(a) The three components of a map are distance, direction and symbol.
(b) The four cardinal directions are North, South, East and West.
(c) The scale of the map is the ratio between the actual distance on the ground and the distance shown on the map. There are two types of maps based on scale: Large scale maps and small scale maps.
(d) 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. It is impossible to flatten a round shape and scale it. Therefore, maps are more helpful than a globe.
(e) The difference between a map and a plan is given below.
|
Map |
Plan |
|
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. |
A plan is a drawing of a small area on a large scale. |
|
Maps give detailed information about a larger portion of the earth |
A plan gives confined information about a certain small area. |
(f) Large scale maps give detailed information.
(g) Symbols represent roads, bridges, trees, railway lines, etc., through certain letters, shades, colors, pictures and lines. In this way, symbols are a convenient means of reading a map.