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The document discusses the significance and classification of maps, emphasizing their role in visualizing Earth's features and interrelations. It categorizes maps based on scale (large and small scale) and purpose (physical, political, thematic, etc.), detailing their specific uses and applications. Maps are essential tools for various professionals, including navigators, planners, and geologists, aiding in navigation, planning, and understanding geographical information.

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12 views10 pages

Wa0015.

The document discusses the significance and classification of maps, emphasizing their role in visualizing Earth's features and interrelations. It categorizes maps based on scale (large and small scale) and purpose (physical, political, thematic, etc.), detailing their specific uses and applications. Maps are essential tools for various professionals, including navigators, planners, and geologists, aiding in navigation, planning, and understanding geographical information.

Uploaded by

abhihalder661
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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TOPIC

USES OF IMPORTANT TYPES OF MAPS


ACKNOWLEDGMENT
CONTENT

Introduction
Importance of Maps
Classification of Maps
● On the basis of scale
● On the basis of purpose and content
Uses of maps
Conclusion
Bibliography
INTRODUCTION
Although a globe represents the spherical shape of the Earth in
miniature, it only helps us in understanding the relative shapes
and sizes of the continents, countries and oceans. On the other
hand, a map is the finest means of getting information of
tremendous magnitude at a glance which cannot be put in
words. Maps are therefore essential to visualize the large areas
of the Earth and bring out interrelation between different
elements of environment.
The other substitutes of maps are satellite images and aerial
photographs which may help in visualization,but cannot replace
the authentic information given in maps which is based on actual
surveys in most cases.
IMPORTANCE OF MAPS
A map is a simple depiction of a part or whole of the Earth on a
piece of paper or any flat surface.It is a two dimensional form to
represent the three dimensional Earth. It is drawn to a scale.
Scale is the ratio of the distance on the map to the corresponding
distance on the ground.For example, a 1:1000 scale map depicts
1000 inches on ground for 1 inch on the map.The scale can be
shown on a map as a ratio called Representative Fraction drawn
as a graduated line or simply mentioned as a statement.
As it is not possible to represent all the features of our planet in
their true size and form, a map is drawn at a reduced scale using
symbols of different colours to show various features.
The essential elements of a map are its title, scale,orientation
and legend or key of symbols. It is made on a network of latitudes
and longitudes, which represent the graticule or grid of the
Earth. This helps us to locate places with accuracy.
CLASSIFICATION OF MAPS
Maps can be classified into different categories, based on
i) The scale of the map: accordingly the two main types of maps
are large scale and small scale maps.

ii) On the basis of purpose and content: accordingly different


types of maps are physical maps, relief maps, geological
maps,climatic maps,soil maps,natural vegetation maps,political
maps etc.

LARGE SCALE MAPS


Large scale maps show a small area in great detail because they
are drawn on a relatively large scale.For example, topographical
maps and cadastral maps.
Cadastral maps- Cadastral maps are generally prepared for two
purposes.The first purpose is to show the owner-ship of landed
property by a detailed demarcation of fields and boundaries of
agricultural land.The second is to show the plan of individual
houses in urban areas.Government agencies prepare these maps
to realise revenue and taxes,and as a record of ownership.
Topographical maps- Topographical maps show smaller areas in
much greater detail. These maps for the whole country have
been prepared after a detailed survey, by the Survey of
India,Dehradun.They are made on a fairly large scale.Our
country has been mapped on scales with RF 1:10,00,000;
1:250,000 and 1:50,000.These maps show in colour and through
symbols the various natural and man-made features, such as
relief, drainage, agricultural land, forest, settlements, means of
communication and location of important buildings.Town guide
maps are based on topographical maps.

SMALL SCALE MAPS


Small scale maps show a large area such as a country or a
continent on a small scale with fewer details.
Wall maps- Wall maps are small scale maps meant for display.
They show large areas of the Earth at a glance.They may show
relief features, vegetation, population or communication.
Atlas maps- Atlas maps are drawn on a smaller scale than wall
maps.They give a general picture of physical and cultural
features because they do not give many details. They are well
suited for a comparative study of maps of two or more areas.
CLASSIFICATION OF MAPS ON THE BASIS OF PURPOSE AND CONTENT
Physical maps- Physical maps show relief features, geology, soil,
drainage, elements of weather and climate and vegetation.

Relief maps- Relief maps show the general topography of an area like
mountains, hills, plateaus, rivers and plains.

Geological maps- Geological maps show the geographical structures,


rock types and distribution of minerals.

Climatic maps- Climatic maps depict the climatic regions in an area.


They show the distribution of temperature, rainfall, cloudiness, relative
humidity, direction and velocity of winds and other elements of
weather.

Soil maps- Soil maps show the distribution of soils, based on the
criterion selected.

Natural vegetation maps- Natural vegetation maps depict the flora.


Related fauna may also be shown on maps.

Political maps- Political maps show the administrative divisions of an


area such as a country, state or district etc.

Cultural maps- Cultural maps show features related to the cultural


environment, the location of urban and rural settlements, transport
and other services, distribution and flow of different commodities and
all such features that are man-made or a result of human activity. They
also include historical, linguistic, industrial and ethnographic maps.

Population maps- Population maps are drawn to show the distribution,


density and growth of population, age and sex composition and other
demographic information about population such as its distribution on
the basis of social and religious composition, literacy and occupational
structure.

Thematic maps- Thematic maps are all such maps that represent the
distribution of a particular feature or theme and its spatial variations.
They may for instance, depict weather conditions, climatic types,
distribution of rainfall, natural vegetation, minerals or industries for a
particular area.

Economic maps- Economic maps depict the distribution of different


crops, minerals, location of markets, industries, trade routes and flow
of commodities.

Transport maps- Transport maps show roads, railway lines and location
of airports and railway stations and other details related to means of
transport.
USES OF MAPS
Maps are useful to everyone. We use advanced technology to
map each and every part of the Earth on land, under water and
even the rocks underground. The information on a map
depends on its purpose.
● Navigators and pilots use them to steer their ships or
planes and find locations.
● Town planners, geologists, miners, tourists, engineers and
sales persons need maps.
● Defence personnel need maps for their functioning.
● Planners and geographers also use maps.
● Everyone needs to be able to read and interpret maps to
get from one place to another, understand a weather
forecast, and locate places. Many types of maps are now
available to help us learn about the world of yesterday,
solve the problems of today and plan for tomorrow.

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