A map is a representation or a drawing of the earth’s surface or a part of it drawn on a flat surface according to a scale. There are three Components of Maps - distance, direction and symbol.
1. What are the three components of a map?
The three components of a map are distance, direction and symbol.
2. What are the four cardinal directions?
The four cardinal directions are North, South, East and West.
3. What do you mean by the term "the scale of the map"?
Scale is the ratio between the actual distance on the ground and the distance depicted on the map.
4. How are maps more helpful than a globe?
A globe is useful if we like to study the earth as a whole. But if we want to study only a part of the earth like our country, district, town, etc., a globe is not much helpful. In such a situation, maps are more useful.
5. Distinguish between a map and a plan.
Map depicts a large area of the ground on a small scale while plan depicts a small ground area on a large scale.
6. Which maps provides detailed information?
Large scale map give us detailed information. It is because in such a map small area is depicted on paper and a large scale is used, showing 1,000 metres on the map equal to 1 cm on the ground.
7. How do symbols help in reading maps?
Symbols give useful information in a limited space. Even if someone does not know the language of an area, a symbol can help the person to collect information from the map. Symbols are part of a universal language in maps which all can understand.
8. What are physical or relief maps?
Maps showing natural features of the earth such as mountains, plateaus, plains, oceans, rivers, etc. are called physical or relief maps.
9. What are political maps?
Maps showing cities, towns and villages and different countries and states of the world with their boundaries are called political maps.
10. What are Thematic maps?
Some maps focus on specific information such as road maps, rainfall maps, maps showing distribution of forests, industries, etc. are known as thematic maps.
11. What are conventional symbols?
Maps have a universal language that can be understood by all. There is an international agreement regarding the use of these symbols. These are called conventional symbols.
12. What is a sketch?
A sketch is a rough drawing mainly based on memory and spot observation and not to scale.
13. What is Atlas?
A book where all maps are put together is called an atlas.