What is Mapwork?

Mapwork is the part of geography that involves the interpretation,

analysis, and use of maps to understand physical and human
environments. It is a practical application of geographical knowledge that
helps students:

Identify features such as rivers, mountains, roads, and settlements.

Understand the layout and characteristics of areas.

Measure distances and areas.

Interpret relief (height and landforms), drainage, land use, and

population distribution.

Key skills in mapwork include:

Reading and interpreting map symbols and keys

Using grid references to locate places

Measuring distances, directions, and bearings

Interpreting relief, drainage, land use, and settlements

Identifying economic activities and land development

Types of Maps Commonly Used

There are several types of maps used in mapwork, each with a different
purpose:

a) Topographic Maps

Definition:
Detailed and accurate maps that show both natural and man-made
features of an area.

Features include:

Relief (via contour lines, spot heights, trig beacons)

Water bodies (rivers, lakes, swamps)

 Transport routes (roads, railways, paths)

Settlements (villages, towns, cities)

Vegetation types

Grid system for location (eastings and northings)

Scale: Often 1:50,000

Use: Most commonly used in O Level exams for detailed analysis.

b) Sketch Maps

Definition:
Simplified hand-drawn maps that show only important features of an
area.

Features include:

Major roads, rivers, and landmarks

Key directions (north arrow)

Basic layout without accurate scale

Use:

In fieldwork to represent locations

To show routes, site analysis, or general distribution of features

Often used in data presentation and map skills questions

c) Thematic Maps

Definition:
Maps designed to show specific themes or data related to a geographical
topic.

Types of thematic maps include:

Population maps – show population distribution/density

Rainfall maps – show rainfall patterns

 Temperature maps – show climate variations

Land use maps – show how land is used (farming, urban, forest)

Economic activity maps – show mining, fishing, farming areas

Use:

Analyze spatial patterns

Compare regions or countries

Support case studies

d) Political Maps

Definition:
Maps that show national and international boundaries, cities, and
capitals.

Features:

Countries, provinces, towns

Borders and coastlines

Often colored to distinguish areas

Use:

Understanding political regions

Identifying administrative divisions

e) Physical Maps

Definition:
Maps that emphasize the natural features of the Earth.

Features include:

Mountains, rivers, plateaus, lakes

Uses color shading or contouring to show elevation

Use:
 Understand landforms

Study physical geography and natural processes

f) Weather Maps (Synoptic Charts)

Definition:
Maps that show the weather conditions over an area at a specific time.

Features include:

Isobars (lines of equal pressure)

Weather symbols (rain, cloud, sunshine)

Fronts (cold fronts, warm fronts)

Use:

To interpret and forecast weather patterns

Used in meteorology topics

g) Road Maps

Definition:
Maps that show the network of roads and transport routes in a region.

Features:

Highways, secondary roads, bridges

Distances between places

Towns and important landmarks

Use:

Navigation and route planning

h) Relief Maps

Definition:
Maps that show the height and shape of the land using shading, color,
or contour lines.
Features:

Mountains, valleys, hills, plains

Often uses color gradation (e.g., green for lowlands, brown for
highlands)

Use:

To study landforms and topography

SCALE AND DISTANCE

What is Scale?
Scale is the ratio between a distance on the map and the actual distance on the
ground. It allows users to measure and interpret real-world distances from a map.

Key Definition:

Scale = Map Distance : Ground Distance

Types of Scale
There are three common ways of expressing scale on maps:

a) Statement (Verbal) Scale

Expressed in words.

Example:

"1 centimetre represents 1 kilometre"

"1 inch represents 5 miles"

b) Ratio (Representative Fraction - RF)

Expressed as a numerical ratio, with both values in the same units.

Example:

1:50,000 means 1 unit on the map = 50,000 units on the groun

If in cm, then 1 cm on the map = 50,000 cm (or 0.5 km) in real life
c) Linear (Graphic) Scale

A line drawn on the map, divided into equal parts to show distances visually.

Allows you to measure distances directly using a ruler or piece of paper.

Useful if the map is resized or photocopied.

Understanding Large and Small Scales

Large Scale Maps:

Show smaller areas in greater detail

Examples: 1:10,000, 1:25,000

Used for town plans, detailed studies

Small Scale Maps:

Show larger areas with less detail

Examples: 1:250,000 or 1:1,000,000

Used for country maps or world maps

Using a Linear Scale (Graphic)

Steps:

Place a ruler or strip of paper along the linear scale.

Mark off the number of segments.

Then measure the distance between two points on the map using the same
paper strip.

Count how many full units and parts there are on the strip.

Straight-Line vs. Curved Distance

Straight-line (Direct) distance:
Measured using a ruler between two points.

Curved (Road/River) distance:

Measured using:

A string or piece of thread along the curve

 A divider (stepping off small segments)

A curved ruler

Then convert the measured length into actual distance using the scale.

What is Direction?
Direction refers to the position of one place in relation to another based on the
cardinal points (North, South, East, West).

It helps in locating features and describing their relative positions on a map.

The Four Cardinal Points

These are the basic directions:

North (N)

East (E)

South (S)

West (W)

The 8-Point Compass

To describe direction more precisely, the 8-point compass includes:

N – North

NE – North-East

E – East

SE – South-East

S – South

SW – South-West

W – West

NW – North-West

Example: "A lake is south-east of a mountain."

What is Bearing?
Bearing is the angular measurement in degrees, taken clockwise from North, used
to indicate direction more accurately.

Always measured from 0° (North) in a clockwise direction.

Bearings are given as three-figure numbers.

How to Measure Bearings on a Map

Tools needed:

A protractor

A pencil

A ruler

Steps:

Mark the two places (A and B).

Place the protractor's center on point A (starting point).

Ensure 0° line points to North (map's top).

Measure the angle clockwise from North to the line joining A to B.

Read the angle in degrees — this is the bearing of B from A.

Always give bearings as 3 digits.

E.g., 30° → 030°, 5° → 005°

4. Back Bearing
The bearing from point B to A (reverse direction).

Found by:

Adding or subtracting 180° from the original bearing.

If the bearing from A to B is 060°, then

From B to A = 060° + 180° = 240°

(If result > 360°, subtract 360°)

What are Grid References?

Grid references are number coordinates used to locate places on a topographic
map.
They are based on a network of vertical (eastings) and horizontal (northings) lines
that divide the map into squares.

Each square can be identified by a set of numbers, which give the location of a
feature.

2. Types of Grid References

There are two types:

a) 4-Figure Grid Reference

Identifies a grid square.

Format: two digits from eastings + two digits from northings.

E.g., 2763 means:

Easting 27

Northing 63

Refers to the bottom-left corner of the grid square (27,63).

Used to locate large features such as a village, forest, or lake.

b) 6-Figure Grid Reference

Pinpoints the exact location of a feature within a grid square.

Format: three digits from eastings + three digits from northings.

The third digit shows how far into the square the feature is.

Example:
276634

Easting: 27 → estimate tenths (6) → 276

Northing: 63 → estimate tenths (4) → 634

So the feature is:

6/10 across the 27–28 grid

4/10 up the 63–64 grid

Used to locate specific points, like a bridge, school, or trig point.

Rules to Follow
Golden Rule:

"Along the corridor, then up the stairs."

Always read the easting first (horizontal line, left to right)

Then read the northing (vertical line, bottom to top)

4. How to Read Grid References

4-Figure Grid Reference Steps:

Find the vertical easting line to the left of the feature.

Find the horizontal northing line below the feature.

Write the two numbers together: Easting + Northing

→ e.g., 2531

6-Figure Grid Reference Steps:

Find the grid square using the 4-figure method.

Estimate how many tenths across the feature is (from left to right).

Estimate how many tenths up the feature is (from bottom to top).

Add these to the easting and northing:

→ e.g., 257318

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Reversing eastings and northings
❌ Not using three digits in 6-figure references
❌ Referring to the centre of a square when asked for exact positions
❌ Reading grid lines instead of square corners