MAP SCALE

MITA SARKAR
DEPT. OF GEOGRAPHY
RAMSADAY COLLEGE
DEFINATION :

A map scale is the relationship between a distance on a map and the

corresponding distance on the earth or the ground. Map scale may be expressed
as an equivalence, usually by different units (e.g., 1inch = 1mile or 1:63,360); or
graphically, as a bar scale.
LARGER SCALE

VS

SMALL SCALE
SMALL SCALE

A map showing the whole world in a small scale which allows an overall
view , but not much details.
It is a kind of representation in which large areas like countries, oceans,
and continents are shown on a small scale. They are wall maps or atlas
maps. They show important features like mountains, plateaus, continents,
and countries. Their Scale maybe 1 cm = 100 km.

LARGE SCALE:

Large scale map It is a representation in which small areas like a

village or towns are shown on a large scale. They are guide maps or
topographic maps. Details of cities, towns, and villages are
shown. The scale may be 1 cm = 50 m or 1 km.
TYPES OF MAP SCALE :

► STATEMENT SCALE scale

► REPRESENTATIVE SCALE STATEMENT REPRESENTATIVE GRAPHICAL

SCALE SCALE SCALE

► GRAPHICAL SCALE

LINEAR DIAGONAL VERNIER

COMPARATIVE RETROGRADE
SIMPLE LINEAR DIRECT VERNIER
LINEAR VERNIER
► STATEMENT SCALE

■ When the scale of a map is stated in words, it is called a statement

scale.

■ Statement scale is type of map scale expression in which scale is

expressed in form of a written statement, for example one centimeter
on the map represent ten centimeter on the ground. This can also be
expressed in short as 1cm represent 10km or 1cm to 10km.
 Advantages :
(i) This is very simple method which is understood even by a common man.
(ii) It requires little time to express this scale.
(iii) It gives correct idea about distance.

Disadvantages:
(i) It can be understood only by those who are familiar with the unit of
measurement used. For example, if we say that the scale of a map is 1 cm : 1
km, it would be understood by only that person who is familiar with the
metric system of measurement.
(ii) When a map is reduced or enlarged from the original, the scale does not
remain the same. This creates problems in measurement.
iii) Changing the units of measurement is difficult in this system, and is a time
consuming process.
► REPRESENTATIVE FRACTION SCALE :

† A representative fraction, or RF, shows the relationship between one of any unit on the map and one
of the same unit on the ground. RFs may be shown as an actual fraction, for example 1/24,000, but are
usually written with a colon, as in 1:24,000. In this example, one unit of any length (one mm, one cm,
one inch, one foot, etc.) on the map represents 24,000 of those same units on the ground (24,000 mm,
24,000 cm, 24,000", 24,000', etc.).

† The RF is versatile because you are not tied to any specific units. You may work in any unit you
choose, either metric, English, or other.

† The RF is a called a fraction because it is just that--a fraction that shows how much the real world is
reduced to fit on the map.

† A related idea is that of small scale versus large scale. Geographers use these terms differently than
many people. A large scale map is where the RF is relatively large. A 1:1200 map is therefore larger
scale than a 1:1,000,000 map. The 1:1,000,000 map would usually be called a small scale map. This is
true even though the 1:1,000,000 map would show a much larger area than the 1:1200 map.
Advantages :

It has universal application. Anyone can find the distance on map

whether or not they're aware of the unit of measurement of that
country.

-The use of units to express the size makes it the foremost

versatile method.

-It is easily convertible.

Disadvantages:

The only disadvantage of R.F. scale is that it cannot calculate the

exact distance as it is represented in fraction.
 TABLE FOR UNIT CONVERSION

1KM 1,00,000 CM
1KM 1,000 MT
1MT 100 CM
1MILE 63,360 INCH
1MILE 1760 GAUGE
1MILE 5280 FOOT
1 MILE 8 FURLONG
1FURLONG 220 GAUGE
1GAUGE 3 FOOT/ 36 INCH
1FT 12 INCH
Determination of RF from statement scale:

Calculate the R.F. when 16 Inch on the map represents 1 mile on the ground

R.F = MAP DISTANCE / GROUND DISTANCE

First method
Here, Map distance is 16 inch
Ground distance is 1mile
So if we put the values in equation then , 16 inch = 1
63360 inch 3960
R.F 1:3960( In R.F scale, no unit is mention)

Second method
16 inch on the map represent 1 mile on the ground
16 inch ,, ,, = 1x 63360
1 inch ,, ,, = 63360/ 16 = 3960 inch
So the RF is 1: 3960
Q.2. Calculate the R.F when 1cm on the map represents 18 km on the ground

1cm on the map represents 18 km on the ground

1 cm 18x100000 cm
= 1800000 cm
RF 1: 1800000

Q3. calculate the RF when 2.5 inches on the map represents 2 miles on the ground
DETERMINATION OF STATEMENT SCALE FROM R.F

Express the RF 1: 750000into Statement scale

According to CGS methods:

1cm on the map represents 750000cm on the ground

1cm ,, ,, ,, 750000/100000 =7.5km

so, tatement scale is 1cm to7.5km

According to FPS methods

GRAPHICAL SCALE :

The graphical scale represents the same ratio, but as indicated on a ruler drawn on the map
and graduated starting from 0 to the values of the actual distance. The value of the graphic
scale can not be read directly and is estimated by comparison with the map.

Some features of Graphical scale:

◘Graphical scale is represented by a straight line divided into segments.

◘Scale or representative fraction shows map distance to the corresponding ground
distance.
◘Importance: Graphical scale changes as per the changing size of the map. The line of the
graphical scale enlarges or reduces along with. the map.
 LINEAR SCALE :

A linear scale, also called a bar scale, scale bar, graphic scale, or graphical scale,
is a means of visually showing the scale of a map, nautical chart, engineering
drawing, or architectural drawing.

ADVANTAGES OF LINEAR SCALE:

(i) Distances can easily be measured with the help of linear scale.
(ii) If the map is photographically enlarged or reduced, the linear scale is also
enlarged or reduced in the same ratio and remains true to the map.
(ii) It requires time and proficiency in drawing a graphic scale.
 DIAGONAL SCALE
Diagonal scale is an engineering measuring instrument which is composed of a set
of parallel straight lines which are obliquely crossed by another set of straight
lines. Diagonal scales are used to measure small fractions of the unit of
measurement.

Diagonal scales are used to read or measure upto three units. gs and yards etc. This
scale is used when very small distances such as 0.1 mm are to be accurately
measured or when measurements are required upto second decimal. For example:
2.35dm or 4.68km etc.