Maps

1. Maps • Maps are models of reality. • Geographers have divided maps into three classifications: • NATURAL MAPS – The most common type is relief maps that show the shape of the land. Mountains, hills, lakes and rivers are the types of natural features displayed. Some natural maps also show the amount of rainfall or the type of geology (rocks). • CULTURAL MAPS – These maps show cultural features like roads, buildings, airports and canals. The Auckland A-Z is a good example of a cultural map. Political boundaries and economic factors may also appear on cultural maps. • GENERAL MAPS – These are maps which displays a combination of natural and cultural features. The amount of detail displayed on these maps depends on the size of the map’s scale. • Large scale general maps are commonly called topographical maps

2. Mapping Rules Maps need to have 6 essential items to make them accurate and useful. A good way to remember these six things is by using the F.A.C.K.T.S. accronom. rame rrow North olour – use appropriate colours for features. Eg: lake = blue. fackts ey itle – specific to what the map is showing cale Task: Complete the map of New Zealand provided to show the list of features. Show these by using an appropriate dot, symbol or shading and don’t forget to use all of your FACKTS.

3. Map Symbols Homework Task – Use an Atlas or Local Area map book to find the symbols for the following features, then draw these symbols into your exercise book.

4. Direction Direction helps us to locate features on a topographic map and this is done using compass points. There are four main points to a compass called the cardinal points, and within these, are four more points called the inter-cardinal points. Combined, these make up an 8 point compass. (note: a further 8 points can be added to obtain even greater accuracy). N W E Task: Fill in the missing compass points NW NNW NNE SSE SSW WNW S ESE SE WSW ENE NE SW

5. A map requires a scale to be representitive of the information it is showing. scale • The scale of a map can be shown in 3 ways: • As a statement 1cm = 1km • As a line or linear scale • As a ratio 1 : 100 0 10 20 30 m • The third option is the most confusing • TAsKS: • Use an atlas to find the scale ratios for the following maps…..write them down. • A map of the North Island • A map of New Zealand • A map of the Pacific • A map of the World • A map of Auckland City • A map of Australia Question??? What happens to the area of land covered as the ratio increases???

6. Calculating Ratios The best way to think about the ratio is to think of it in terms of the number of times an area of land has been reduced to fit the page Therefore, maps that have only been reduced a few times have a large scale. Eg: 1 : 2. We can see a lot of detail on these maps. Maps that have been reduced many times have a small scale. Eg: 1 : 250 000. We don’t see much detail on these maps. Working out ratio number – 3 Hints • Both parts of the ratio need to be in the same units. Eg: cm • At year 11, the types of maps you will be expected to do are likely to be in centimetres. • The gereral rule is the ratio begins with ‘1: _’

7. examples • Example One: converting 1 cm = 1 m • To convert this ratio, we need both parts to be in centimetres. We know that there is 100cm in 1m, so 1m can easily become 100cm. • The ratio is therefore, 1 : 100 • Example Two: 1cm = 600km • First, how many cm in a kilometre? • Answer = 100,000 • Then, multiply 100,000(cm) by 600(km) • = 60,000,000cm • The ratio is 1 : 60,000,000 • Ok…now try converting these statements into ratios…. • 0.5cm represents 1km • 0.5cm represents 1m • 2cm represents 500m • HINT: Make the first figure = 1cm. Whatever you had to do to that part, do to the second part. This will help simplify the maths…..!!!!

8. Grid references on maps provide the exact location of features. These are the vertical and horizontal lines that are drawn in a numbered sequence. Grid References Grid lines are known as eastings and northings. The vertical lines tell you how far east you are and are called eastings. The horizontal lines show how far north you are and are called northings. Using grid references to find locations Grid references can either by 4 or 6 digits. Grid references or co-ordinates always read eastings first then northigs (horizontal point, vertical point). A way to remember this is the rhyme: ‘You learn to crawl before you can climb’

9. example Take a 6 digit co-ordinate, 612042. The first 3 digits are the eastings - 612 The second 3 digits are thenorthings- 042 The first two numbers of each point refer to the actual grid line – 61 or 04 The third number refers to where it sits in the grid box. Imagine that each box is divided into 10 segments (ie: 610 sits directly on the 61 line while 615 sits half way between the 61 and 62 lines. 2 05 5 x 2 04 5 61 62 In this case, both are sitting at two, so imagine that there are two imaginery grid lines drawn at 612 and 042. The co-ordinate point sits where these two meet.

10. Precis Maps Precis maps are drawn to simplify the content of a topographic map. This is done by only drawing the features relevant to the purpose of the map. Eg: Land Use types. Rules for drawing precis maps: 1. Know the purpose for drawing the map. What are you trying to show? What will be left out? 2. Be simple. Do NOT include irrelevant details. 3. Be large and clear. Use colour and be BOLD. Don’t draw faint lines that cannot be seen easily!!! 4. Be neat! Untidy maps make map reading difficult! 5. Don’t forget your FACKTS!!! They count here too!