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An Introduction to Map Work

1. What is a Map?

A map is a scaled, two-dimensional representation of the Earth's surface (or a part of it) on a flat medium, such as paper,
cloth, wood, or a digital screen.

Map Reading: The process of examining a map to understand its features by decoding its conventional symbols,
signs, and information.

Map Interpretation: The process of analyzing the information presented on a map to draw conclusions about the
geography, topography, and human activity of the area represented.

2. Types of Maps

Maps are often classified based on their purpose and the level of detail they provide. The main types include:

i) Sketch Maps: These are freehand maps drawn from observation rather than precise measurements. They show the
main features of an area and their relative positions but lack an accurate scale.

ii) Atlas and Wall Maps: These are typically small-scale maps found collected in a book (an atlas) or displayed on a
wall. They provide a general overview of large areas like countries, continents, or the entire world, showing features
such as cities, mountains, major rivers, and political boundaries.

iii) Topographical Maps: These are detailed, large-scale maps that show both natural (physical) and man-made
(human) features accurately. They represent the shape of the land using contour lines and include features like hills,
rivers, lakes, roads, railways, and villages.

3. Essentials of a Good Map (Map Components)

For a map to be useful and easy to understand, it must include several essential components:

1. Title: The heading that clearly states the subject of the map (e.g., "Topographical Map of Mbeya Region").

2. Key (or Legend): A box that explains the meaning of the symbols, colors, and signs used on the map. Symbols are
often pictorial (e.g., a small airplane for an airport), while signs can be more abstract (e.g., a cross for a church).

3. Scale: Indicates the relationship between a distance on the map and the corresponding distance on the actual ground.
It is crucial for making measurements.

4. North Direction (Orientation): An arrow or compass rose that indicates the direction of North. Knowing North
allows the user to determine all other directions (South, East, West) and calculate bearings.

5. Margin (or Border): A line that frames the map, clearly defining the edge of the mapped area.

6. Grid System (Latitude & Longitude / Grid Reference): A network of lines used to pinpoint the exact location of
any place on the map.

7. Publisher and Date of Publication: Information that shows who created the map and when it was made, which
helps determine its accuracy and relevance.

4. Understanding Map Scale

The map scale is the ratio between the distance on a map and the actual distance on the ground.

Formula: Scale = Map Distance / Ground Distance

1. Large Scale:

Used for small areas like a village, a farm, or a building plan.

Shows the area in great detail.

Has a small denominator in its Representative Fraction (e.g., 1:5,000, 1:10,000, 1:25,000).

2. Medium Scale:

Used for areas like a district or a city.

Shows a moderate level of detail.

Examples include scales like 1:50,000 and 1:100,000.

3. Small Scale:

Used for very large areas like countries, continents, or the world.

Shows limited detail but covers a vast area.

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Has a large denominator (e.g., 1:500,000, 1:1,000,000).

1. Statement Scale: Expressed in words.

Example: "One centimeter represents ten kilometers" or "1 cm to 10 km."

2. Linear (or Graphic) Scale: A ruled line divided into sections that represent ground distances. It has primary divisions
(usually in kilometers) to the right of zero and secondary divisions (usually in meters) to the left of zero, allowing for
precise measurements.

3. Representative Fraction (RF) Scale: Expressed as a ratio or a fraction where the numerator (always 1) represents
map distance and the denominator represents ground distance in the same units.

Example: 1:50,000 or 1/50,000. This means 1 unit on the map represents 50,000 of the same units on the
ground.

a) Convert a Statement Scale to RF Scale:

Example: Convert "1 cm represents 60 km" to RF.

Step 1: Make the units the same. We know 1 km = 100,000 cm.

Step 2: Convert the ground distance to cm: 60 km * 100,000 cm/km = 6,000,000 cm.

Step 3: Write the ratio: 1 cm on the map represents 6,000,000 cm on the ground.

Result: The RF is 1:6,000,000.

b) Convert an RF Scale to a Statement Scale:

Example: Convert 1:250,000 to a statement scale (in km).

Step 1: The RF means 1 cm on the map represents 250,000 cm on the ground.

Step 2: Convert the ground distance to km. We know 100,000 cm = 1 km.

Step 3: Divide the ground distance in cm by 100,000: 250,000 cm / 100,000 cm/km = 2.5 km.

Result: The statement scale is "1 cm represents 2.5 km".

Enables the calculation of actual distances between points.

Allows for the calculation of the area of features on the ground.

Helps in enlarging or reducing maps accurately.

Used to calculate gradient (steepness of a slope) and vertical exaggeration in cross-sections.

Practical Map Skills

1. Measuring Distance on a Map

Straight Distance (e.g., a straight road or flight path): Use a ruler to measure the distance between the two
points on the map directly. Then, use the map's scale to convert this map distance into the actual ground distance.

Curved Distance (e.g., a winding river or road):

1. Using a Piece of String: Carefully lay the string along the curved path on the map. Mark the start and end
points on the string. Then, straighten the string and measure its length with a ruler.

2. Using a Strip of Paper: Place the edge of a strip of paper at the start point. Pivot the paper to follow the
curve, making small marks along the edge as you go. Once you reach the end, measure the total length on the
paper strip with a ruler.

3. Using a Pair of Dividers: Set the dividers to a small, fixed distance. "Walk" the dividers along the curved line,
counting the number of steps. Multiply the number of steps by the divider's separation to find the total length.

After finding the map distance using any method, convert it to the ground distance using the scale.

Example Calculation:
The map distance of a railway is 20 cm. The scale is 1:50,000. Find the ground distance in km.

Step 1: Convert the scale to a statement. 1 cm represents 50,000 cm. 50,000 cm / 100,000 = 0.5 km.
So, 1 cm = 0.5 km.

Step 2: Multiply the map distance by the scale factor: 20 cm * 0.5 km/cm = 10 km.

Answer: The ground distance is 10 km.

2. Calculating Area on a Map

Regular Shapes (e.g., a square plantation): Use standard mathematical formulas (e.g., Area = Length × Width) to
find the area on the map, then use the scale to convert it to ground area.

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Irregular Shapes (e.g., a lake or forest):

The Square Method:

1. Draw a grid of squares (e.g., 1cm x 1cm) over the feature.

2. Count the full squares that are completely inside the shape.

3. Count the partial squares (squares that are only partly inside the shape).

4. Estimate the partial squares: Add up the partial squares and divide by two (this approximates them
as being half-full on average).

5. Add the totals: Add the number of full squares to the estimated number from the partial squares to get
the total area in cm².

6. Convert to ground area using the map's scale.

3. Locating Positions on a Map

Place Names: The simplest method is locating a feature by its given name (e.g., Dodoma, Lake Victoria).

Latitudes and Longitudes: A global system of coordinates used to find the absolute location of any place on Earth.

Grid Reference: A network of numbered vertical and horizontal lines on a topographical map that create squares
called grid squares.

Eastings: The vertical lines, with numbers that increase as you move East (to the right).

Northings: The horizontal lines, with numbers that increase as you move North (upwards).

How to read a 6-figure grid reference:

1. Rule: "Read Right, then Up".

2. Eastings (First 3 figures): Find the Easting line to the left of the point. Then, imagine the space to the
next line is divided into 10 tenths and estimate how many tenths across the point is.

3. Northings (Last 3 figures): Find the Northing line below the point. Then, estimate how many tenths
up from that line the point is.

Example from Diagram: To find the grid reference for point A:

Eastings: The line to the left is 34. The point is about 3 tenths across. So, 343.

Northings: The line below is 08. The point is about 6 tenths up. So, 086.

Grid Reference for A = 343086.

4. Determining Direction and Bearing

Direction: Found using the four cardinal points (North, South, East, West) and inter-cardinal points (NE, SE, SW, NW).
To find the direction of Place B from Place A, draw the cardinal points at Place A and see which direction Place B lies in.

Compass Bearing: A more precise direction measured in degrees, clockwise from North (000°). Bearings are always
written with three figures (e.g., 045°, 090°, 270°).

1. Identify the start and end points.

2. Draw a straight line connecting them.

3. At the starting point (the "from" point), draw a North line pointing straight up.

4. Using a protractor, measure the angle clockwise from the North line to the line connecting the points.

Forward Bearing (FB): The bearing from the observer to an object (A to B).

Back Bearing (BB): The bearing from the object back to the observer (B to A).

To calculate the Back Bearing from a Forward Bearing, use this formula:

If FB is less than 180°, then BB = FB + 180°.

If FB is greater than 180°, then BB = FB - 180°.

Example: The Forward Bearing of Tukuyu from Kyela is 045°. Find the Back Bearing.

Since 045° is less than 180°, we add 180°.

BB = 45° + 180° = 225°.

Answer: The Back Bearing is 225°.

5. The Importance and Uses of Maps

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Maps are essential tools used for a wide variety of purposes:

Navigation: To find routes and directions for travel.

Planning: Used by builders, engineers, and urban planners for land use management, and constructing roads and
infrastructure.

Military Operations: Crucial for strategic planning and troop movements.

Research: Geographers, geologists, and environmental scientists use maps to study and analyze the Earth's features
and patterns.

Administration: To define property, district, and national boundaries.

Education: For teaching and learning about the geography of the world.

Map Work Exercises

1. Define the following terms:

a) Map
b) Map Reading
c) Scale
d) Contour

2. Explain two reasons why the study of maps is important.

3. State the three ways of expressing a map's scale.

4. What is the importance of having a scale on a map?

5. List three methods used for measuring the distance of a curved feature on a map.

6. The distance of a road from Igurusi to Chimala is 16 cm on a map.

a) Convert this distance into kilometers if the scale used is 1:100,000.
b) From the above, what would the distance be in kilometers if the scale was changed to 1:50,000?

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