Unit 2 Elements of a map.pdf
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The document discusses elements of maps, including: 1. Maps contain specific elements like a title, key, compass, and scale to help readers understand the information represented. 2. Contours are lines on maps that connect points of equal elevation and show the shape and steepness of landscapes. 3. Relief on maps can be shown through methods like layer tinting, contours, spot heights, and hachures that represent elevation changes through color shading and line spacing.
Unit 2 Elements of a map.pdf
- 1. Unit two: Elements of a map Map of Africa
- 2. Introduction What is a map? A map is a representation of the features of an area of the earth on a flat surface. The area could be on land or sea. A map usually shows physical features such as mountains, rivers, valleys, cities, roads, etc.
- 3. Elements of a map A good map has specific features. These features are commonly referred to as the elements of a map. N.B: The elements of a map are not part of the information that is represented in a map. They are therefore usually placed at the margins.
- 5. Is this map good? Either way, explain why.
- 6. The following are the major elements of a good map. Element Description Title This shows the information that is contained in a map. A key It helps a map reader to understand the symbols, colours and signs used. A key is important since it helps one to understand the contents of a map in detail A compass This shows the direction of various features that are shown on map. The directions are usually in relation to the cardinal points of a compass. They are North, South, West and East. Scale This shows the relationship between the distance on the map and that of the ground. A scale helps cartographers to draw a large area of the earth’s surface on a small sheet of a paper. Frame This is a line that surrounds a map showing its limitation
- 7. Symbols and signs used on maps A symbol is something that is used for or regarded as representing something else. The symbols are usually in the form of short-hand characters, pictorial presentations or colours.
- 8. Some of the features represented on a key are shown below
- 10. Drawing sketch maps A sketch map is an outline map that is drawn from observation. It does not use exact measurements. It only shows the main features of an area. Characteristics of sketch maps
- 11. Sketch maps have the following features that distinguish them from other maps. • They are drawn roughly. • They are not drawn to the scale. • They represent few features for the interests of the user. • They are less detailed as compared to topographical maps. • They are simple and hence easy to understand. • They have the elements of a good map such as the title, key, frame and compass.
- 12. Steps involved in drawing a sketch map 1.Identify and point out the features to be represented. 2.Place the identified elements in order according to the divisions of the landscape (background, middle ground and the fore ground) 3.Draw the actual sketch map, representing it in a simple way. 4.Select a suitable title that accurately shows the purpose of the sketch map.
- 13. Sketch map of school
- 14. Homework •Draw a sketch map of Hope Haven School.
- 15. Indicators of relief on maps •The term relief in geography refers to the nature and outlook of a landscape. •Relief usually refers to the highest and lowest elevation points in an area. •Mountains and ridges are the highest elevation points, while valleys are the lowest.
- 16. The relief features represented on maps include the following: •Mountains •Hills •Rivers •Lakes •Plains (low land areas) •Escarpments/ rift valley • Fault lines •Swamps
- 17. Methods of presenting relief on maps 1. Layer tinting: This is the use of color to show different relief features in relation to various heights. The color or shade used varies from dark shades (Higher Altitudes) to light shades (Lower altitudes). 2.Trigonometric stations: These are fixed surveying stations that are used for land surveys. They are of three types:
- 18. Layer tinting
- 19. 3.Spot heights These are dots used to represent specific areas on a topographical map.
- 20. 4. Contours are lines drawn on maps joining areas with the same height above sea level. They show both the height and steepness of a place. Characteristics of contour lines ✓These lines are usually drawn at intervals called contour intervals. ✓The contour lines never cross each other. ✓The lines are usually brown in color. ✓In steep areas, the lines are very close to each other. ✓In areas with gentle gradients, the lines are far apart. ✓They have the height number written on them. ✓They are drawn based on a specific and uniform interval.
- 23. Interpretation of contours on a topographical map Contours are used on maps to represent various landforms like: ❖Conical hills: These are types of hills that have round tops with slopes that are similar in gradient and appearance. Contour lines representing a conical hill with uneven gradient
- 24. ❖Flat-topped hills: their tops are generally flat. The contour lines representing these hills are wide apart at the top, but start getting close together towards the lower parts of the hills.
- 25. • Hills with depressions: These are hills which have depressions at their tops. They are represented by contours that are ring shaped.
- 26. • Depression craters: these are hills or mountains that have deep depressions usually containing water. An example is Mt. Bisoke in Rwanda. Such hills or mountains are represented by ring-shaped contour lines. Mt Bisoke crater
- 27. • Ridges: This is an elongated or stretched out hill, or a range of hills that are close together. The contour lines representing ridges are elongated or sometimes oval shaped. Ridge are separated from each other by gaps called saddles which are broad gaps or cols which are narrow gaps Ridge
- 28. • Escarpments: These are physical features that have two distinctively different slopes. ❖Steep side (scarp slope) is represented by contours close together ❖Gentle side (dip slope) is represented by contours that are far apart from each other.
- 29. • Slopes: A slope refers to the surface of the earth whereby one end is at a higher level than the other. Types of slopes and how they are represented on topographical maps 1. Concave slope: The contours that represent this slope are close together towards the top because the land is steep at the top and gently slopes towards the base.
- 30. •Convex slopes: This is a slope that is gentle towards the top and steep towards the base and the contours are widely spaced at top and closely spaced at base.
- 32. ❖Steep slope: this represented by contours that are very close together. This is due to the uniform steepness of the slopes or land.
- 33. ❖Gentle slopes: this is represented by contours that are uniformly spaced because the slope is uniformly gentle.
- 34. ❖Flat land or plains: This is represented by contours that are uniformly widely spaced. E.g. swamps.
- 35. ❖Even slope: This is a slope where the land has an almost similar gradient. The contour lines are equally spaced.
- 36. There are other indicators of relief used on maps ✓Hachuring: This method is used to show the altitude of an area with steep gradients and are represented using short parallel lines. However, they do not reveal the actual heights. Hachuring
- 37. ✓Pictorial method: It uses symbols based on the appearance of the features. It shows how features appear from above. For example, mountains are raised while valleys are sunken. Valleys are sunken
- 38. ✓Hill shading: this represent relief by carefully using light and shadow. The darker expressions are used to represent the steep slopes. Shading Bright expressions are used to represent hill tops and areas with gentle gradients like valley bottoms and plains or flat lands.
- 39. The darker expressions are used to represent the steep slopes Bright expressions are used to represent hill tops and areas with gentle gradients like valley bottoms and plains or flat lands.
- 40. What indicator of relief used on map below?
- 41. What indicator of relief used on map below?
- 42. Maps and aerial photographs Map is a representation on a flat surface of a whole or part of an area. Maps represent parts of the earth’s surface drawn to scale. A photograph is a picture created using a camera and stored digitally. An aerial photograph is a picture of the earth’s surface taken from above. Aerial Photo Map of Kigali
- 46. A map showing the districts of Rwanda.
- 47. Difference between maps and aerial photographs Maps Aerial Photographs This is a representation of a part of the earth’s surface is a picture taken from a raised platform representing a small of an area They are drawn to scale. Not taken to scale. It represents a relatively large area. It only covers a small area or object. The features used on a map are interpreted by use of symbols. The features are clearly seen without the use of symbols. A map is sometimes difficult to interpret. An aerial photograph is easy to interpret. It is prepared selectively. shows all features that are near a place, A map is difficult to come up with. It is relatively easier to take a photograph A map has a key that helps readers to interpret and understand it. An aerial photograph has no key. A map has no skyline An aerial photograph has a skyline A map has a compass that shows the direction of various parts on it. An aerial photograph does not have a compass
- 48. Atlas index An atlas is a collection of maps of the Earth or regions of the Earth. However, there are atlases of other planets too. An atlas is usually a bound book with a collection of maps. Atlases usually present geographical features, political boundaries, geopolitical, social, religious and economic statistics. An atlas index is a detailed alphabetical listing of names, places and topics. Elements of an atlas index ❖It shows various topics and names of places. ❖It is at the last pages of the atlas. ❖It lists a summary of the specific contents of the atlas. ❖It acts as a pointer. ❖It directs the reader to specific pages where given topics ❖It follows a systematic alphabetical or numerical order.
- 50. End of unit assessment S1B/20marks 1. What is a map? 2marks 2. Identify and explain the elements of good map. 5marks 3. What is a contour? 2marks 4. Identify the characteristics of contours. 3marks 5. What is the difference between map and aerial photographs. 4marks 6. Name different methods of showing relief on topographical maps. 4marks
- 51. End of unit assessment S1C/20marks 1. What is an atlas? 2marks 2. Identify and explain the elements of good map. 5marks 3. Identify the characteristics of contours. 3marks 4. What is the difference between a map and aerial photograph. 5marks 5. Name 4 different methods of showing relief on topographical maps. 2marks 6. Identify 3 elements of atlas index. 3marks
- 52. End of unit assessment S1D/20marks 1. What is an atlas? 2marks 2. Identify and explain the elements of good map. 5marks 3. Identify the characteristics of contours. 3marks 4. What is the difference between a map and aerial photograph. 5marks 5. Name 4 different methods of showing relief on topographical maps. 2marks 6. Identify any 3 elements of atlas index. 3marks
- 53. End of unit assessment S1A/20marks 1. What is a sketch map? 2marks 2. Sketch maps have features that distinguish them from other maps. Name any 3 of those features. 3marks 3. Identify and explain the elements of good map. 4marks 4. Identify the characteristics of contours. 3marks 5. What is the difference between map and aerial photographs. 4marks 6. Name different methods of showing relief on topographical maps. 4marks