MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

& VOCATIONAL TRAINNING

GEOGRAPHY FORM THREE

MAP READING AND INTERPRETATION

By MGONGO PM
 Area to be covered
1. Concept of map reading
2. Types of scale
3. Types of map
4. Essential of the map
5. Method used to measure distance
6. Cross section.
7. Gradient
8. Compass bearing
9. The location of position.
10. Economic activities
11. Question By MGONGO PM
 1. CONCEPT OF MAP.
• Is a representation of an area of the earth surface
on a flat surface such as paper, black board or
wood.
- MAP READING Is the systematic identification of
natural features ( mountain, plateaus, plain,
valleys, rivers, rocks, and water bodies ) and
natural features like roads, railways, dams,
factories, and building on the map

• CARTOGRAPHY Is the science of making maps.

• CARTOGRAPHER Is the person who makes or
create maps.
By MGONGO PM
Map reading Is a systematic identification of natural
features and human features n the map.
- is a skill of being able to recognize or identify the symbols and
sign that are on the map.
Types of Map
a) Topographical map
b) Statistical map
A. TOPOGRAPHICAL MAP – Is the type of map that used to
show both natural and artificial features.
- Example of natural features are mountains, hills, rivers,
waterfalls. Etc
- Examples of artificial features railways, roads, building,
dams. Etc .
B. STATISTICAL MAP- Is the types of map that used to
geographical distribution of phenomena's. example
distribution of rainfall and temperature.
By MGONGO PM
 Essentials / Components of Map
i. TITLE-(Heading) Is used to tell what the map is about eg.
SONGWE
ii. MARGIN LINE- it show the boundaries of the area
represented, normally straight line are used
- It cover the map
- It show where the map ended
- It separates with other information which obtain in the
same sheet
iii. KEY It gives information of the symbols and sign within the
map.
iv. SCALE It determine the size of the features that found on the
map
v. NORTH DIRECTION. Usually is found on the map that locate
and show the position of various place on the map .
By MGONGO PM
Vi. DATE. It show when did the map produced because
the earth undergo different changes
Vii GRID REFFERENCE . It help to know the position
of the place
Viii. AUTHOLITY. It deal with the ownership of the
map
SCALE
Is the ratio between the distance on the map
and the actual distance on the group
SCALE= map distance
ground distance
By MGONGO PM
 TYPES OF SCALE
1. LARGE SCALE:- Is the scale that used to
represent small area of land. Example village,
farms.
- Scale size is from 1:5,000 to 1:25,000.
2. MEDIUM SCALE:- Is the scale that used to
represent medium area of land. Example region,
country
- Scale size is from 1:50,000 to 250,000.
3. SMALL SCALE. Is the scale that used to represent
large area of land. Example continents and world
- Most of features are small and not seen clearly
- It show large town
- Scale size is from 1:500,000
By MGONGO PM
to 1:15,000,000
 EXPRESSION OF THE SCALE
• Ways of expression of the scale as follows.
a. Statement scale
b. Representative fraction
c. Linear scale
A. STATEMENT SCALE Is the scale which expressed in
term of statement
-it may not occupy large space on map
- It does not involve difficult calculation
- Example One centimeter on the map represent a half
kilometer on the ground

By MGONGO PM
B. REPRESENTATIVE SCALE. Is the scale which expressed in term
of fraction scale
- example 1:50,000 or 1/50,000
C. LINEAR SCALE. Is the scale which expressed in term of line.
- it is used to measure long distance
- it contain two section such as primary section and secondary
section.

By MGONGO PM
 Scale conversion

1. 1:50,000 change into statement scale

2. 1cm = 2km change into representative
fraction
3. One centimeter represent four kilometer on
a map. Change into linear scale
4. 1:100,000 change into linear scale
5. 1:50,000 change into linear scale

By MGONGO PM
 Uses of map scale
• Are used to calculate distance on the map like
road, railways etc.
• Are used to plot cross section, relief section.
• Are used to calculate the map area
• Are used to determine construction of road,
railways with its distance
• Are used to calculate gradient of the map.
• Are used to calculate vertical exaggeration of the
land scape.
• Are used to calculate gradient on a map.
• Are used to show the relationship between map
distance and actual ground distance

By MGONGO PM
 IMPORTANCE OF THE SCALE
- Scale enable the interpretation of the ground
measurement such as area, sizes distance.
- Scale enable the map user to interpret the amount of
contents shown on the map with regards to the scale size.
- Scale helps the map user to know the area of the land
represented
- Scale helps to determine the map size to be drawn.
- Scale control the amount of contents to be shown on the
map.
- Scale helps the process of map reduction and enlargement
- Scales help the map to decide on size of convectional
symbols and sign to be shown on the map.
By MGONGO PM
 Method used to measure distance on a map
To measure the distance of the map is to determine the
length from one point to another
Example point A B
a. Straight distance we use a ruler
b. Curve distance example road, railways we use:-
I. A pair of dividers
II. A thread or thin string
III. A peace of paper
CALCULATING AREA ON MAP
Are on a map can be Regular or Irregular
A.REGULAR features that form regular shape are like
triangle, square, triangle, rectangle etc.
By MGONGO PM
 SQUARE
To find the area is side x side

TRIANGLE AREA
To find the area is ½ x width x length

RECTANGLE AREA

To find the area is length x width

By MGONGO PM
 B. IRREGULAR SHAPE
• The method used are
-square method
-strip method
-geometrical method
SQUARE METHOD.
Example find the area of forest covered on the map full
square is 8 and half square is 15
Soln: full square + half square
2
= 8+15 =8+ 7.5 =15.5 square
2
= 15.5square
By MGONGO PM
 ii. Thin string
such as cotton string is used to measure a stretch
with many curves distance.

By MGONGO PM
iii. A peace of paper
- This method can be used to measure both short and long
distance on the topographical map.

By MGONGO PM
 IDENTIFYING LOCATION OF POSITION
POSITION:- refers to place where a person
or object stand.
- Ways of locating the position on a map
a) Place names
b) bearing
c) Compass direction
d) Longitude and latitudes
e) Grid references
f) Political and administrative boundaries
g) North direction
By MGONGO PM
 Place names
Is the way of locating place by using specific
names of a particular place. Example Njombe,
mount Kilimanjaro, Kigoma etc
Longitude and latitude
Is the way of locating a place by using line and
always we star by reading latitude and the longitude
Grid reference
It consist vertical line and horizontal line drawn on a map and
fixing position imaginary lin.
-The vertical line are also called EASTINGS
-The horizontal line are also called NORTHINGS
-We start reading Easting line three number then following by
Northing line three number.
By MGONGO PM
Example

By MGONGO PM
Example 2.

By MGONGO PM
 Compass bearing
Compass is an instrument used to find the direction
Ways of showing north direction
- Geographical or true north
- Magnetic north
- Grid north
Geographical or true north
Is the direction towards the 90 degree north
latitude, from any place on the earth surface
- It is usually represented by star
Magnetic north

Is the direction to the magnetic north pole.

- It is usually represented by a line ending with half of an
arrow head
By MGONGO PM
 Grid north
Is the point where grid lines meet in the north pole

By MGONGO PM
 Compass direction
• Are measured from the north along a 360 degree of circle.
- The main directions or cardinal points are
a) East
b) West
c) North
d) South

By MGONGO PM
Four cardinal point can be divided into eight direction.

16 cardinal points

By MGONGO PM
 Compass Bearing
It show the direction with respect to another point
measured clockwise from 0 degree to 360 degree.
-types of bearing
1. True bearing
2. Magnetic bearing
3. Grid bearing

True bearing- is the bearing calculated from the

true north clockwise
-It is also knows as geographical bearing
-True bearing is the direction of the north pole and
it is the position on the globe where all longitudes
meet
By MGONGO PM
 Magnetic Bearing
Is the bearing calculated from magnetic clockwise
to 360 degree.
- Magnetic north is the position of the earth
magnetic north pole.
- It is based on the magnetic field of north pole and
south pole
Grid Bearing
Is the bearing calculated from grid north clockwise
to 360 degree.
-In topographical map the lines which form a
network of square are called grid north.
-They are drawn run from the north pole to the
south pole of the map.
By MGONGO PM
 Procedures to find the bearing
Example: find the bearing of point A to point B
• Join point A and point B with a straight line.
• At point a draw a line parallel to the north – south
line.
• Use protector to measure the angle A to B toward
a line AB.

The bearing of point A to B is 65 degree

By MGONGO PM
• Back bearing – is a degree of observer from the points ( BB)
• Forward bearing – is a degree of object from the observer
• Example FB = 60 degree
formula BB = FB + 180
If FB is < less than 180 (+)
If BB is > greater than 180 (-)
Therefore fb= 60
= BB = FB + 180
= BB = 60+180
= BB = 240 degree
Example if the bearing of Njombe is FB 90 find the bearing
of Iringa

By MGONGO PM
 Methods used to identify relief features on
topographical map
1. Contour line. Are the line drawn on a map to
join all place or area with the equal height ,
altitude from the sea level.

By MGONGO PM
 2.Trigonometrical station/ point.
These are accurately surveyed altitude or height
from the sea level. They represented by small
triangle showing the highest point of the
mountain.

By MGONGO PM
 3. Spot height
These are accurately surveyed altitude or height
from the sea level. They represented by small
circle showing the highest point of the
mountain.

By MGONGO PM
 4.Bench mark
These are wall indication or poles showing
altitude a height in relation to the sea level.
Bench mark is represented by MB

By MGONGO PM
 5. HILL SHADING
Is a tradition method of showing relief features
by showing the direction of some aspect.

By MGONGO PM
 6. HACHURING METHOD
This is traditional method of showing relief
features where by line are drawn on the map to
show the direction of slope clearly

By MGONGO PM
 7.Form line
Refers to the preliminary stage of showing relief
features. It is done by plotting contour line on
topographical map.

By MGONGO PM
 8. LAYER COLOUR
This involves the use of colour to show or
represent relief features

By MGONGO PM
 CROSS SECTION.
Refers to the relief profile, section or layout of
land form between given points on the
contoured map.
Types of relief
A. Relief cross profile
B. Annotated relief section
A . Relief cross profile is less detailed
B . Annotated relief section is more detailed this
include several details seen like river,
mountain, forest and lake
By MGONGO PM
 Procedures in drawing cross section
(i) Identify the two points on the contoured map or sheet example
point A to B
(ii) Join the two points asked by using a pencil.
(iii) Take folded paper and fold it then place the folded paper on the
lining joining the two point.
(iv) On the folded paper mark all contours and other features crossed
by line between two points
(v) Take your answer sheet and almost at its middle draw a straight
horizontal line equivalent in length and width on the answer sheet.
(vi) Choose the suitable vertical scale by observing the vertical
interval
(vii) Mark and label the two perpendicular vertical line starting from
the lowest to highest contour.
(viii)Join all points obtained and mark all important features.
(ix) Shade the diagram
(x) Indicate the starting point and ending point
(xi) Write title of the cross section
By MGONGO PM
Example of cross section

By MGONGO PM
 VISIBILITY OF TWO POINTS
Refers to the ability or possibility of two points on the
contoured map to be seen from each other.
- If the points can be seen from each other there fore
the point are INTERVISIBLE.
- But if the two points can not be seen from each
other on the contour map the two points are NOT
INTERVISIBLE.
FACTORS AFFECTING VISIBILITY
1. Relief
2. Vegetation cover
3. Human activities
By MGONGO PM
 VERTICAL EXAGGERATION (V.E)
Vertical exaggeration is the relationship between
vertical scale and horizontal scale.
- It is important to understand that when you draw
cross section it is necessary to calculate vertical
exaggeration.
- Vertical exaggeration helps us to know how
much the relief profile is magnified or
exaggeration between two points in the
contoured map.
-Vertical exaggeration= Vertical scale
Horizontal scale
By MGONGO PM
 Example
• The horizontal scale is usually given on the map.
The vertical scale is the one which has been used to
draw the feature like relief cross section.
For example: given H.S= 1:50000, V.S= 1cm to 50m
find the vertical exaggeration.
Solution.
V.E= V.S
H.S
V.E= 50000
5000
= 10
Vertical Exaggeration is 10
By MGONGO PM
 GRADIENT / SLOPE
Is the amount of fall and rise.
- It may also be referred to as the ratio between
vertical increase ( the difference between highest
contour and the lowest contour crossed between two
points) and the horizontal equivalent.
- Gradient = vertical interval
Horizontal equivalent
Example. Given the vertical interval VI = 200M and
HE = 6000M and the map scale is 1:50000.
calculate the gradient.
Soln. gradient = 200m
6000m
= 1/30 OR 1:30
By MGONGO PM
Gradient calculation

By MGONGO PM
 Drainage interpretation ( pattern
Is the removal of water from the land. OR
- Is the plan or layout of the river with its tributaries.
- Is the actual arrangement of the main stream and their
tributaries.
- It is layout network or steam or river on the land scape.
- River system has various pattern of drainage
FACTORS THAT DETERMINE DRAINAGE PATTERN
1. Slope of the land
2. Different in rock hardness.
3. Geological structures
4. Human activities
5. Nature of the vegetation cover

By MGONGO PM
 TYPES OF DRAINAGE
1.Dendritic drainage is the shape like tree structure
- It has may tributaries and have the main river.
Structure of Dendritic drainage pattern

By MGONGO PM
 2.Trellised drainage
Is the drainage which developed in the soft and
hard rock, the tributaries is almost on the right
angle
Structure of trellised drainage pattern

By MGONGO PM
 3.Rectangular pattern
Is the pattern where by the tributary is join the
main river, it is commonly in faulted area and
similar some how to trellised

By MGONGO PM
 4.Radial pattern
Is the stream flowing out ward down from the dome
shape like volcano. Example
- Kilimanjaro, Elgon mount
- It depend on igneous rock.

By MGONGO PM
 5.Annual pattern
The stream occurs flowing in spiral way is due to the
softness and hardness of the rock present.

By MGONGO PM
 6. Centripetal pattern
The steam is flowing from all direction and inter in the basin
It occur due to the presence of steep slope like lake Turkana and
lake Chad

By MGONGO PM
 7.Parallel pattern
Is the stream that can parallel to one another and
inter to the sea or ocean.

By MGONGO PM
 ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES
How to determine economic activities in your sheet map.
1. Fishing activities. Due to the presence of water bodies, like river,
lake, sea and dam.
2. Lumbering activities. Due to the presence of forest and minor
road or track ending in the forest areas.
3. Trading activities. Due to the presence of trading center,
marketing center, transport network, and town center
4. Agriculture activities. Due to the presence of estate or plantation,
and settlement along the river.
5. Mining activities. Due to the presence of mineral activities and
holes
6. Tourism activities. Due to the presence of attractive material.
7. Transport and communication activities. Due to the presence of
roads, railways, water bodies, airport.
8. Pastoralist activities. Due to the presence of water holes, cattle
By MGONGO PM
dips, and grassland with settlements
 Qn

By MGONGO PM
KAPAMA 2019

By MGONGO PM