Navrachana School, Sama

Geography-Assignment-Class 6
Chapter 4: GLOBES AND MAPS

D. Distinguish between the following.

1. Globe and map

2. Large scale and small-scale map
3. Physical map and thematic map
4. Map distance and ground distance
Globe Map
It is a representation of the Earth’s surface or
It is a small man-made model of the Earth.
a part of it on a flat surface.
It is three-dimensional. It is two-dimensional.
Details cannot be shown on a globe Details can be shown on a map.

Small-Scale Map Large-Scale Map

This map shows a very large area with few
This map shows a very small area in detail.
details.
Examples -layout maps of villages and the
Examples - maps in atlases and wall maps.
guide maps of cities.

Physical Map Thematic Map

It shows relief features present on the
It shows specific type of information such as roads,
Earth’s surface like mountains, plateaus
railways, air routes and patterns of population.
and rivers.

Ground Distance Map Distance

It is the distance between any two points
It is the distance between any two points on the
on the ground, measured along a
map, measured along a straight line
straight line

E. Explain the following terms

1. Map: It is a representation of the Earth’s surface or a part of it on a flat surface.

2. Distance: It means the space between two places.

3. Scale: It is the ratio between the map distance and the ground distance of a map.

4. RF: It stands for representative fraction in which the ratio between the map distance and the
ground distance is denoted by a fraction.

5. Direction: It is the course or orientation along which an object moves.

6. Cardinal directions: North, south, east and west are known as the four cardinal directions.

7. Sketch: A rough map without a scale is known as a sketch.

8. Plan: It is a large-scale map of a very small area showing minute details.
F.Give short answers for the following questions.

1.What are the various components of a map?

There are three main components of a map: distance, direction and conventional signs or
symbols

2.How are maps more helpful than a globe?

A map is better than a globe because of the following reasons:

 A map is easier to carry.

 More details can be shown on a map.

 A map can be made for a part of the Earth.

3.Why do we need maps?

We need maps because they are useful in understanding various features present on the surface
of the Earth. Different types of maps are used for conveying and extracting information on various
purposes. Also, unlike globes, maps are more convenient to make, carry and study.

4.How can the Pole Star help in finding direction?

The Pole Star can be used to find the north direction. This is because the Pole Star always lies
vertically above the North Pole.

H. Give long answers for the following questions.

1.What are the main limitations of a globe?

The main limitations of a globe are as follows:

 It is difficult to carry.

 The space on it is limited and large-scale details cannot be shown on it.

 It cannot be made for a part of the Earth.

 Details of geographic features cannot be properly shown on it

2.Explain the purpose of different types of maps.

Different types of maps are used by different people according to their needs.
On the basis of scale, maps are of two types:

 Large-scale maps: These maps show very small areas in detail.

 Small-scale maps: These maps show very large areas with fewer details.

On the basis of function, maps are of three types:

  Physical maps: They show relief features present on the Earth’s surface like mountains,
plateaus and rivers.

 Political maps: They show boundaries of countries.

 Thematic maps: They show specific type of information such as roads, railways, air routes
and patterns of population.

3.Describe the different methods of showing scale on a map.

Scales on a map can be shown with the help of the following methods:

 By a statement: In this method, the scale is given in words, for example, one centimetre is
to one kilometre.

 By a numerical fraction: In this method, the ratio of the map distance to the ground
distance is given in the form of a fraction, for example, 1/1,00,000.

 By a graphic or linear scale: In this method, the map distance is shown with the help of a
straight line that is divided into parts known as primary divisions and sub-parts known as
secondary division.

4.How can we locate directions on a map?

The direction on a map can be identified through an arrow that points towards north. It is known as
the north line. Other directions on the map are derived through reference to this line.

5.What are the advantages of a mariner's compass?

A mariner’s compass consists of a magnetic needle, which aligns itself with the magnetic field of
the Earth. This needle always points to the ​ north‒south direction. Using this compass, all other
directions can be found out. This compass, therefore, helps sailors and mariners in navigation in
seas and oceans.

6.Why is it not possible to draw an accurate map?

A map is a representation of the Earth’s surface or a part of it on a flat surface. But a map also has
its limitations. The biggest limitation is the portrayal of the spherical surface of the Earth on the flat
paper. It hinders the drawing of an accurate map. Distortions of shapes, sizes and areas and
discontinuity occur in such depictions. Therefore, we have different types of maps to suit the
requirements of people.

7.Why does R.F. have the universal application in map making?

Representative fraction (RF) is a method of showing the scale of a map. In this, the ratio between
the map distance and the ground distance is denoted as a fraction, whose numerator is always
one. For example, the RF of 1/1,00,000 denotes that for a unit distance on the map, the ground
distance is 1,00,000. Since no particular units of measurement are needed in this method, it has a
universal application in map making.

8.How do symbols and signs help us in reading maps?

Maps are used for recording and showing information such as political boundaries, relief features
and social and cultural features. But there is not enough space on a map to show the actual size
and shape of features such as mountains, peaks, rivers and forests. Therefore, different colours,
signs, symbols, and letters are used to present information on maps. These signs and symbols
thus help in keeping the map clean, making it easy to read and interpret.