Maps and Scales

Maps and Scales

1. Map scale refers to the relationship between distance on the map and the corresponding distance on the ground

2. For example, on a 1 : 100000 scale map, 1cm on the map = 1km on the ground

3. What is scale?

   • Scale is what makes map drawing possible
     • It takes real life things and reduces them in size many times so they can be shown on a map

4. Maps can be drawn to represent a variety of infomation

5. A ratio or representative fraction indicates how many units on the earth's surface is equal to one unit on the map

6. Ratios

   • Example : A map has a scale of 1 : 25000. This means that 1cm on the map is 25000cm in real life
   • Ratios are uesd in everyday life and can help you work out problems including scale drawings and reading maps