Introduction to Map

What is a map ?

A map is the representation of the surface of earth as a whole or a part of the earth, with convectional signs, drawn to a scale and projection so that each and every point on it correspond to the actual position of the earth.

Elements of a Map

There are the elements of a map (figure_)

i)                Scale

ii)              Title

iii)             Legend

iv)             Projection

v)              North Arrow

Scale: Scale is representation of the two points on the earth and same as on map. We all knows that we cant represent earth’s features with their actual size that’s why reduction is necessary to display features of earth.

Scale is ratio of distance on a map over the corresponding distance on the ground. Map scale is also relation between the dimensions of a map and the dimensions of the earth.

Title: Title of map indicates the purpose of map. Without having title on map we cant know that for what kind of map is this or what is the purpose of map and what is shown over the map.

Legend: Through legend of map we came to know that what features are shown over the map and which symbol is used for which purpose.

figure i :- Map Elements

Projection: Map projection is a systematic drawing of latitude and longitude on a plane surface for the for the whole earth or a part of it on a scale so that any point on the earth surface may correspond to that on the drawing. In other words, map projection is system to project 3 dimensional earth surface to 2 dimensional plane paper drawn on certain scale, and applied some mathematical formulas so that distortions can be removed from the projected area.

North Arrow: North  arrow depicts North direction of map. It is always in UP direction. Knowing the North of arrow helps to understand other geographical direction.