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Map Work: Types of Maps

This document provides information about map work, types of maps, components of maps, methods to show locations on maps, and how to read and interpret maps. It discusses sketch maps, atlas/wall maps, and topographical maps. It describes using a key, title, scale, compass, grid references, place names, and latitude/longitude to locate positions. It also explains how to interpret various map symbols and features to understand terrain, climate, vegetation, drainage, settlements, economic activities, administration, and other geographic information.

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hussain korir
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682 views25 pages

Map Work: Types of Maps

This document provides information about map work, types of maps, components of maps, methods to show locations on maps, and how to read and interpret maps. It discusses sketch maps, atlas/wall maps, and topographical maps. It describes using a key, title, scale, compass, grid references, place names, and latitude/longitude to locate positions. It also explains how to interpret various map symbols and features to understand terrain, climate, vegetation, drainage, settlements, economic activities, administration, and other geographic information.

Uploaded by

hussain korir
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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MAP WORK

 A map is a scaled representation of 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
Types of 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
DIAGRAMS 01: MAPS
SKETCH MAP
TOPOGRAPHICAL MAP

ATLAS MAP/WALL MAPS


COMPONENTS/ESSENTIALS OF A GOOD MAP
 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:
 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.
 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.
 Compass 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.
  Margin/Frame; This is a boundary or limit around the map. It gives or shows the reader and
interpreter the end of the map.
 A scale; It shows the relationship between map distance and the actual ground distance for
example 1cm to 10km means one centimeter on the map represents ten kilometers on the
ground MAP SCALE Is the relationship or ratio between map distance and actual ground
distance. Scale = Map distance Ground (actual) distance.
METHODS USED TO SHOW OR LOCATE POSITIONS OF A
PLACE ON A MAP

 The following are major methods used to show positions


of a place on a map.
 Grid reference.
 Place name.
 Compass direction.
 Latitude and longitude.
N
Sketch Map; Locating Places Using Compass
Direction
Human sketch compass
NORT
H
WEST EAST

SOUT
LOCATION AND POSITION:
COMPASS BEARING AND DIRECTION

N

 How to find direction of a place on map. Identify them due to points on the given map.
Points may be given by using ;grid reference points, place name or letter. Draw a straight
line connecting the two points Mark the major four cardinal points at the starting point with
the word from.
1.What is the direction of Mandera
Manderafrom Nairobi

K
NAIROBI

Mombasa
GRID REFERENCE
Grid reference is a network of vertical lines and horizontal lines on a map.

 These grid lines help you to pinpoint an exact location anywhere on the map
by giving a unique number known as a grid reference.
 The vertical lines are called eastings, since they increase in value as you
travel east on the map.
 The horizontal lines are called northings, since they increase in value as you
travel north on the map.
Grid reference.

NORTHINGS
EASTINGSS
Longitude and Latitude
Map reading and interpretation

 Map reading is the study of a map in order to have an understanding of what it represents.
 Map interpretation is the explanation of the meaning and importance of a map.
Title, key, frame, scale, and compass direction are used to read and interpret a map.
 The key is used in reading and interpreting a map. It contains symbols of features represented on a map
and their meanings. We, therefore, need to study the key carefully when reading or interpreting a map.
a) Colors
 Different colors are used on maps to represent different features.

Using Compass Points


 Direction of places on a map can be shown using a compass. A compass is always drawn on the map. The
North direction is always shown on the compass from which other directions are identified.
 The four main points of a compass are called cardinal points - East, West, North and South. Cardinal
points are divided into eight points of a compass, which is also subdivided into sixteen points of a
compass
Using symbols
 Every map has a key in which all the symbols used on it are explained. Symbols vary from one map to
another. We, therefore, must study the key carefully
b) Relief
Using symbols, one can describe different relief features found on maps. By studying the key, one can
also describe the general relief of an area.
 i) The presence of many hills in an area being represented shows that the area is hilly. The highest
point on the map can be obtained by studying the height of hills shown on the map.
 ii) The presence of swamps may indicate that the area is generally flat. We should not assume that all
swamps are found in lowland areas. Some swamps are found in flat areas in the highlands. By using
the direction of flow of rivers, we can tell to which direction the land is sloping.
 iii) Crops can indicate whether a place is within highland or lowland areas. For example, sugar cane
and cotton grow in lowland areas where the climate is generally hot. Tea, coffee and pyrethrum are
mainly grown in highland areas.
 iv) The presence of forests may indicate that a place is a highland area. However, this is not always
the case as some forests are found in lowland areas along the Coast,where rainfall is high and
temperature is high.
 v) The presence of volcanic soil may show that the area is a highland.
 vi) Lakes and oceans are found in lowland areas.
c) Vegetation and climate
Vegetation features are often shown using green colour on maps.
i) As we have seen, the presence of forests may be used to indicate that a place receives high rainfall. Since
most of forests are found on highlands, they may show that the area experiences low temperatures.
ii) The presence of scrub or grassland may indicate that the area receives low rainfall.
iii) Lack of agricultural activities may indicate that the climate or soil is not good for crop farming.
iv) Very low population may be a sign that climate, soils or land surface are unsuitable for crop farming or
for building homes.
 d) Drainage
Drainage refers to water features and how they are distributed. They include oceans, seas, oases, rivers,
swamps, waterholes, boreholes, lakes, dams and springs. On maps, they are represented using different
shades of blue.
i) Presence of many rivers especially if they originate from one particular area may indicate that the area
receives high rainfall.
ii) The direction of tributaries as they join the main river can be used to identify the main direction of flow
of the river.
iii) Presence of boreholes and oases shows that the area receives little rainfall.
iv) Drainage system is also used to show relief of the land.
e) Economic Activities

By studying the various symbols shown on the map, it is possible to tell peoples' economic activities.
Some examples are shown below:
 Trade - Towns, shops, markets.
 Transport and communication - All-weather roads, railways, airports and airstrips, dry weather roads, ports, post
office, telephone lines,
 Industry - Factory, mills, industrial plants, power stations
 Crop farming - Plantations and farms, flour mills, irrigation channels, processing factory for a plant product
 Livestock farming - Cattle dips, ranches, creameries, slaughter houses,
 Mining - mineral works, quarries, mines,
 Fishing - Fish traps, fishing villages, fish processing plant, fish ponds,
 Tourism - Museums, historical sites, game reserves, game parks, animal orphanages, hotels and beaches.
 Forestry - Saw mills
 Religion - Mosque, church, temple, shrine
 Medical - Dispensary, hospital, health center, clinic
 Education - Schools

N/B The presence of rivers or lakes may not necessarily mean that fishing takes place.
f) Settlement g) Administration
On most maps, settlements are shown using dots  Boundaries of districts, locations, and sub-locations
of different shapes and sizes. For example:
may be shown using different lines. The meanings of these
1. Small round dots indicate huts while small lines are explained in the key on the map.
squares indicate permanent buildings.
 Administration services may be shown by the
2. Areas with low population or settlement tend presence of a chief’s camp, DO’s or DC’s Office.
to have few dots scattered all over the map.
Areas with crowded settlements will be indicated  Security may be shown using the presence of a police
by the presence of many dots clustered together. station, a prison or a court.
3. By studying the arrangement of dots, we can
tell the type of settlement patterns in an area.

4. Areas with low population distribution show


that the areas may be experiencing low rainfall
or the areas may be having infertile soils.

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