Topographical Sheets: Colours, Signs and Symbols

THINK AND ANSWER

Question
If maps were only black and white, will they be difficult to read ?
Answer:
If the maps were only black and white it would be difficult to understand as we would be
unable to know the natural and man-made features of the region e.g. the rivers, roads,
railways, sand dunes, jungles, etc.

VALUES AND LIFE SKILLS

Question
Using colours and symbols is an intelligent way of providing information. It helps
cartographers to make beautiful and easy-to-read maps.
Can you think of a situation where you can use this method in your day-to-day life ?
Answer:
Yes, we use different colours and symbols while preparing notes. We use green or
black colour pen for writing questions and blue colour pen for writing answers. We also
use symbols like Q. for questions and Ans. for Answers.

EXERCISES

A. Fill in the blanks

1. Mountains, hills, rivers, etc. are natural features shown on a map.

2. Roads, rail tracks, wells, etc. are man-made features on a map.
3. Contour lines on a map join points of equal height on the surface or the earth above
or below a reference point.
4. The colour white is used to show barren land on topographical sheets.
5. The colour yellow is used to show cultivated land on topographical sheets.
B. Match the following

Answer:

C. Write True or False. Correct the false statements.

1. The distance between the two tracks in broad gauge is 1 m.

Answer. False.
The distance between the two tracks in broad gauge is 1.67 m.

2. A metalled road is shown by two blue lines.

Answer. False.
A metalled road is shown by two Red parallel lines.
3. Settlements can either be temporary or permanent.
Answer. True.

4. In permanent settlements, houses are build for a short period of time.

Answer. False.
In permanent settlements, houses are build for a long period of time.

5. Terrace farming is undertaken on hilly slopes.

Answer. True.

6. Land use refers to the way a piece of land is used in the area.
Answer. True.

D. Answer the following questions briefly.

Question 1.
What are topographical maps ?
Answer:
Topographical maps are large-scale maps that show both natural features such as
mountains, hills, rivers, lakes, plateaus, cliffs, etc., and man-made features such as
settlements, roads, railway tracks, wells, and embankments.

Question 2.
What is a contour line ?
Answer:
A contour line is an imaginary line on a map connecting points at the same height above
sea level.
Question 3.
Explain why colours are used in topographical maps.
Answer:
The colours are used to represent certain physical, economic and cultural features. In
the absence of colour it would become impossible to interpret the map so colour are
integeral part of topographical maps.

Question 4.
Name the features shown in blue, green and brown colours on a map.
Answer:
Blue colour depicts all perennial water bodies like rivers, wells, tanks, ponds, lakes,
seas, etc.
Green shows all forests and jungle areas including woodlands are shown in green.
All contour lines are brown in colour. The figures denoting the height of the contour line
are also in the some colour as the contour lines, eg. Sand hills, sand dunes etc. And
shifting sands are also indicated by brown colour

Question 5.
How would you recognize a metalled road and an unmetalled one on a topographical
map ?
Answer:
A metalled road means a tarred road. It is shown by two red parallel lines. A metalled
road indicates that the region is developed.

Unmetalled roads (or Kutcha roads) are shown by a set of ! broken parallel lines in red
on the map. They indicate that the area is underdeveloped.

Question 6.
What do you understand by settlements ?
Answer:
Settlements are groups of houses, usually in villages or towns, where people live. The
size of settlements depends on the availability of roads, railways, hospitals, police
stations, administrative buildings, rest houses and so on. Settlements grow over a
period of time. The location and type of settlements are determined by various factors
such as the terrain, presence of water, suitable climate, presence of employment
opportunities, etc.
Question 7.
Distinguish between a temporary settlement and a permanent settlement.
Answer:
Temporary Settlement

1. These settlements are built and occupied for a short period of time.
2. People practice hunting, gathering, shifting, cultivation.
3. Due to climatic conditions or circumstances, people need to change their homes.

Permanent Settlement

1. These settlements have permanent houses.

2. People practice manufacture, trading and other services.
3. People build permanent house

E. Answer the following questions in one or two paragraphs.

Question 1.
How can the occupation of people be inferred directly from a topographical sheet ?
Answer:
OCCUPATIONS — Occupations of people can be inferred directly from a topographical
map. The type of settlements in the region as well as the way in which the local people
use the land can give you an idea in this regard. Some of the common ways by which
the local inhabitants use the land are:

1. Agriculture: If large tracts of land indicate cultivation of crops then most of the
people are farmers or cultivators.
2. Mining : If there are indications of mines and quarries (especially marble and
stone quarries) then mining or working in quarries can be inferred as the main
occupation.
3. Fishing: If a settlement is near a large river or the sea coast, fishing will obviously
be the main occupation of the inhabitants.
4. Manufacturing: Large settlements such as towns will indicate the presence of
factories and hence manufacturing will be the main occupation.
5. Trading: A large settlement with many cart tracks, roads and railway lines
converging will indicate that the town is a market town with access to trade and
commerce.

Question 2.
How can topographical maps help us to know about the transport and communication of
an area ?
Answer:
TRANSPORTAND COMMUNICATION — When we look at a topographical map we will
notice many different red lines of varying width running all across it There are also some
black lines that go across the map. These lines are symbols of roadways and railway
tracks. These lines indicate the type of communication present in the area. They also
reflect file various modes of transport that are being used in the area.

Question 3.
How does relief of an area affect land use ?
Answer:
Land use refers to the way a piece of land is used in the area. The relief of the land
determines the type of activity that takes place on the land. In highlands, such as hills,
mountains and plateaus, where the slope of the land is generally steep, the land is used
for grazing sheep and goats.
Most of the land is covered by forests which facilitates economic activities such as
forest harvesting and lumbering. Terrace farming is also undertaken on hilly slopes to
grow crop such as rice, barley and tea. Various agricultural activities take place on
lowlands since cultivation of crops is easier on a flat surface than on a sloping surface.

F. Draw a sketch map of your neighbourhood using different colours for different areas,
for example, red for residential areas, green for parks and playgrounds, and yellow for
commercial areas. Use symbols to mark out roads and special places like temples, post
offices, old monuments, or railway stations. Make a proper key for it.
Answer:
G Picture study
Look at the symbols given here and answer the questions that follow.

Question 1.
What does symbols 1 and 2 show?
Answer:

Question 2.
How do the features shown by these two symbols differ?
Answer:
Temporary huts that could be pulled down at any time in the foreseeable future.
Permanent huts will not be taken down in the foreseeable future and has been built on a
permanent basis.

LET’S DO SOMETHING

Form a group in your class and obtain a topo sheet from the Geography
Department of your school. Look at it carefully and identify the following features
:

1. settlements
2. railway lines
3. agricultural fields
4. roads

Answer:
Do it Yourself