S1 Geography Map Reading Skills

3. What are conventional signs?

Conventional signs are symbols used on maps to represent different features. The 1:20,000
topographic maps produced by the Survey and Mapping Office have used different colours and
patterns to represent various features. The 1:5,000 survey maps are printed in black and white. Only
symbols are used to represent different features on these maps.

Selected conventional signs of a 1:20,000 map in Hong Kong

We can group these conventional signs according to their colours and shapes.

Colour Kind of feature Colour Kind of feature

Grey Buildings, built-up Green Plants / Greenery /
areas Green field
Red line Main roads Blue Water bodies
Black line Railways or footpaths Brown Relief of land

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 S1 Geography Map Reading Skills

4. How can we tell a location by a grid system?

What is a grid square?

We can usually find a pattern of vertical lines and horizontal lines dividing a map into a number of
squares. These lines are called grid lines and the squares formed are called grid squares. We can use
them to tell a location.

How can we tell a location using a grid square?

The vertical lines are called eastings. The horizontal lines are called northings. When we name a grid
square, we must read the eastings first, followed by the northings. This is also known as 4-figure grid
reference.

24
1. Colour the eastings in red.
2. Colour the northings in blue.
A
E 3. Find the grid squares of points A
to E.

B A: 8222

B: 8323
23
C: 8222

D: 8322

C E: 8223

22 D
82 83 84

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S1 Geography Map Reading Skills
Exercise 2
Find the grid squares of the following tourist attractions in Hong Kong.

1. Stanley 0710
2. Victoria Peak 0611
3. Big Buddha 0311
4. High Island 0812
5. Wetland Park 0413
6. Pat Sin Leng 0714
7. Disneyland 0512
8. Gold Coast 0412

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 S1 Geography Map Reading Skills
Exercise 3
Find the grid references of Mr. Lams .
25
F

24
A

23 91 92 93 94
A: 916238 B: 923245

C: 920230 D: 936232

E: 911241 F: 937248

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 S1 Geography Map Reading Skills
Exercise 4
25
D

B
24 C

E
A

23

22 G
82 83 84 85
1. Find the grid squares of points A to G.

A: 8223 B: 8224 C: 8324 D: 8424

E: 8423 F: 8322 G: 8422

2. Find the 6-figure grid references of points A to G.

A: 824/5235 B: 829241/2 C: 833/4240 D: 845249

E: 840236 F: 837224 G: 840220

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S1 Geography Map Reading Skills

5. How can we locate a place using direction?

How are directions shown on maps?

A. By compass points
There are four main compass points. They are north, east, south and west.

There are also four other points between the compass points mentioned above. They are NE, NW, SE
and SW.

B. By whole-circle bearings
Whole circle bearing is a more accurate way to show directions by using 360 degrees of a circle.

North is represented by 0֯ and 360֯.

East is represented by 90֯.

South is represented by 180֯.

West is represented by 270֯.

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S1 Geography Map Reading Skills
C. By reduced bearings

The third way to show directions is called reduced bearing which combines compass points and
whole-circle bearing.
N

N22.5°W N22.5°E
N45°E
N45°W

N67.5°E
N67.5°W

E
W

S67.5°E
S67.5°W

S45°E
S45°W
S22.5°W S22.5°E
S

Exercise 5
Refer to Exercise 4 on P.13.

1. What is the compass point from

(a) point A to point E? NE
(b) point C to point B? NW
(c) point F to point G? SE

2. What is the whole circle bearing from (+/-__°)

(a) point G to point F? 326°
(b) point D to point A? 236°
(c) point C to point E? 119°

3. What is the reduced bearing from (+/-__°)

(a) point B to point E? S62°E
(b) point D to point G? S12°W
(c) point F to point B? N22°W
(d) point A to point B? N33°E
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