GEOGRAPHY

 MAP READING AND INTERPRETATION.

Map

Is the representations of earth surface into a piece of paper, wood or wall by using scale.

MAP READING

Is the process of identifying features on a map by using symbols and signs or names.

Map interpretation - refers to interpretation of the symbols and signs used on map into ordinary language by indicating the features they represent and draw logical conclusion from the information as represented by the symbols.

IMPORTANCE OF MAP READING

a) Geological maps provides information about the type and distribution of rocks in an area

- helps to obtain certain rocks for construction

- used by mineral prospectors to locate possible areas where they can obtain mineral.

b) Relief map provide information to many people in many ways

- how to overcome relief barriers in their construction plan

- important to large scale farmers to determine possibility of mechanization of agriculture

c) Drainage maps are useful to civil engineers , enable to get prior knowledge on how to construct different infrastructure such as roads, railways and bridges.

- indicate source of water for irrigation of crops, watering livestock.

d) vegetation map shows the distribution and type of vegetation in a region which gives the information on kinds of social and economic activities that can be Carried out in an area.

e) soil maps are useful to agricultural activities to know the kind of crops grown in an area according to the type of soil, also to get knowledge for soil management practices.

f) maps provide information on the relationship between phenomena or events, for example. volcanoes, earthquake, tsunami, floods.

g) maps provide valuable information for statistical analysis

ESSENTIAL OF MAP

A. Title 

- refer to everything the map cover. 

- it could be name of country. eg. Tanzania, kenya, uganda e.t.c

B. Key

- it provides more information about symbols and signs contained on the map.

C. Margin/ Boundary

- it is essential that all maps be enclosed in a frame for neatness.

D. North direction

- this is the direction towards the north in those maps drawn to grid system

E. Date 

- The date of publication should be present.

F. Scale

- is shows the relationship between map distance and ground distance . eg. 1:50,000

TYPES OF SCALES

a) Large scale

- is a kind of scale that take place on small area.

- the size of the features represented is large in size

- it take part on the area like a farm, village, ward e.g 1:5,000

b) Medium scale

- is a kind of scale which takes part on medium size of area.

- size of features being represented is also medium in size. e.g 1: 20,000

c) Small scale

- is the type of scale that used to represent large areas. 

- the size of features being represented is  e.g 1:50,000

WAYS OF REPRESENTING SCALE

a) Statement Scale

- this is a map scale stated in words / verbal scale. e.g . One centimeter to one kilometer

b) Representative fraction

- means expressing the relative size of a map / drawn by fraction or ratio. e.g 1/50,000 or  1:50,000

c) Linear scale

- is the line showing the distance on the map that represents a given distance on the ground. 

We will continue in next session

Prepared by sindano fm

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