Reading Maps and Scale

About this topic

Maps use a few standard tools so that anyone can interpret them. The title says what the map shows, the legend (key) explains symbols and colours, the compass rose shows direction, and the scale relates map distance to real distance. Learning to use these quickly is the first step in any geography task, from planning a hike to analysing a data map in an exam.

Scale can be a ratio (1:50,000, meaning 1 cm on the map equals 50,000 cm, or 500 m, on the ground), a statement (1 cm to 1 km) or a bar scale. Worked example: if two villages are 6 cm apart on a 1:50,000 map, the real distance is 6 x 50,000 = 300,000 cm, which is 3 km. Larger-scale maps (1:10,000) show small areas in detail; smaller-scale maps (1:1,000,000) show large areas with less detail. This confuses many students: a large scale has a small number on the bottom of the ratio.

To measure a curved route such as a river or footpath, lay string along it, then straighten the string against the bar scale, or mark the edge of a piece of paper. Maps can be physical, political, thematic or topographic, and each type suits a different purpose. Always check the date of a map too, since roads, towns and coastlines change, and remember that direction on most maps is read with north at the top unless the compass rose says otherwise.