Map Reading and interpretation Introduction to Map Reading

Map work or map reading involves the ability to recognize conventional signs
on a map and using the signs to interpret the map.

A map is a representation of the earth’s surface as it is seen from above on a

paper. A large area of land e.g. town, village or even a whole country can be
represented on one page of the paper.

Map scale

The Scale of a map indicates the relationship between the distance of two
points on a map and the actual distance on the ground. That is, the map
scale is the ratio, proportion or relationship between a measurement on the
map and the actual measurement on the ground. If the scale of a map is
2cm to 1km, it means that two centimetres on a map represent one
kilometre on the ground.

Types of scale

We have three types of scale. They include Statement scale, Linear scale and
Representative scale.

Statement scale:

This is a scale that is given in form of a statement and figures e.g. 1cm to
2km (means 1cm on the map represents 2km on the ground), 2cm to 1km
(means 2cm on map is equal to 1km on the ground).

Question

If the scale of a map is 2cm to 1km, what is the ground distance if the
distance between two towns, on the map is 10cm?

Solution
Map distance = 10cm

Ground distance =?

Map scale = 2cm to 1km

Since 2 cm = 1km

10 x 1 =?

10 x 1 = 2 x x (cross multiply)

10 = 2x

Therefore, x = 10 / 2= 5km

Evaluation

Explain map work.

What is a scale?

State the types of scale.

Linear scale:

This is a line drawn to represent the relationship between the distances on

the map and that of the actual distance on the ground. The linear scale is
divided into two parts: primary divisions and secondary divisions. The
primary division is the major division on the right side while the secondary
division is the minor division on the left.

Representative fraction:
Here, the scale is expressed in the form of a fraction or ratio. Thus, the
distance on the map is the numerator and is always one (1) while the
denominator stands for the distance on the ground. Both the numerator and
the denominator are in the same unit.

E.g. 1: 100,000 1: 50,000 1: 200,000 etc.

Note:

1: 100,000 is the same as 1 cm to 1km while 1:50,000 is the same as 2cm to

1km or 1cm to 1/2km

How to use a representative fraction

Note the two places involved

Measure the distance between the two places

Relate the distance measured to the scale

Question:

If the scale of a map is 1:50,000, What is the ground distance if the distance
between two towns on the map is 10cm?

Solution

Map distance = 10cm

Ground distance =?
Map scale = 1:50,000 = 1cm = ½ km

:: 10cm = 5km

Ans = 5km

Size of a scale

The size of a scale may be large or small

Small scale map: This shows a large area but cannot include a great number
of details. Only very important features are shown.The larger the
denominator of a scale, the smaller the scale E.g. 1:1,000,000; 1: 2,000,000;
1:250,000 etc.

Large scale map: This shows a small area but with more details of the area
and also important features are shown. The smaller the denominator of a
scale, the larger the scale.

Distances (Direction and Bearing)

The distance on a map is the interval between two points on a map. It can
either be straight or curved.

Direction

Directions are stated on the map in two ways

By compass direction

By bearing

Compass direction

A compass is used to show and measure direction of a place from another,

The arrow below points to the north, therefore the compass direction of any
place is stating the direction by means of cardinal points (north, south, east
west)

Diagram
Example.

What is the direction of Manjo from Douala

Diagram

Solution.

Since Douala is the point of origin from which Manjo is to be determined, so

the four cardinal points Cut across Douala. See below

Diagram

Link the point of observation (Douala) to the other point whose direction is
required (Manjo) with a straight line (Draw a straight line from Douala to
Manjo as seen above).

You can now determine the compass direction by means of its cardinal
points. Therefore Manjo as seen above is located North West of Douala.

Directions by Bearings. A second way of showing directions on maps is by its

bearings.

The bearing is a whole circle measuring 3600.

We show the direction in bearings using a protractor

It starts from the north in a clockwise direction

The direction of one place from another is described by the number of

degrees measuring e from the north.

Example State the direction and bearing of Cisco Mtn from Piney Mtn

Diagram

How to determine direction using bearings

To measure the bearing of Cisco Mtn from Piney Mtn, drawa straight-line
joining the two points. Draw another straight line pointing to the north
through Piney Mtn (grid north)

Place the centre of the protractor over Piney Mtn with 0° on the protractor
pointing to the north.

Then you measure clockwise from the grid north and read the bearing off the
protractor where the line Piney Mtn-Cisco Mtn cuts across.
Readings from the protractor shows that the direction and bearing of Cisco
Mtn from Piney Mtn is 300 North East. Cisco is 300 North East from Piney

GRID REFERENCES

A grid is a system of numbered squares formed by vertical and horizontal

lines usually drawn on the map surface. Grid lines Look like lines of Latitude
and Longitude but they are not. Latitudes and Longitudes can give the
position of a place exactly in degrees and minutes. But to give the position of
a place in terms of distance, it is convenient to use the grid reference system
since it enables us give the position of a place more accurately than
Longitudes and Latitudes.

There are two types of grid lines nameły Eastings and Northings.

Eastings are grid line running from south to north but numbered from West
to East.

Diagram

Northings are grid line running from West to East but numbered from South
to North.

Diagram.

It should be noted that in Map Reading, the Eastings are first read before the
Northings, as a matter of Principle. This gives, the saying “Eastings before
Northings”.

Types of Grid references

There are two types of Grid Numbers namely; four figure grid reference and
six figure grid reference.

Four figure grid reference/number This is used when locating a large feature
on the Map especially features that may cover a whole square like a Lake or
a forest.

Example. State the four figure grid reference for the lake, quarry and forest
below.

Diagram

Locating features using a four figure grid reference

Four figure grid reference for the lake is 1480

Four figure grid reference for the quarry is 1179

Four figure grid reference for the forest is 1278

State the four figure grid reference for the marsh.....

Six figure grid reference/number

A six figure grid reference has six digits and tries to give an exact location of
a feature. To locate a feature using a six figure grid reference, you first read
the whole number of the square where the feature is located in the eastings,
then count units to the east to give the exact location. Number of units from
one grid number to the next is 10 units. Then do the same for the northings
by writing down first the whole number of the square to which the feature is
found, then count number of units northwards to locate

example State the six figure grid reference for the farmhouse and station

Diagram

Locating features using a six figure grid reference

The farm house is found at grid reference153920

The station is found at grid reference 256927.

State the six figure grid reference for the telephone