THEME1: REPRESENTATION OF
GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES
Maps and DiagramsD
here are various ways of representing the
earth, like maps, globes, sketches, plans DIDYOU KNOW?
and diagrams. Each of these, along with
the associated advarntages and disadvantages, The word 'map' comes from the Latin word 'mappa'
meaning cloth, as many of the earliest maps were
has been discussed in this chapter. drawn on animalskin, parchment or cloth.
MAPS
Physical maps show mountains, valleys,
A map is a drawing of the whole earth or a part plains, rivers, and other surface features.
of it on a flat surface. It is usually a symbolic These maps generally use different colours
representation drawn on paper that provides to represent land of different heights.7
information about the earth's surface in a simple
and graphic manner) A collection of different " Thematic maps show features such as
types of maps bound together in the form of a
climate, agriculture, minerals, etc
book is called an atlas. In addition to these maps, there are topographic
maps (topos =place; graphy =todescribe) which
TYPES OF MAPS give detailed information about local landforms,
streams, rivers, canals, roads, buildings,
Maps are of different types. The first category structures, railway tracks and other features
can be on the basis of details that need to be
of smaller areas. These maps are based on an
shown in a map.
accurate survey of land. These maps are useful
Types of Maps Based on Details Shown to people such as surveyors and civil engineers
Depending on the kind of details it wants to engaged in the construction of buildings, roads,
riages and other structures. They are also
Show}a map çan be divided into the following useful for military purposes.
categories:
Political maps show the boundaries of Types of Maps Based on Scale
countries, states,etc. and also the location or Maps can also be divided into two categories
capital cities and important towns. based on the scale used to draw them:
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Apolitical map of India
Small-scale maps are maps which show a Large-scale maps are maps which show
large land area in a small space. For example, smaller areas of land in bigger space. For
1cm on a small scale map could represent example, 1cm on a large scale map could
200 km on ground. The features of the area represent 1km on land. Such maps can
represented on such maps are, therefore, not therefore provide detailed information about
clearly visible. the features of the area they are representing
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IMPORTANCE OF MAPS DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MAPS,
Maps are important for variousreasons: GLOBES, SKETCHES AND PLANS
Maps are used for avariety of purposes. Maps are different from globes, sketches and
Students and teachers gain knowledge and plans.
accurate informationabout places from maps.
Navigators use them to find the direction of Globes
their destination and town planners use them Aglobe is an object representing the spherical
for town plarning. shape of the earth with a map of the world
Maps are easy to carry and are, therefore, printed on its surface. It is usually fixed to a
especially helpful for travellers. stand so that it can be rotated. Therefore, while
a globe is a three-dimensional model of the
Maps show selected features and are not
usually congested, making it easier for people ern, a map 15 a representation of the earth or a
part of it on a flat surface.
to understand and interpret the information
they are representing Table 2:Globes: Advantages and disadvantages
Maps make use of different signs, symbols
and coloursto provide distinct information. Advantages Disadvantages
This ensures that information is presented It is the most accurate Only a part of the
in a clear and concise manner with minimal
three-dimensional earth can be seen on a
scope for misinterpretation. representation of the globe, at one glance.
earth.
Table 1: Maps: Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages Disadvantages It shows the distribution Alldetails cannot be
They are easy to carry. The curved surface of of continents and oceans marked on a globe.
the earth cannot be accurately.
represented accurately
on a flat surface. Lines of latitude and A
globe is difficult to
They showselected Maps of large areas, longitude are marked on carry around.
features and are not especially continents, a globe.
usually congested. have some distortion of
size, shape or distance.
They use different signs, |Maps provide limited
Sketches
|symbols, and colours |information in a limited A sketch is a rough drawing showing the
toprovide distinct amount of space. relative locations of a few chosen features of an
information. area. It does not show the true shape or size of
the features and it is not drawn to scale, i.e., the
distance between the different features shown
THINK AND ANSWER in the sketch is not in the same proportion as it is
Imagine you are travelling to a new place with your on land. Asketch is only a rough representation
parents. Think about the kind of information you will of the area. It is usually used to show people how
find about the place from a map. to gofrom one place to another. In other words,
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TP cONNAUGHT
PLACE
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RAIL WAY KARNAIL
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STATION
FRUITSHOS STADIUM
RAILWAY 6JARTERS ARGAH
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RAILWAY AUARTÈRS
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A
sketch
while amap is an accurate representation of an
area, a sketch is a rough representation of an QUICK FACTS
area, drawn only to give a general sense of somne
features of the area. The index in an atlas contains the names of all
important places with their respective latitudes and
Plans longitudes.
A plan is a drawing that shows the horizontal
section of a small area or a building. It is drawn AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS AND SATELLITE
to scale. It is useful because it tells us where PICTURES
exactly things are on the ground. Another tool for representing the earth or a
A map and a plan are very similar. Both show an part of it is aerial photography. Photographs of
area just as it would look when seen from above. the earth are taken from a camera mnounted on
But while a map shows a large area, a plan is an aircraft, an unmanned drone or an artificial
normally drawn for a small area. So, while a satellite. In fact, such photographs have been
plan shows a school or part of a neighbourhood, used widely in the preparation of accurate maps.
a map shows a whole city, district or state.
TP 1cm to 8 m
Office Library
Classroom
Gym
Playground
Tennis
Court
Canteen
A
plan of a school An aerial photograph of Australia
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DISCUSS Faslts TP
Do youthink we can have a correct idea of the size of
an area from a sketch? Give reasons for your answer.
REPRESENTATION OF GEOGRAPHICAL
FEATURES THROUGH DIAGRAMS
We use diagrams to represent different
geographical features such as the ones listed Cracks, or faults in the earth's crust
here:
Anticline and Syncline Uplift Block
Anticlines and synclines are parts of a simple Subsidence mountains
fold. A fold is formed when the layers of the Rift valley
earth's crust are folded by compression.
The arches of a fold or the upfolds are known as
anticlines. Downfolds or the troughs of a fold
are known as synclines.
TP Anticline
Block mountains formed due to sinking of the adjacent land
from high ground to low ground and ultimately
to alake or sea is called a river. A river is often
divided into three parts or stages-upper,
middle and lower. Each of these stages has
features that are specific to each stage.
We will read about some of the geographical
Syncline
features with the help of a diagram.
Anticline and syncline Tributary: A stream which drains into a larger
one, for instance, a river, thereby contributing
Block Mountains water to it.
A fault or a fracture of the earth's crust is
caused by strain or tension. This results in a Distributary: A separate river channel created
displacenment of the surface. When cracks or when a river splits, but one which does not
faults oCcur in the earth's crust and the surface rejoin the main channel. Usually found in a
between the cracks sinks, it leaves upstanding delta region.
blocks on either side. These are called block Meander: A loop-like bend in a river
mountains.
Delta: The silt carried by a river collects and
Rivers, Tributaries, Distributaries, is deposited in the spaces between the smaller
Meanders and Deltas rivers. This creates a fan-shaped feature at the
A stream of water which flows in a channel river mouth, called the delta.
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TP
River source
Anbyiafíes
Main river
Meánder
Distributary. Delta
The parts ofa river
VALUESAND LIFE SKILLS
Maps and sketches aregreat tools. They help us to navigate our way to our destination.
Prepare a sketch of the route you take from your house to your school for the new school bus driver. Do not forget to
mark the important places in the route.
POINTS TO REMEMBER
The various ways of representing the earth are globes, There are also topographic maps which give detailed
maps, pictures, sketches, plans and diagrams. information about local features of small areas on the
Maps are of different types-political, physical, or surface of the earth.
thematicshowing different kinds of details. Maps can also be divided on the basis of scale-small
Political maps show boundaries of countries, states, scale mapsand large-scale maps.
etc., physical maps show landforms; and thematic Small-scale maps show a large land area in a small
maps show the distribution of a particular feature space. Large-scale maps show smaller area of land in
such as climate or vegetation. bigger space.
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A globe is the most accurate three-dimensional, Plans are drawn to scale and are very similar to maps.
spherical representation of the earth. However, not While a map shows a large area, a plan is normally
many details of the earth can be shown on a globe. drawn for a small area or a building.
Asketch is arough drawing showing the relative
locations of a few chosen features in an area. They are
not drawn to scale.
Important Terms
Map: a drawing of the whole earth or a part of it on Plan: a drawing that shows the horizontal section of
a flat surface asmall area or building accurately
Atlas: a collection of different types of maps in the Aerial photographs: photographs of the earth or a
form of a book part of it taken from a camera mounted on an
Globe: an object representing the spherical shapeof aircraft or an artificialsatellite
the earth with a map of the world on its surface, Fold: a bending of the earth's crust due to large scale
USually on a stand so that it can be rotated earth movements
Sketch: a rough drawing showing the relative Trough: the dip of a fold
locations of afew chosen features in an area
Exercises
A, Choose the correct answer.
1. Which of these is shown by a thematic map?
i. mountains ii. rivers i#. climate iv. state capitals
2. These maps are useful tosurveyors and civilengineers engaged in building roads, bridges,canals,
and other structures.
i. physical i. political iK. topographic iv, thematic
3. This is a true modelof the earth.
i. sketch ii. map ii. globe iv. plan
4. This is a rough drawing showing the relative locations ofafew features of an area.
i. globe i. map i. sketch iv. plan
5. This isa drawing that shows the horizontal section of asmallarea drawn to scale.
i. sketch K. plan ii. map iv. globe
6. These are taken from space and show that the earth is spherical in shape.
i. graphs ii. plans it. aerialphotographs iv. sketches
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B. Explain the differences between each of the following pairs.
1. An aerial photograph and a plan 2.A globe and an atlas 3. Asketch and a map
C. Answer the following questions in brief.
1, Define an atlas.
2. What do you understand by topographic maps?
3. Which map would be most useful to army personnel when constructing a bridge during a war?
4. How willyou show the location of your house to a friend who is visiting you for the first time?
5. Differentiate between aplan anda sketch.
D. Answer the following questions in one or two paragraphs.
1. What is amap? What are the different types of maps?
2. Describe a political and a physical map.
3. Take the help of your atlas to make a list of thematic maps. Describe any two maps fromyour list.
4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a globe?
TPE. Draw a planof your houseshowing clearly the position of each room in relation to the
others. On the plan, mark clearly the positions of doors, windows and furniture.
F. Picture study.
This picture shows the continent of Australia.
1. Do you know how this type of picture is taken?
2. What is it used for?
LET'S DOSOMETHING
TP
1. Collect some maps, aerialphotographs, andplans and stick them in your notebook. Label them appropriately.
Discuss the benefits of a map over a globe.
2. Draw a simple sketch to show the route you take from your home to your city's important office complex. You should
TP Use different colours for different areas like residential areas,shopping complexes, parks and playgrounds. Use
symbols to mark out places like hospitals, post offices, telephone exchanges, and bus stops.
Websites:
For more information, go to:
" https://www.thoughtco.com/types-of-maps-1435689 (Accessed on 1June 2017)
" http://www.kidsgeo.com/geography-for-kids/oo36-aerial-photographs.php (Accessed on 1June 2017)
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