FACTS ABOUT MAPS

MAPS

• A selective, symbolised and generalised representation of the whole or part of the earth at a reduced scale.

• The oldest map was found in Mesopotamia drawn on a clay tablet that belongs to 2,500 B.C.
  
  
  

• First map was prepared by Greek philosopher Anaximander

• Father of modern map – Jerald Mercater

• Cardinal Points : North (N), South (S), East (E) and West (W)

• Cartography : Art, science and technology of making maps.

• Greek and the Arab geographers laid the foundation of modern cartography

• Scale : The ratio between the distances of two points on the map, and the actual distance between the same two points on the ground.

Types of Maps Based on Scale

• On the basis of scale, maps may be classified into

           1.   large-scale

   2.   small-scale.

Large-scale Maps:

• Large-scale maps are further divided into the following types :

(a) Cadastral maps

(b) Topographical maps

Cadastral Maps :

• The term ‘cadastral’ is derived from the French word ‘cadastre’ meaning ‘register of territorial property’.

• These maps are drawn to show the ownership of landed property by demarcating field boundaries of agricultural land and the plan of individual houses in urban areas.

• The cadastral maps are prepared by the government agencies to realise revenue and taxes, along with keeping a record of ownership.

• These maps are drawn on a very large scale, such as the cadastral maps of villages at 1 : 4,000 scale and the city plans at a scale of 1 : 2,000 and larger.

Topographical Maps :

• These maps are also prepared on a fairly large scale.

• The topographical maps are based on precise surveys and are prepared in the form of series of maps made by the national mapping agencies.

• Survey of India undertakes the topographical mapping of the entire country at 1:250,000, 1:50,000 and 1:25,000 scale.

• These maps follow uniform colours and symbols to show topographic details such as relief, drainage, agricultural land, forest, settlements, means of communication, location of schools, post offices and other services and facilities.

Small-scale Maps

• Small-scale maps are further divided into the following types :

(a) Wall Maps

(b) Atlas Maps

(a) Wall Maps

• These maps are generally drawn on large size paper or on plastic base for use in classrooms or lecture halls.

• The scale of wall maps is generally smaller than the scale of topographical maps but larger than atlas maps.

(b) Atlas Maps  

• Atlas maps are very small-scale maps.
• These maps represent fairly large areas and present highly generalised picture of the physical or cultural features.
• An atlas map serves as a graphic encyclopaedia of the geographical information about the world, continents, countries or regions.
• First atlas was prepared by Abhraham Ortelious.

Types of Maps Based on Function

• Maps based on their functions may be classified into physical maps and cultural maps.
• Physical Maps: Physical maps show natural features such as relief, geology, soils, drainage, elements of weather, climate and vegetation,etc.

1.     Climatic map

2.     Soil map,

3.     Drainage map,

4.     Relief map,

5.     Geological map

• Cultural Maps: Cultural maps show man-made features. These include a variety of maps showing population distribution and growth, sex and age, social and religious composition, literacy, levels of educational attainment, occupational structure, location of settlements, facilities and services, transportation lines and production, distribution and flow of different commodities.

1.     Political map

2.     Population map

3.     Economic map

4.     Transportation map

• The distances along a map is measured using a simple instrument - Rotameter.
• Instruments used to measure area on map - Polar Planimeter