CLASS VI

SUBJECT- GEOGRAPHY
CHAPTER - 1 MAPPING THE EARTH

Introduction –
The Earth is our home. To know more about the world we live in, we need to study the
Earth. But the Earth is so large that it is not possible to see all of it at the same time.
So we create small models of the Earth, or parts of it, that help us to study it.

Name two representations that are used to study the Earth.

Globes and Maps are two such representations or models that are used to study the
Earth.

Define Globe -
A Globe is a three-dimensional model of the Earth. It provides an accurate picture of
the shape of the continents and oceans. It also shows the correct location of places.

However, globes are of little use when we need to study places in detail. For a detailed
study of places, we need to use maps. Globes are also big in size and cannot be stored
or carried around easily. For a detailed study of places, we need to use maps.

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Define Map –

A Map is a two –dimensional drawing of the Earth, or parts of it, drawn to scale on a
flat surface. As a map shows the features of the spherical Earth on a flat surface, it
includes some distortion of shape, area and direction. In fact, the larger the area covered
by a map, the greater is the distortion. Therefore, while a map can accurately depict a
small area, its representation of larger areas, like continents, may not be as accurate.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of globes and maps?

GLOBES MAPS
 Shape of land and water  Can show details too small
bodies are accurate to be seen on a globe
 Compass directions are  Flat and can be easily
ADVANTAGES correct folded or carried
 Distance from one location
to another is accurately
represented
 Cannot show small areas  Size, shape and relative
DISADVANTAGES in great detail location of a place may not
 Cannot be folded easily or be accurate (distorted)
carried

Differentiate between maps and globes –

From the above discussion we can say that maps are more useful to us than globes. Let
us summarize the importance of a map in the following ways –

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State the importance of Maps -

IMPORTANCE OF MAPS

Used in For planning Help us to

Academic and and understand
Administrative Development the landforms
purpose of a country

Tourists and Provide Shows

Traveller various distances
uses maps to information between
reach their like physical places,
destination features, settlements
vegetation, and exact
soil etc. in location of
Visual format streets and
buildings

The construction of maps requires skill and complex calculations as the Earth’s
curvature has to be represented on a flat sheet of paper.

What is Cartography? Who are Cartographers?

 CARTOGRAPHY – The science of map-making.

 CARTOGRAPHERS – Trained people to draw maps
 GIS (GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM) – GIS have made map making
largely computerized.

What are the different kinds of maps?

1. Political Maps- Show the boundaries of countries and states and the location of
capitals, important cities and towns. They also show major water bodies.
2. Physical Maps- Show the physical features of a region, such as rivers,
mountains, plains and plateaus.
3. Thematic Maps- Show things like the distribution of crops, minerals and natural
vegetation within a region.
4. Topographical Maps-Show the physical and cultural features of a small place in
great detail. These maps usually have a scale of 1:2, 00,000 (i.e., 1 cm on the
map represents 2km on the ground).

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With the help of the following chart along with pictures we will understand the kinds of
maps in a better way:
TYPES OF MAP IDENTIFYING FEATURES PURPOSE

Identifies political borders of Used to locate and

countries and states, location of identify countries, states
capitals, towns and cities. and cities

Political Maps

Focuses on physical features Used to identify the

such as mountains, rivers, lakes location of landmasses,
and mountain ranges waterways, oceans, rivers,
lakes, mountain ranges
etc.

Physical Maps

Identifies locations based on Used to identify the

some form of theme, such as locations with specific
resources, population, climate characteristics or where
etc. certain activities do or do
not happen

Thematic Maps

Focuses on physical and cultural Identifies locations based

features of a small place on natural and human –
made features

Topographical Maps

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What are the elements of a Map?

A map contains a large amount of information. To convey this information in a manner

that is simple and easy to understand, cartographers use certain elements that are
common to all maps. These elements are Directions, Scales, Colours, Symbols and
Legends.

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Directions -
Direction is one of the most important component/ element of a map without which the
orientation of the map will not be possible.

DIRECTIONS COMPASS

Define Cardinal Points and Intermediate Points -

The four main directions - North, South, East and West – are known as Cardinal Points.
Points that occur in between two cardinal points are known as Intermediate Points.
Northeast, Southeast, Northwest and Southwest are intermediate points.

How directions are shown on the maps?

Directions are usually shown with the help of an arrow drawn on the upper corner of
the map. This arrow points to the north and it has the letter ‘N’ written above it. From
this point, all other directions – both cardinal and intermediate – can be derived.

What are the main uses of a compass?

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Define Map Scale –

A Map Scale is the ratio of the distance between two places on the map, to the actual
distance between the two places on the ground.

Maps are incomplete without a scale - Give reason.

To show an area accurately on a map, distances between places on the ground have to
be reduced proportionately before plotting them on the map. To do this, a scale is used.
Map scale is important to find out the actual distance between places shown on a map.

If a map is drawn to a scale of 1cm equals 1km, it means that places on the map that
are 1cm apart are actually 1km away from each other on the ground.

What are the different types of map scale?

 VERBAL SCALE – It expresses the relationship between distance on the map and
distance on the ground in words.
For example, ‘1centimetre represents 5 kilometres’ means that 1cm on the map
is equal to 5 km on the ground.

 GRAPHIC OR LINEAR SCALE – It visually expresses the scale of the map. It

consists of a horizontal line with equal divisions marked on it. The length of each
unit shows how many kilmetres or miles each unit is equal to on the ground. It
has two parts – The part to the right of the zero is called the Primary Scale which
shows the full units of measure (for example, kilometres or miles). The part to the
left of the zero is called the Extension Scale which is divided into tenths of the
unit of measure for measuring smaller distances.

One of the main advantage of the graphic scale is that it remains true even if the
map is enlarged or reduced.

GRAPHIC OR LINEAR SCALE

 REPRESENTATIVE FRACTION – It expresses the scale of the map in the form of

a ratio of the map distance to the ground distance. Since the unit is not specified,
the scale can be read in any unit. It can also be expressed as fractions.
For example, an RF of 1:25,000 means that one unit on the map represents
25,000 units on the ground. It can also be written as 1/25,000.

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Differentiate Small Scale and Large Scale Maps –

Based on their scale, maps can be divided into Small Scale Maps and
Large Scale Maps.

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What are Conventional Signs and Symbols –

Conventional Signs and Symbols are important parts of a map. They are used to
represent different features on a map. The use of symbols makes the map look neater
and makes it easier to understand the map. Some symbols and signs are used in
common by cartographers all around the world. These symbols are called conventional
symbols. To read and understand a map, a basic idea of signs and symbols is necessary.

What does the key or legend of a map explains?

The key or legend of a map explains what each of the symbols and signs used in the
map mean. It helps us to read and understand the map in details. Without the key, a
map would be meaningless. Map keys or legends are boxes drawn in the bottom corner
of a map.

Define Sketch and Plan -

Sketches and plans are two other ways in which areas are mapped.

SKETCH - A sketch is a rough drawing based on observation. It is not drawn to scale.

It is drawn quickly, showing important features like roads, big trees and other
landmarks. But the distances are not accurate. Also, it may or may not be a detailed
drawing.

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PLAN - A Plan is a detailed drawing of a small area like house or an office building.
It is always drawn to scale. Thus, measurements are necessary for drawing a plan.
A plan shows the shape and position of objects as they appear when viewed from
above.

Differentiate between Sketch, Plan, Maps and Globes –

SKETCH

PLAN

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Why do we need diagrams in geography?

Diagram is a drawing that explains the structure or the workings of something.

Diagrams are used widely to explain geographical concepts.

Given below are the diagrams of some geographical features –

Define the following -

River- It is a body of fresh water which flows from a source to an ocean or a lake
or another river. Some of the features associated with a river are -

 Source- It is the place from where it starts to flow. This can be a lake, a spring
or a glacier.
 Mouth- The place where a river flows into a lake, sea or another river.
 Delta- A tract of flat land formed at the mouth of the river by deposition of
sediments.
 Tributary- It is a stream which flows into a larger river.
 Distributary- It is a stream that branches out of the main river.
 Meander – It is a curve in the path of a river.

COURSE OF A RIVER

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Different Divergent and Compressional Forces –

Forces formed deep inside the Earth act on the rocks in the Earth’s crust, causing
them to fracture, fold, or subside. These forces are of different kinds -

DIVERGENT FORCES COMPRESSIONAL FORCES

Forces that pull away from one another Forces that push towards each
causing the rocks to stretch and then other causing the rocks to squeeze
crack causing faults. together, wrinkle and form folds.
Such movements form block Such movements form fold
mountains and rift valleys mountains with anticlines and
synclines.

NOTE –

The Global Positioning System or GPS is a navigation system made up of a network

of satellites that orbit the Earth. These satellites provide information that allows
people to find the geographic location of places accurately in all weather conditions
anywhere on the Earth. This technology is extremely effective for mapping. It is
often installed in cars or mobile phones.
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