Geography Revision Maps

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Measuring Distance

Scale- eg. 1:25000 means 1CM is equivalent to 25000CM on the map. This is 250M

You can measure distances by:

Using the squares on the map. Each side is 1KM and each diagonal is 1.5KM

Using a string and pen to measure windy paths

You can use the edge of a piece of paper and a pen too

Understanding scale

Large scale maps show more detail and are good for showing local features or for developers. Small scale maps show more land and are better for motorists or long journeys or seeing a whole country.

Reliefs and contour lines

Contour lines show the same height. When they are close together the ground is steep. When they are far apart the ground is flat.

'Naismith's rule'

When you're travelling across steep landscapes (where contour lines are very close together) it will add time onto your journey.

Naismith said that you should allow an extra minute of walking time for every 10 metres of height that you climb.

Contour lines are usually drawn at 10 metre intervals on a 1:50 000 scale map and at 5 metre intervals on a 1:25 000 scale map.

Grid References

Each square on an Ordnance Survey map is 1KM by 1KM which is 1KM squared.

Grid references have Eastings (X-axis) and Northings (Y-axis)

Need to understand four grid and six grid references. Six grid references point to a point within each square is 100M (because one square is 1KM and each six grid reference divides the square into 10 x 10 squares

National grid divides the country into 100KM by 100KM squares with letters

Each of these letters then has a grid reference e.g. SK623317

Compass bearings

16-point compass bearing is a simple way of measuring direction, e.g. NNE or NEE

A bearing compass is more detailed. Most have a direction of travel arrow as well as the magnetic needle.

Degrees are like circle = 360 degrees, always written with 3 digits, e.g. 10 degrees is 010 degrees.

Using a compass - line it up on the map between the two points you want to travel between. Turn the direction arrow to the top of the map. Then take the compass off and make magnetic needle follow direction arrow.