Topic 5 Map Work
Topic 5 Map Work
A map is a scaled representation the earth’s surface on a flat material. For example a
piece of paper, wall, clothes and a piece of wood. Map reading is the process of
examining the given topographical map, conventional symbols and signs Map
interpretation is the process of examining a given topographical map of an area
represented for the purpose of identifying the geographical information of an area.
TYPES OF MAPS
The classification of maps is based on the purpose for which each map is drawn.
Therefore map can be categorized into three types as follows:
i) Sketch map
ii) Atlas map/ wall maps
iii) Topographical maps
i) Sketch maps; A map drawn from observation (rather than from exact
measurements) and representing the main features of an area.
ii) Atlas map/ wall map; A collection of different maps that have been bound together
in one volume to form a book. These maps are usually drawn to scales example shows
town and cities, hills, mountains, valleys, forests, countries, etc.
iii) Topographical maps; Shows selected physical and human features in an area and
their positions on the ground for example hills, village, mountains, lakes, ponds, rivers
A map is good if it contains all the essentials of maps, therefore the essentials are good
qualities of maps. The essentials of a good map are:
1) Key. Used to interpret symbols and signs found on a map. They appear in a box at
one of the bottom corner of the map. 2) Title; Used to show what’s map is all about.
This is the heading of the map. It can appear on top of the map or anywhere else
3) North direction; This is an indication of the north direction. It shows where north is
and by knowing north one can know the direction and bearing of the place.
4) Margin; This is a boundary or limit around the map. It gives or shows the reader
and interpreter the end of the map.
5) Publisher and date publication; This shows when the map was produced and a
publisher.
6) Latitude and Longitude / Grid reference. It used to locate the place on the map. For
example the map of Tanzania is located at latitude 6°00' south of the equator and
TYPES OF SCALE.
We can classify the scale according to the size in our criteria. There are three types of
scales;
a) Large scale.
They are used to present information on small areas for example a map of village
buildings and farms. The map size involves all numbers less than 1:25000 I.e. 1:10000
and 1:5000 Characteristics of large scale.
i) It has smaller numbers in the denominator.
ii) It shows features clearly
iii) It contains geographical details.
b) Medium scale.
They are used to represent medium details shown on the map. i.e. 1:50,000 and
1:100,000. Example of a map that can be drawn using medium scale is a map of a
district, region, city etc. c) Small scale. They are used to present information that is
long. This type of scale covers a big area with less detail. For example a map of a
country, continent or world. May involve numbers between 1 : 500,000 to 1 : 1000,000
ii) Linear scale Also is called plain or graphic scale. This is a line which is divided into
two parts. The primary division and secondary division. The secondary are expressed
in meters and placed on the left side from zero and primaries are expressed in
A. A pair of divider. A pair of divider is commonly used to measure the distance. You
should start by breaking the length by using a pair of dividers then transfer some of the
already drawn straight lines. Then transfer the measured line to the linear scale or ruler
for calculation to get the actual distance.
C. A piece of strip paper Slowly lay a piece of paper along a given length then break
your lengths into short segments then transfer to the linear scale for measuring and
calculation. For example: The railway distance from station A to B was 20 cm, find
ground distance in km if the scale used to construct a map is 1:50000 20 cm map
distance Scale distance= map distance Actual distance Scale: 1:50000 If 1km =
100000 cm ? = 50,000 cm 100000 cm = 1km x 50,000 cm 100000 cm 100000 cm = ½
km = ½ km x 20cm =10km. The ground distance of railway from station A to B is 10
km
REGULAR SHAPE These are areas with definite shapes such as squares, triangles
etc. Their total perimeters or areas are obtained by mathematical formula i.e. length x
width, side x side etc.
IRREGULAR SHAPE These are areas with indefinite shapes such as lakes, farms,
ponds etc where these areas can be obtained by any of the following three methods; a)
Square method b) Strip method c) Geometrical method
b) Backward bearing. Is the opposite of forward bearing, it’s taken from the object to
the observer while forward bearing is taken from observer to the object.
How to determine the back bearing.
i) Find forward bearing.
ii) Mark the cardinal point north direction of the opposite point
iii) Find the bearing of the observer along the straight line principally to determine the
back bearing = FB + OR – 1800 BB= FB +1800 if FB < 1800 BB= FB -1800 if FB
>1800 For example: The forward bearing (FB) of Tukuyu from Kyela is 0450 , Back
bearing (BB) will be; BB = FB + or – 180. BB = 45 + 180 (FB added because it’s not
greater than 180) Therefore Back bearing is 2250