Sanskriti The Gurukul

Ch 1 Mapping the Earth

SC VI (2021-22)

Students can take a printout and paste it in the Geography fair copy.

Q1. What is a map?

Ans: A map is a graphical representation of the whole Earth or a part of it, either
two-dimensional or three-dimensional, drawn on a reduced scale on a flat surface or
digitised (computer-assisted).

Q2. What is an Atlas?

Ans: An Atlas is a compilation of maps showing both physical (mountains, rivers,
plains, peaks etc) and political features (boundaries), continents and oceans. It may
also show the climatic regions, ocean currents, soil and natural vegetation,
agricultural, minerals and industrial regions, transport routes etc.

Q3. What is a globe?

Ans: A globe is a three-dimensional miniature model of the Earth which is spherical
in shape. It shows us the continents and oceans along with the countries retaining
its shape but not its size.

Q4. How is a map different from a globe?

Ans: [Points to note while writing the Questions on ‘Difference between’, ‘Differentiate between’:
1. It must be answered in 2 separate columns.
2. Each point must be numbered.
3. The points across the columns must match e.g. large vs small, dark vs light etc.
4. Examples are NOT considered.

Map Globe
i. A map may be either two- A globe is always 3 dimensional.
dimensional or three
dimensional.
ii. A map shows either the whole A globe shows the whole Earth.
Earth or a part of it.
iii. A map may show either the A globe always shows the correct
correct shape of a continent but shape of the whole Earth but never the
may distort the size or vice- true size of the Earth.
versa.
iv. A map may be either enlarged or Once a globe is manufactured, it can
reduced multiple times not undergo reduction or enlargement.
 depending on the requirement of
the user.

Q5. What are the utilities of a map?

Ans: The utilities of a map are as follows:
1. Maps help us to locate places.
2. It provides us with information about places.
3. It is used in automobiles, sea navigation and aviation industries.
4. It is used for trekking, hiking and such outdoor activities.
5. It shows us the direction and scale between any two places.
6. It is used by students, teachers, researchers etc. as a learning-teaching tool.

Q6. What does G.I.S. stand for? What does it mean?

Ans: G.I.S stands for Geographical Information Systems.

G.I.S. is a complex system of data/ information collection, storing, editing/

manipulation and integrating the data with the actual coordinates of a place (point of
intersection of parallel of lat. and meridian of long.). It uses hardware and software
along with Remote Sensing Technology and Global Positioning System (G.P.S.).

Q7. What is meant by Cartography? Who is a Cartographer?

Ans: Cartography is an art as well as a science of map-making.
A cartographer is a person who pursues an academic course in map making/ or
someone whose profession is to produce maps.

Q8. What are the different kinds of maps?

Ans: The different kinds of maps are as follows:

a) Physical map: Maps showing natural/ physical/ relief features viz.

Mountains, plateaus, plains, mountain peak, ocean, seas, lakes, rivers,
etc.
e.g. World Map: Mountains and the plateaus.

b) Political map: Maps showing continents, countries, states and its

boundaries.
e.g. Map of India: States and its capital cities.

c) Thematic map: Maps showing a particular theme/ topic.

e.g.: Map of Assam: Rice growing areas,
Map of India: Distribution of coal and iron-ore.
 d) Topographic map: A large-scale map showing both the physical and
the man-made/ cultural features (settlement, places of worship, roads
etc). It provides greater information.

Q9 What are the different elements of a map?

Ans: The different elements of a map are as follows:
a) Title: Title of a map is the name of the map. It is always placed at the top-
center of the map. e.g. India: Natural vegetation and wildlife.

b) Scale of a map: Scale of a map refers to the ratio of the distance between any
two points on the map and its corresponding distance on the ground.

c) Direction: The direction of a place can be determined by referring to the North

Arrow placed on the top-right corner of the map.

There are 4 main/ cardinal directions. They are:

i) N-North,
ii) E- East,
iii) W-West, and
iv) S- South.

There are 4 intermediate directions. They are:

i) North-east,
ii) North-west,
iii) South-east,
iv) South-west

d) Symbols: Various symbols are used in the map which acts as a short-hand
script for a map-user. The conventional signs and symbols are easy to
understand and makes the map look neater. They are also universally used.

e) Legend/ Index/ Key: The legend/ index/ key explains what the symbols used
on the map means. It is usually placed on the bottom right corner of the map
but if there is less space than it is placed either horizontally at the bottom or
vertically on the right side of the map.

f) Geographical Grid: The parallels of latitude and the meridians of longitude

are collectively called the Geographical Grid (Graticule). The intersection of
the parallel of lat. and meridian of long. helps in determination of the exact
location of a place.
Q 10. How can ‘scale of a map’ be shown on a map?
Ans: The ‘scale of a map’ can be expressed in three ways. They are:
i. Scale of Statement/ Verbal scale: When the scale of a map is expressed in
a statement form it is called the Scale of Statement/ Verbal Scale. E.g. 1 cm to 25
km.
ii. Linear Scale/ Graphical Scale: When a linear scale is shown with primary
and secondary divisions and distances in between them being equispaced, it is
called the Linear Scale/ Graphical Scale.

iii. Representative Fraction/ R.F.: When the scale of a map is expressed in a

ratio with the numerator always being one (1) and when no units of measurement
(cm, km, inches, feet) is added to it, such a scale of a map is called the
Representative Fraction or simply R.F.

Q 11. How can we divide maps depending on the map scale?

Ans: Wecan divide maps depending on the map scale into two. They are:
a) Large-scale map: When a map covers a small area (locality/ village) but
shows greater details. e.g. 1 cm on the map shows 500 metres on the ground.

b) Small-scale map: When a map covers a large area (continents/ countries) but
shows less details. e.g. 1 cm on the map shows 500 km on the ground.

Q 12. What is a sketch and plan?

Ans: A sketch is a rough drawing, not to scale, based on memory or observations.
A plan is a large-scale map which shows detailed drawing of a small area. It is
always drawn to scale. A plan shows the shape and position of objects (entrance,
door, window, corridor etc.). e.g. Plan map of a school, hospital, shopping mall etc.

Q 13. What is the difference between a sketch and a plan?

Ans:
Sketch Plan
i. A sketch is drawn mainly A plan is based on actual measurement
based on memory/ and size.
observation.
ii. There is no scale used. Scale is used.
iii. Drawing may not be Drawings are very accurate.
accurate.

Broaden your Cartographic horizon:

Q1. Name a few famous cartographers.
Ans: Gerardus Mercator, Ptolemy, Eratosthenes and Al-Idrisi are a few famous
cartographers.

Q2. Who is considered as the first Cartographer in the world?

Ans: Anaximander (Greek philosopher) is considered as the first cartographer in the
world.

Q3. Where do we find the oldest map in the world?

Ans: The oldest map called the Babylonian Map of the World [the Imago Mundi]
could be traced to the ancient Babylonians [south-central Mesopotamia which is
present day Iraq and Syria]. It is currently on display at the British Museum in
London, the U.K.