conventional signs and symbols
A sign is a widely used symbol or a line pattern or a colour on a map. It represents a feature on the ground. The Survey of India (SOI) have standardized a set of convectional signs and symbols. Several colours are commonly used in the map.
Uses of Maps
- Maps enable us to know details of the landforms.
- Maps help the military personnel to campaigns.
- It is used in the aero planes and ships.
- Maps are used for weather forecasting.
Comparison of Map and Globe
| Map | Globe |
|---|
| A map is a two – dimensional form of the Earth. | A globe is three –dimensional model of the Earth. |
| A map shows a small or a large area. | A globe is a true model of the earth |
| A map can show a detailed information about an area. | A globe cannot show the detailed information for an area. |
| A map is very easy to carry | A globe is not easy to carry. |
Wrap up
Map is a representation of the Earth as a whole (or a part of the earth) drawn on a flat surface according to given scale. Maps classified into two types on the basis of scale and on the basis of content. The basis essential elements of a map are title, direction, scale and legend (or key) or symbol. The cardinal direction are North, South, East and West. The scale of a map is the ratio between the distance on the map between two points. A legend (or key) of a map explain the details in the map. The Survey of India (SOI) have standardized a set of conventional signs and symbols.
Glossary
Map Representation of Earth on a flat surface நிலவரைபடம் Scale Ratio between the Actual distance of two points on the earth and the distance on a map அளவை Legend It is a representation of different geographical features by using different colours and symbols குறி விளக்கம் Relief maps map that shows the physical appearance of hills, mountains, ridges, valleys, slopes நிலத்தோற்ற வரைபடம் Atlas Collection of several maps வரைபடம் Cardinal direction North, south, east and west are called cardinal direction முதன்மையான திசைகள் Thematic map Represent the distribution of a particular feature. கருத்துப்படம் Graduated Arranged in a series பகுத்துக்குறியிட்டஅளவு
Evaluation
Exercise 1. Choose the correct Answer:
1. The science of map making is called ____
a) Geography b) Cartography c) Physiography d) Physical Geography
2. North, South, East and West are four directions are called as
a) Cardinal b) Geographical c) Latitudinal d) Angels
3. Cultural maps are those which shows the ____ features
a) Natural b) Man made c) Artificial d) Environmental Exercise 2. Fill in the blanks:
1. is an essential tool of a geographer.
2. The directions in between the cardinal directions are the inter mediate .
3. in a map which explains the different colours and symbols used in it.
4. Cadastral maps are known as .
5. Small scale maps are helpful to us to show large areas like and .
Exercise 3. Circle the odd one:
1. North East, Scale, North West and East.
2. White, Snow, High land, and Plains.
3. Relief map, Soil map, Physical map and Atlas.
4. Weather Forecasting, Climate, Rainfall and Temperature.
Exercise 4. Match the following:
| 1. Upper right corner | |
| 2. Key (or legend) | |
| 3. Large Scale map | |
| 4. Physical map | |
| 5. Population map | |
Options: Density and growth, District (or town), Natural relief features, Colours and Symbols, 'N' letter
Exercise 5. Examine the Following Statements:
1. An Atlas is a bound volume of different types of maps
2. Atlas maps are drawn on smaller scale
3. Insignificant details are omitted
a) 1 and 3 are correct b) 2 and 3 are correct c) 1 and 2 are correct d) 1, 2 and 3 are correct
Statement 1: Globe is a three-dimensional model of the Earth.
Statement 2: It is easy to handle and to carry. as it can be rolled up or folded.
(a) Statement 1 is correct and 2 is wrong. (b) Statement 1 is wrong and 2 is correct. (c) Both the statements are correct. (d) Both the statements are wrong. Exercise 6. Name the following:
1. Representing the earth on a flat surface.
2. Ratio between the distance on a map and distance on the ground.
3. Symbols which help to show road ways and railways.
4. A book which contains different kinds of maps.
5. A map which shows administration divisions.
Exercise 7. Answer the following:
1. What is a map?
2. What is cartography?
3. What are cardinal directions?
4. What is an Atlas?
5. Name the types of Atlas?
6. What are the uses of maps?
Exercise 8. Answer in Detail:
1. What are the elements of maps? Write about it?
2. What are the three ways of representation of maps?
3. Classify the maps based on functions
4. Write about comparison of map and Globe
5. Describe the types of maps based on the scale? Write about it?
Exercise 9. Higher Order Thinkings
1. Map is an essential tool for a traveller why?
Exercise 10. Activity:
1. In an outline map of India mark the following features by using symbols and colours
- a) Mark any one of the District capitals.
- b) Draw any one river path
- c) Mark any one of the mountains
2. Draw the convectional signs and symbols to given points
- a) Bridge
- b) Canal
- c) Dam
- d) Temple
- e) Forest
- f) Railway Station
References:
- Practical Geography R. L. Singh Practical Geography
- RP. Misra, A. Ramesh (2002) Fundamental of Cartography, published and printed by Ashok kumar Mittal. New Delhi.
Unit 3
Book-back Exercises — Questions & Answers
Answers generated strictly from the Samacheer Kalvi textbook content. Attempt each question first, then click "Show Answer" to check.
1. Choose the correct Answer
1. The science of map making is called ____
a) Geography b) Cartography c) Physiography d) Physical Geography
Answer: b) Cartography
Explanation: The science of map-making is called cartography (carte means 'map' and graphic means 'drawing').
2. North, South, East and West are four directions are called as
a) Cardinal b) Geographical c) Latitudinal d) Angels
Answer: a) Cardinal
Explanation: The cardinal directions are North, South, East and West.
3. Cultural maps are those which shows the ____ features
a) Natural b) Man made c) Artificial d) Environmental
Answer: b) Man made
Explanation: Cultural maps show the man-made features.
2. Fill in the blanks
1. ____ is an essential tool of a geographer.
Answer: Map
2. The directions in between the cardinal directions are the inter mediate ____.
Answer: Directions
3. ____ in a map which explains the different colours and symbols used in it.
Answer: Legend/Key
4. Cadastral maps are known as ____.
Answer: Village and town maps
5. Small scale maps are helpful to us to show large areas like ____ and ____.
Answer: Continents and countries
3. Circle the odd one
1. North East, Scale, North West and East.
Answer: Scale
2. White, Snow, High land, and Plains.
Answer: Plains
3. Relief map, Soil map, Physical map and Atlas.
Answer: Atlas
4. Weather Forecasting, Climate, Rainfall and Temperature.
Answer: Weather Forecasting
4. Match the Following
1. Match the Following
| Column A | Column B |
|---|
| 1. Upper right corner | a) Density and growth |
| 2. Key (or legend) | b) District (or town) |
| 3. Large Scale map | c) Natural relief features |
| 4. Physical map | d) Colours and Symbols |
| 5. Population map | e) 'N' letter |
Answers: 1-e, 2-d, 3-b, 4-c, 5-a
5. Examine the Following Statements
1. Examine the Following Statements:
1. An Atlas is a bound volume of different types of maps
2. Atlas maps are drawn on smaller scale
3. Insignificant details are omitted
a) 1 and 3 are correct b) 2 and 3 are correct c) 1 and 2 are correct d) 1, 2 and 3 are correct
Answer: d) 1, 2 and 3 are correct
Explanation: Atlas is a collection of maps in a book. Atlas maps are small-scale maps covering large areas showing only prominent relief features.
2. Statement 1: Globe is a three-dimensional model of the Earth.
Statement 2: It is easy to handle and to carry as it can be rolled up or folded.
(a) Statement 1 is correct and 2 is wrong (b) Statement 1 is wrong and 2 is correct (c) Both the statements are correct (d) Both the statements are wrong
Answer: (a) Statement 1 is correct and 2 is wrong
Explanation: A globe is three-dimensional model of the Earth but it is not easy to carry. Maps can be rolled up or folded and stored.
6. Name the following
1. Representing the earth on a flat surface.
Answer: Map
2. Ratio between the distance on a map and distance on the ground.
Answer: Scale
3. Symbols which help to show road ways and railways.
Answer: Conventional signs and symbols
4. A book which contains different kinds of maps.
Answer: Atlas
5. A map which shows administration divisions.
Answer: Political map
7. Answer the following
1. What is a map?
Answer: A map is a representation of the earth as a whole or a part of the earth drawn on a flat surface according to a given scale. It can show continents, countries, cities and even a local area with specific details.
2. What is cartography?
Answer: The science of map-making is called cartography (carte means 'map' and graphic means 'drawing'). One who draws maps is called a Cartographer.
3. What are cardinal directions?
Answer: The cardinal directions are North, South, East and West. In general maps are drawn with North orientation which helps us to find other directions on the map.
4. What is an Atlas?
Answer: Atlas is a collection of maps in a book. Atlas maps are small-scale maps covering large areas like continents and countries showing only prominent relief features, main roads and railways and important towns.
5. Name the types of Atlas?
Answer: The types of Atlas are: School Atlas, Advanced Atlas, Regional Atlas and National Atlas. Each type contains different levels of detail for different purposes and regions.
6. What are the uses of maps?
Answer: Uses of maps: Maps enable us to know details of the landforms. Maps help the military personnel to campaigns. It is used in the aeroplanes and ships. Maps are used for weather forecasting.
8. Answer in Detail
1. What are the elements of maps? Write about it?
Answer: The basic essential elements of a map are title, direction, scale and legend. Title describes the information given in the map. Direction helps us find North, South, East and West orientations. Scale is the ratio between distance on map and actual distance on ground. Legend or key explains the symbols, colors and signs used to represent various physical and cultural features on the map.
2. What are the three ways of representation of maps?
Answer: Refer to the chapter text for this answer.
3. Classify the maps based on functions
Answer: Maps are classified into Physical maps and Cultural maps based on content. Physical maps show natural features like relief, geology, soils, drainage, weather and vegetation. Cultural maps show man-made features like political divisions, population distribution, economic activities and transportation networks. Each type serves specific functions for understanding geographical information.
4. Write about comparison of map and Globe
Answer: A map is two-dimensional form of Earth while globe is three-dimensional model. Map shows small or large areas with detailed information and is easy to carry. Globe is true model of earth but cannot show detailed information and is not easy to carry. Maps can be folded or rolled up for storage while globes cannot.
5. Describe the types of maps based on the scale? Write about it?
Answer: Maps are classified into Large scale and Small scale maps. Large scale maps show small areas in greater details like Cadastral maps and Topographical maps prepared by Survey of India. Small scale maps show large areas like continents or countries with limited information. Wall maps and Atlas maps are examples of small-scale maps covering large geographical areas.
9. Higher Order Thinking
1. Map is an essential tool for a traveller why?
Answer: Maps are essential tools for travellers because they show geographical locations, roads, settlements, and cultural features. They help in navigation by showing directions, distances through scale, and various features through conventional signs and symbols. Maps are easy to handle and carry as they can be folded and stored.
📝 Summary
- A map is a representation of the earth as a whole or a part of the earth drawn on a flat surface according to a given scale, serving as an essential tool for geographers to understand geographical locations, physical features, and cultural elements.
- Maps are classified into two main types based on scale: Large scale maps (like cadastral and topographical maps) show small areas in greater detail, while small scale maps (like wall maps and atlas maps) show large areas like continents or countries with limited information.
- Based on content, maps are divided into Physical maps (showing natural features like relief, geology, drainage) and Cultural maps (showing human-made features like roads, settlements, and political boundaries).
- An atlas is a collection of maps in a book, with different types including School Atlas, Advanced Atlas, Regional Atlas, and National Atlas, each serving specific purposes from education to regional planning.
- The science of map-making is called cartography, and maps help preserve records of the past, understand geographical boundaries, and assist in visualizing the size and shape of various countries and continents.