Name

:
NRP
:
Department :
Class
:

Fristama Abrianto
3512100018
Geomatics engineering
TPB 11

Types of Map Scales

Basically all maps have a scale. Maps scales are comparison of distance on map with
real distance (on the ground). There are two types of map scales, that are Graphic scale and
Numeric scale (fractional method). A Graphic Scale depicts scale using a line, similar to a
ruler. On Graphic scale, one side of the scale represents the distance on the map, while the
other side represents the true distances of real objects. Numeric scale is the fractional method
to illustrate the scale of the map by calculating ratio between the map and the real world. If
scales have been written on map is 1:500.000 or 1/500.000, its means 1 unit of distance on
the map represents 500.000 of the same units of distance in the real world. In this example
that 1 cm on the map represents 500.000 cm in the real ground / world. There are many
benefits to using a graphic scale. It is easy to determine scale, just measure with a ruler. And
than if a maps size is enlarged or decreased, the scale is also enlarged or reduced, so size and
scales are same. Meanwhile, the numeric scale provides an easy to calculate the distance
without compare it. However, usually the map using all scales, for facilitate to reading maps.
So, whatever you want to do.