interpreting topographical maps
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CHAPTER 5
INTERPRETING
TOPOGRAPHICAL MAPS
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Learning Outcomes
You will learn:
to interpret physical and human
environments shown on
topographical maps
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Lead-in: Road Map to Treasure! (Answers)
1. The compass on the bottom right hand corner of the
map and the series of straight lines indicate thecompass directions. The map symbols represent thephysical features found on the island such as the trees,rivers and mountains. The red marks on the map couldbe the location of the treasure.
2. The map helps me to locate my position in relation tothe position of the treasure on the island.
3. I would have to constantly check my position using acompass to ensure that I am traveling in the correct
direction. I would also observe the environmentclosely and compare it to the symbols on the map toensure that I am moving towards the location of thetreasure.
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Topographical Maps
Topographical maps show the details of the
physical and human features in an area. They are used to locate specific places as
well as to understand the physical and
human environments
of these places.
What physical
and human
features canyou see in the
map?
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Using Grid References to Describe Locations
Grid lines are the vertical and horizontal lines
which form a grid dividing a map into grid squares
Vertical grid lines are called eastings because
their numbers increase eastward
Horizontal grid lines are called northings becausetheir numbers increase northward
A grid reference occurs at the point when an
easting crosses a northing Grid references are used to describe the location
of any area or feature on a map
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Using Grid References to Describe Locations:Four-Figure Grid References
A four-figure grid reference can be used to
locate the grid square of an area or a largefeature on a map.
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Using Grid References to Describe Locations:Six-Figure Grid References
A six-figure grid reference can be used to
find the exact location of a feature on amap
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Finding Directions on a Map: Compass Points
A compass helps us to find the direction of a
place from another.
Fourcompass points are marked on most
compasses: north, south, east and west.
Compass points are shown by the north arrowon maps.
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Finding Directions on a Map: Compass Bearings
Compass bearings are directions measured
in degrees and are more exact than compasspoints.
They are measured from north in a
clockwise direction.
North: 0o
East: 90o
South: 180o
West: 270o
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Finding Directions on a Map: Compass Bearings
Finding thedirection of a
location usingcompassbearings
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Measuring Distances on a Map
Measuring straight-line distance:
Use a ruler to measure the length between
two points on the map.
Use the scale of the map to find the actual
distance on the ground.
If the scale of the map is 1: 10 000, then alength of 1 centimetre on the map means that
the distance between two points is 10 000
centimetres on the ground.
Another way to measure straight-line distance
between two points is to mark out the distance
on a piece of paper and measure it against the
scale.
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Measuring Distances on a Map
Measuring curved distance:
Place one end of a string at the startingpoint and hold it down firmly.
Use the string to trace the path.
When the ending point is reached, makea mark on the string.
Remove the string, straighten and
measure it against the scale or a ruler.
Use the scale to convert the length to the
actual distance on the ground.
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Measuring Distances on a MapMeasuring curved distance: Another way to
measure the curved distance between two points is
to use the straight edge of a piece of paper.
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Interpreting the Physical Environment shownon a Topographical Map
The physical environment consists of physical
features such as plants and hills
Relief refers to the physical shape and slope of
the Earths surface
One common way of showing relief of aparticular area on a
topographic map is
through the use of
contour lines.
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Using Contoursto Represent Relief
A contour is an imaginary line joining places of thesame height above sea level.
Contours tell us about the shape and slope of the land.
Contour lines that are close together represent steepslopes.
Contour lines that are far apart represent gentle slopes.
When there are no contour lines or the contours are veryfar apart in an area, it means that the land is almost flat.
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Contour Patterns and Physical FeaturesHills and mountains
Contours joined in a circular fashion with the contour linesincreasing in height towards the centre
A hill is gently sloping andless than 600 m high
A mountain rises to a height of morethan 600 m above the Earths surface
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Contour Patterns and Physical Features
Valley
Contours point towards higher ground, formingan inverted V from the top to the bottom.
Streams or rivers found in valleys are drawn as
blue lines on maps.
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Contour Patterns and Physical Features
Plateau
A plateau is an upland area
It has steep slopes and a flat summit
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Contour Patterns and Physical Features
Ridge
A ridge is a linear or elongated upland area
t ti th i t Sh
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Interpreting the Human Environment Shownon a Topographical Map
The human environment consists of human features
such as roads, buildings and plantations.Settlements
Usually represented by black squares or rectangles on maps
Using symbols, map makers are able to show the shapes andsizes of settlements and their distribution
By looking at a map, it is possibleto find out why a settlementhas grown at a certain site
I t ti th H E i t Sh
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Interpreting the Human Environment Shownon a Topographical Map
Transport networks
Roads, railways and canals are shown on maps as lines Roads are usually represented by red lines
Railways are usually represented by black lines
Canals are usually represented by blue lines
Locations of roads and railways are often affected by therelief of the land
Most maps reveal therelationship between thelocation of roads andrailways to the locationof settlements
I t ti th H E i t Sh
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Interpreting the Human Environment Shownon a Topographical Map
Land use
Maps provide a picture of the land use in an area By checking the symbols used on the maps against the legend,
we can find out the types of crops grown, the amount of landunder cultivation, and the presence of any agricultural as wellas industrial activities
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Understanding Physical and HumanEnvironments Shown on a Topographical Map
We can interpret the environments on a topographical
map systematically by using the questions below:
Is the land steeply sloping or gently sloping?
What are the main physical features in this area?
Where do people live?
Why do people live where they do?
How well connected are the settlements by
transportation?
What are the human activities carried out in the place?
Skill B ild S t d A
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Skills Builder: Suggested Answer
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Additional Resources from Multimedia TEACH Resources
Photo Bank
Photo 5-1The desert hills ofthe Capitol Reef
National Park aregently-sloping. Ona topographicalmap, these hills are
represented bywidely-spacedcontour lines.
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Additional Resources from Multimedia TEACH Resources
Photo Bank
Photo 5-2A plateau (in the background) in Bruce Canyon NationalPark is characterised by steep slopes and a flat top.
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Additional Resources from Multimedia TEACH Resources
Photo Bank
Photo 5-3
The contours of this steep-sided rock cliff would
be closely spaced on a topographical map.
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