MAPWORK

GRADE 10 - 12
 The following topics will be
studied in mapwork:
• Mapwork skills (Locating exact
position, scale, direction,
MAPWORK distance, magnetic declination
CONTENT: and bearing and true bearing)
GRADE 10- • 1:50 000 Topographical maps
• 1:10 000 Orthophoto maps
12 • Landforms and contours
• Simple cross sections
• Oblique and vertical aerial
photograph
• Geographical Information
GENERAL INFORMATION
GR 10 - 12
 WHAT IS A MAP?
• A map is a symbolic representation of selected characteristics of a
place, usually drawn on a flat surface. Maps present information
about the world in a simple, visual way.
• They teach about the world by showing sizes and shapes of
countries, locations of features, and distances between places.
Topograph
ic map

Types of maps
Orthopho
to map
FEATURES ON A MAP:
 NAME OF THE MAP:
The name of the map will always have the following information:
Name of the town

29 26 L AA BLOEMFONTEIN
La on
tit e gi This means that
ud tu
e d Bloemfontein is in
quadrant A in block A.
A B A B
C A D C B D
A B A B
C
C D C D D
 SCALE OF THE MAP:
• The scale of the map indicates the relationship between the actual
size of the area and the map that has been drawn of this area.
• There are THREE types of scales:
1.WORD SCALE: 2. RATIO SCALE:

3.LINE SCALE:
 LARGE SCALE AND SMALL SCALE MAPS:
LARGE SCALE MAP: SMALL SCALE MAP:
Map that covers small areas and Map that covers a large area and
show a lot of detail. Example: An do not show much detail.
orthophoto map (1: 10 000) Example: A topographic map (1:
50 000)
 DIRECTION:
• Direction is expressed by using the points of a compass
( North, East, South and West) and the points between
them.
• There are 16 cardinal points:
 KEY:
• A key is used to show conventional signs on a topographic map.
• Conventional signs are symbols for different features found on a map.
Three types of map symbols:
1. Line symbols: Represent lines on maps like roads, powerlines,
railway etc.
2. Point symbols: Represent point on maps like post office, police
station, buildings, shops etc.
3. Polygon/area symbols: Represent areas on maps like dams,
recreational parks, golf courses
 HEIGHT ON MAPS:
Height on maps are indicated as follows:

Trigonometrical
station
Spot heights

Bench marks
ORTHOPHOTO MAP:
ORTHOPHOTO MAPS ARE MADE FROM AERIAL
PHOTOGRAPHS.

TYPES OF AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS:

1. Vertical aerial photographs:
• Photo is taken from an aeroplane which is flying directly over the
landscape;
• Photo is taken at a 90° angle;
• Shows the top view of the landscape;
• Has a bigger scale;
• Usually printed in black and white to save costs;
• Help to map large and inaccessible areas.
 II. Oblique aerial photographs:
• Photographs that are taken from high above the ground at an
angle that is not vertical to the ground.
• Two types of oblique aerial photographs:
HIGH OBLIQUE PHOTO LOW OBLIQUE PHOTO
Horizon is visible on the photo. Horizon is not visible on the photo.

Shows a big area. Shows a specific image of an area.

Images are distorted when landscape is far from Images are clear.
the lens.
 HOW ORTHOPHOTO MAPS ARE MADE:
• Orthophoto maps are made from aerial photographs.
• Map information like the names of streets and dams are added to the
orthophoto.
• Contour lines are superimposed on the photo to provide height of the
area or landscape;
• Orthophotos maps are therefore a combination of a photo and a map;
• Digital mapping cameras are used where the camera is flown over an
area and the images are recorded and corrected according to scale;
• The scale of an orthophoto map is 1 : 10000, which means that 1
cm on the map represent 10 000 cm on the ground.
 SHADOWS ON AN ORTHOPHOTO MAP:

• The direction of the shadow on an orthophoto map can determine

the time of the day the photo was taken.
• Always look for trees or buildings when determining the time of the
day.
• The longer the shadow the earlier it is (am) and the shorter the
shadow the later in the day it is.
• Shadows that lies to the SOUTHEAST means the photo are taken
after 12:00 NOT 12:00
• Shadows that lies to the SOUTHWEST means the photo are taken
before 12:00 NOT 12:00
FEATURES ON A TOPOGRAPHICAL MAP:

NATURAL FEATURES:
Any feature that appears naturally:
• Ocean, natural bays and shores;
• Islands
• Rivers, lakes and dams
• Bushes, vegetation and forests
Represented as blue areas (water resources) , brown
lines ( contour lines) and green areas (natural vegetation
like bushes or forestry)
CONSTRUCTED (MAN MADE) FEATURES:
Any feature that is constructed on natural areas:
• Transport and infrastructures;
• Dam wall and dams;
• Cultivated land and purification
plants;
• Buildings and heritage sites.
Represented as black and grey lines,
grey areas, black symbols, green areas
that indicate cultivated lands, blue lines that indicate
canals, blue symbols and red lines.
INFORMATION FROM AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS AND MAPS:

The following information can be interpreted from

photographs and maps:
• The type of landform;
• The relief of the landform;
• Drainage patterns, drainage density and drainage distribution;
• Describe the settlement type: Urban or rural;
• Describe if the settlement is nucleated or dispersed;
• Describe the site and situation of a settlement;
• Indicate what the land is being used for.
MAP CALCULATIONS:
DISTANCE
GR 10 -12
Distance is the shortest distance between two point in a straight line.
Answer in km Answer in m
Topographic map x 0,5 x 500
Orthophoto map x 0,1 x 100

Step 1: Measure the distance between the two points in

centimeter.
Step 2: Note the unit that the answer must be in. Make
use of the above table and the following formula:
Map distance = Distance x scale
 EXAMPLE 1:
QUESTION: MEASURE THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE SCHOOL AND
CHURCH IN KM.
Step 1 : Measure the straight line distance between the two points.

This is a
topograp
hic map.

ANSWER: 8,5 CM
Step 2: Use the table and the formula to determine the
answer.
NOTE – The question asked
Answer in km for the distance
Answer in m in km.
Topographic map x 0,5 x 500
Orthophoto map x 0,1 x 100

Map distance = Distance x

scale
Map distance = 8,5 cm x 0,5
Map distance = 4,25 km
We multiplied with 0,5 because the question wanted
the answer in km and we worked on a topographic
map!
 EXAMPLE 2:
QUESTION: MEASURE THE DISTANCE BETWEEN spot height 1706
and spot height 1656 in m.
Step 1 : Measure the straight line distance between the two points.

This is an
orthophot
o map.
Step 2: Use the table and the formula to determine the
answer.
NOTE – The question asked
Answer in km for the distance
Answer in m in m.
Topographic map x 0,5 x 500
Orthophoto map x 0,1 x 100

Map distance = Distance x

scale
Map distance = 7,4 cm x 100
Map distance = 740 m
We multiplied with 100 because the question wanted
the answer in m and we worked on an orthophoto
map!
 AREA
GR 11 & 12
•
Now you have to multiply the measurement of length with the
scale: Answer in km Answer in m
Topographic map x 0,5 x 500
Orthophoto map x 0,1 x 100

Length= Distance x scale

Length= 8,5 cm x 0,1
Length= 0,85 km

We multiplied with 0,1 because the question wanted

the answer in km and we worked on an orthophoto
map!
Now do the same for breadth:
Now you have to multiply
the measurement of breadth
with the scale:
Answer in km Answer in m
Topographic map x 0,5 x 500
Orthophoto map x 0,1 x 100
Answer = 4,4 cm
Breadth= Distance x scale
Breadth = 4,4 cm x 0,1
Breadth = 0,44 km

We multiplied with 0,1 because the question wanted

the answer in km and we worked on an orthophoto
map!
•
DIRECTION
GR 10 -12
 DETERMINE DIRECTION:
Step 1: Join the two place with a line.
Step 2: Draw in the 8 main directions.
Step 3: Determine the direction.

EXAMPLE:
Determine the direction from trig beacon 153 to Bosrug.
As you can see on the map it is not one
of the directions drawn on the map,
therefore it will be a direction in-between
the cardinal points.
(Refer to the diagram above)
Answer = WNW
BEARING
GR 10 -12
•
 EXAMPLE 1:
QUESTION: Determine the Bearing from point A to point
B:
Step 1: Join the two points with a straight line.

Step 2: Draw in the North to South and West to East line at

the point you must measure FROM.
•

Now read your

answer from the
outer number.
 EXAMPLE 2:
QUESTION: Determine the Bearing from point A to point
C:
Step 1: Join the two points with a straight line.

Step 2: Draw in the North to South and West to East line at

the point you must measure FROM.
•
 MAGNETIC
DECLINATION
GR 10-12
 MAGNETIC DECLINATION:
• This is the angle between true north and the
magnetic north.
• The magnetic declination changes yearly and must
be calculated.
• This information can be found on the map.
• Magnetic declination can change in TWO direction:
❖ Westerly – The magnetic declination will INCREASE.
❖ Easterly – The magnetic declination will DECREASE.
Information on a map regarding the magnetic declination:

June 2011 refer to the month and year that the mean magnetic declination
was recorded.

June 2011 – May 2012 refers to the years that were used to calculate the
mean (average) magnetic declination. DO NOT USE THESE DATES IN
CALCULATIONS!

Mean annual change refers to how the magnetic declination changes each
year.
 HOW TO DETERMINE THE MAGNETIC DECLINATION:
QUESTION: Use the information on the map and
determine the magnetic declination for 2020.
STEP 1: Calculate the difference in years = Current year – Year
on the map

Difference in years = 2020 – 2011

Difference in years = 9 years
STEP 2: State the mean annual change:

Mean annual change: 6’ W

STEP 3: Calculate the total change = difference in years x

mean annual change
Total change: 9 years x 6’ W
Total change: 54’ W
•

Use your
calculator
for this
MAGNETIC
BEARING
GR 10-12
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COORDINATES
GR 10 -12
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Step 2: Determine the minutes of the latitude.
Remember when moving from block A to block B 60 seconds
has passed and therefore it will be one minute more. The
degrees remain the same.

Answer: 20’
Step 3: Now determine the seconds.
Use the following method:
1.Draw a line from the top to the point.
2. Measure the length of the line.

Answer: 2,4 cm
3.Now measure the length of the whole block B1.

Answer: 3,7 cm
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•
Step 5: Determine the minutes of the longitude.

Answer: 15’
Step 6: Now determine the seconds.
Use the following method:
1.Draw a line from the left to the point.
2. Measure the length of the line.

Answer = 3,1 cm
3. Now measure the width(breadth) of the whole block B1.

Answer = 4,2 cm
•
•
GRADIENT
GR 11 & 12
•
QUESTION: DETERMINE THE GRADIENT BETWEEN TRG
BEACON 345 IN BLOCK B1 AND POINT HEIGHT 459 IN
BLOCK A2. (On the topographic map)
Step 1: Draw a line between the two points.
•
•
•
CROSS SECTION
GR 10 -12
 CROSS SECTION:
• A cross section is a SIDE view of a landform or system.
Follow the following steps to draw a cross section:
Step 1: Draw a straight line between the points.
Step 2: Use a strip of paper and place it along the line:
Step 3: Mark off each contour and record its height in meters
Step 4: Draw a graph where the vertical scale is on the y-axis
with a scale of 1 cm = 20m and the horizontal scale is on the x-
axis.
Remember the following:
• Label your x and y axis
• Write a heading for your graph
Step 5: Place the strip of paper on the horizontal line and
plot the heights to correspond with the heights on the vertical
axis. Join the dots to complete the cross section.
 VERTICAL
EXAGGERATION
GR 11 & 12
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•
•
•

To divide a fraction
you can change the
sign to multiply and
invert the fraction..
INTERVISIBILITY
GR 11 & 12
 INTERVISIBILITY:
Refers to whenever one place is visible from another place.

Point A is visible so
there is intervisibility.

Point B is not visible

so there is no
intervisibility.
CONTOURS AND
LANDFORMS
GR 10 - 12
 CONTOUR LINES:
WHAT IS A CONTOUR LINE?
A contour line is a line on a map that join all points of the
same height above sea level.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF CONTOUR
LINES:
• Contour lines are imaginary lines;
• Contour lines can never cross one another;
• Contour lines are represented as a brown line on a 1: 50
000 topographical map;
• Contour lines are continuous and closed lines (except if
they are at the side of the map);
• If the landscape is steep, the contour lines are close
together;
• Contour intervals indicate the difference in height
between successive contour lines;
• If the landscape is gentle, the contour lines are
far apart;
• If the slope is uniform, the contour lines are
evenly spaced;
• Contour lines can join to form a single contour
line only where there is a vertical cliff;
• Contour lines never split.
 CONTOUR PATTERNS:
GENTLE SLOPES:
• Contour lines are far apart;
• This even spacing is maintained in both up and
down slope.
STEEP SLOPE:
• Contour lines are close together;
• This even spacing is maintained in both up and
down slope.
CONCAVE SLOPE:
• When the contour lines are close together at the top of
the hill and gentle at the bottom;
• A slope which becomes progressively steeper uphill.
• On a map the Contour lines will be spaced closer with an
increase in height above sea-level.
CONVEX SLOPE:
• When the contour lines are gentle at the top of the hill
and close together at the bottom, this indicate a convex
slope;
• A slope which becomes progressively steeper downhill;
• On a map the contour lines will be spaced closer
together with a decline in height above sea-level.
RIVER VALLEYS:
• A valley is formed due to flowing water and result into
a V – shaped landform;
• The V- shape point towards the higher ground (bigger
contour interval).
• In the case of a river valley, the greatest height is to
the outer side and the land sinks down towards the
inner side, where the riverbed is.
V – VALLEY:
• Found in the upper course of a river where the gradient is
steep;
• Can be identified on a map by looking a the dominant V of
the contour lines;
• Contour lines are close together.
U- VALLEY:
• Occur in areas where water or glacier erosion has widen the
valley floor to make it a U shape;
• Occur in the middle and lower course of a river;
WATERFALL:
• Forms where there is a sudden drop in the river valley;
• Waterfalls are formed in the upper course of the river;
• When contour lines on a map touch one another or are very
close together as they cross a river or stream, it indicates a
waterfall.
SPUR:
• A long, gently sloping strip of ground that runs down
from a hill to lower ground;
• A spur is formed between two river valleys;
• The greatest height is to the inner side and the land
sinks down towards the outer side of the spur.
HILL:
A point or small area of high ground. When you are on a
hilltop, the ground slopes down in all directions.
SADDLE:
• Depression between two peaks or ridges;
• This landform is formed by glaciers or streams that flow close
to one another;
RIDGE:
A line of high ground with height variations along its
crest. The ridge is not simply a line of hills; all points of
the ridge crest are higher than the ground on both sides
of the ridge.
MESA:
• A flat-topped hill with steep sides;
• Found in landscapes associated with horizontal strata;
• Contour lines are close together at the top (illustrate the
cap rock).
BUTTE:
• Tall flat topped mountain with steep sides;
• Associated with landforms with horizontal strata;
• Greater height than width;
• Smaller flat top.
CONICAL HILL:
• Formed by rivers that cuts through the landscape;
• No cap rock on this type of rock;
• Rounded point at the top, but more gentle than a mesa or
butte.