Answer key

Prepared by: learnloophq@gmail.com

Last edited 43 days ago by Learn LoopHQ.

Chapter: 02. Elements Of A Map

⁠

The grid system is a network of imaginary horizontal (latitudes) and vertical (longitudes) lines drawn on maps and globes. Latitudes measure angular distance north or south of the Equator, while longitudes measure angular distance east or west of the Prime Meridian. This system is crucial because it provides a unique “address” for every specific point on Earth’s surface. By knowing a place’s latitude and longitude coordinates, one can precisely pinpoint its exact position on any map or globe, which is fundamental for navigation, geographical analysis, and accurate communication of locations.

⁠

Latitudes are horizontal lines that run east-west, parallel to the Equator, and measure angular distance north or south. Their length decreases towards the poles, where they become points. The Equator is the 0° latitude and is a Great Circle. In contrast, longitudes are vertical lines that run north-south, from pole to pole, and measure angular distance east or west of the Prime Meridian. All longitudes are semicircles of the same length, and the Prime Meridian (0°) along with the 180° longitude divides the Earth into Eastern and Western Hemispheres, also aiding in time determination.

⁠

The map’s legend, or key, is crucial because it acts as a dictionary, explaining the meaning of all colours, signs, and symbols used. Without it, the map’s information would be uninterpretable, making it impossible to understand the features depicted. Conventional signs and symbols are internationally agreed-upon representations of natural and man-made features. Their standardization allows people from different countries to easily understand maps globally, making maps a universal form of communication that transcends language barriers.

⁠

Maps rely on five fundamental elements to convey information effectively. The Title clearly states the map’s subject, while Direction (often with a North arrow) helps orient the viewer. The Scale indicates the ratio between map distances and actual ground distances, allowing for real-world measurements. A Legend or Key is vital for explaining all the symbols, signs, and colours used. Finally, the Grid System, consisting of latitudes and longitudes, provides a precise framework for locating specific points.

⁠

Colours play a significant role in maps by making them attractive, easy to understand, and quick to interpret. On physical maps, specific colours are conventionally assigned to different features for clarity. For instance, light blue represents perennial water bodies like oceans and rivers, while dark green indicates natural vegetation or forests. Orange is typically used for highlands such as hills, mountains, and plateaux, and light green signifies lowlands or plains, providing immediate visual cues about the terrain and features.

⁠

Map scales are represented in three distinct ways. A Verbal or Statement Scale uses words to directly express the relationship, such as “1 cm to 5 km,” making it easy to understand the equivalence. The Graphical or Linear Scale is a visual bar divided into segments, each representing a certain real-world distance, which is useful for direct measurement on the map. Lastly, the Representative Fraction (RF) is a ratio, like 1:50,000, where the numerator (always 1) represents map distance and the denominator represents ground distance, both expressed in the same unit.

⁠

Want to print your doc?
This is not the way.

Try clicking the ⋯ next to your doc name or using a keyboard shortcut (

CtrlP

) instead.