D.A.V.
PUBLIC SCHOOL, AUNDH, PUNE
Std.-XI PRACTICAL WORK IN GEOGRAPHY (Part-1)
Ch-1:- INTRODUCTION TO MAPS
1. GLOBE:- The shape of the earth is Geoid (3D) and a globe can best
represent it.
2. MAP:- A map is a simplified depiction of whole or part of the earth on a
piece of paper. In other words, it is a 2 dimensional form of the 3
dimensional earth.
Hence, a map can be drawn using a system of map projections.
As it is impossible to represent all features of the earth’s surface in their
true size and form, a map is drawn at a reduced scale.
Similarly, we also use different symbols, colours, shades to represent the
different features of the earth surface.
‘A Map, is therefore, defined as selective, symbolized and generalized
representation of whole or a part of the earth’s surface on a plane
surface a reduced scale’.
3. SKETCH:- Simple network of lines and polygons without a scale shall be
called as sketch
ESSENTIALS OF MAP MAKING
‘Cartography is an art and science of map making’
1. SCALE:- Maps are drawn with the help of suitable scale.
Maps are the reduced form of earth surface
The first decision is take to select a suitable scale
The scale of the map limits the information, contents and the degree of
reality with which it can be delineated on the map.
2. PROJECTION:- Maps are a simplified representation of the 3D surface of
the earth on a plane sheet of paper.
The transformation of all side curved geoid surface into plane surface is
an important aspect of cartographic process.
In other words, a system of transformation of the spherical surface to the
plane surface is called a Map projection.
3. GENERALISATION:- Every map is drawn is drawn with a specific
objective.
For example, a general purpose map is drawn to show information of a
general nature such as relief, drainage, vegetation, settlements, means of
transportation etc.
Similarly, a specific purpose map exhibits information pertaining to one
or more selected themes like population density, soil, types or location of
industries.
4. MAP DESIGN:- It is an another important task of the cartographer in the
map design.
It involves the planning of graphic characteristics, appropriate symbols,
size and form, style of lettering, specifying the width of lines, selection of
colour and shades, arrangement of various elements of map design within
a map and design for map legend.
5. MAP CONSTRUCTION AND PROJECTION:- Drawing of maps and
their reproduction is the fifth major task in the cartographic process.
Previously map was drawn manually but now a days it is drawn with the
help of computers and photo printing techniques.
HISTORY OF MAP MAKING
1. The oldest map was found in Mesopotamia drawn on a clay tablet that
belongs to 2500 B.C.
2. Ptolemy, Greek and Arab geographer laid the formation of modern
cartography.
3. The foundation of map making in India was laid during the Vedic period.
4. Ancient Indian scholars divided the known world into 7 ‘Dwipas’.
5. In the medieval period, surveying and map making was essential for
revenue and tax collection.
6. In India, in 1767, the survey of India was established. Today, the survey of
India prepares maps at different scales for the entire country.
TYPES OF MAPS
I) LARGE SCALE MAPS:- These are the maps in which small areas are
shown on a large scale. Greater details are given on large size maps. Eg.
1:250,000, 1: 50,000
CADASTRAL MAPS:- The term ‘cadastral’ is derived from the French
word ‘Cadastre’ which means register of territorial property. These
maps are drawn to show the ownership of landed property by
demarcating field boundaries of agricultural land and plan of
individual houses in urban areas. Such maps are prepared by the
government agency for the collection of revenues and taxes. Scale of
village maps is 1:4,000 and city plans at a scale of 1:2,000 and larger.
TOPOGRAPHICAL MAPS:- Such maps are prepared on a fairly large
scale , they are based on precise surveys and are prepared in the form of
series of maps made by the National mapping agencies of almost all
countries of the world.
These maps follow uniform symbols and colours to show topographic
details such as relief, drainage, agricultural land, forest, settlements,
means of communication, location of school, post offices and other
facilities.
II) SMALL SCALE MAPS:- These maps are drawn to show large area on
small scale. Major features are only shown in map. Minor features are
ignored. The scale of a map is generally 1cm = 100 km or 1 cm= 50 km
WALL MAPS:- Such maps are large size paper on plastic base and are
used in the classrooms or in the offices. Scale of these maps are generally
smaller than the topographical maps.
ATLAS MAP:- Such maps are very small scale maps. These maps
represents fairly large areas and present highly generalized physical and
cultural features
I) PHYSICAL MAPS:- Physical maps show natural features such as relief,
geology, soils, drainage, elements of weather, climate and vegetation, etc.
RELIEF MAPS:- show general topography of an area such as landforms,
geology, soil, drainage, vegetation and elements of weather and climate
etc.
GEOLOGICAL MAPS:- show geological structures, rock types,
distribution of minerals.
CLIMATIC MAPS:- shows the climatic regions of an area, distribution
of rainfall, temperature, cloudiness, relative humidity, direction and
velocity of winds etc.
SOIL MAPS:- Show the distribution of different types of soil and their
properties.
II) CULTURAL MAPS:- These maps shows man made features.
POLITICAL MAPS:- shows administrative divisions of an area such as
country, state or district. These maps help to facilitate the administrative
machinery in planning and management of a place.
POPULATION MAPS:- show the distribution, density and growth of
population, age and sex composition, occupational structure and other
aspects of human beings. It serves the most important role in the planning
and development of an area.
ECONOMIC MAPS:- shows the distribution of crops and minerals,
location of industries, markets, routes for trade and flow of commodities.
TRANSPORTATION MAPS:- show roads, railway lines, pipeline
network, railway stations and airports.
USES OF MAPS
1. MEASUREMENT OF DISTANCE:- maps are used to measure the
distance between two places.
Linear features shown on the maps fall into two broad categories, i.e.
straight lines and erratic lines.
The measurement of straight line features like roads, railway lines and
canals is simple It can be taken directly with a pair of divider or a scale
placed on a map surface.
The measurement of distances are required for erratic paths, i.e. the
coastline, rivers, streams.
The distances are measured by placing a thread at the starting point and
carrying it along the line up to the end point.
The thread is then stretched and measured to determine the distance.
It can also be measured by using a simple instrument called Rotameter.
2. MEASUREMENT OF DIRECTION:-
Direction is defined as an imaginary straight line on the map showing the
angular position to a common base direction.
The line pointing to the north is zero direction or the base direction line.
A map always shows the north direction.
All other directions are determined in to this relation.
The north direction enables the map- user to locate different features with
respect to each other.
The four commonly known directions are North, South, East and West.
These are also called the cardinal points.
In between the cardinal points, one may have several intermediate
directions
3. MEASUREMENT OF AREA:-
The measurement of area of features like that of administrative and
geographic units is also carried out over the surface of the map by map-
users. There are different methods in which areas can be determined.
By means of regular pattern of squares: In this method, the area to be
measured is covered by squares by placing a sheet of graph paper beneath
the map on an illuminated tracing table or by tracing the area onto the
square sheet. The total number of ‘whole squares’ are summed up, together
with ‘partial squares’. The area is then determined by a simple equation :
Area= Sum of Whole Square + ( Sum of Partial squares) X Map scale
2
By using Polar Planimeter, In this instrument, a measure is made of the
movement of a rod whose locus is constrained by having one end fixed to a
radial arc.
The area to be measured is traced along its perimeter in a clockwise
direction with an index mark, starting from one convenient point to which
the index of the tracing arm must exactly return.
Reading on the dial, before and after the tracing of area’s perimeter, will
give a value in instrumental units.
These readings are multiplied by the same constant for the particular
instrument to convert into areas in square inches or centimetres.
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