Map work calculations

• Average Gradient
• Magnetic declination
• True bearing
• Magnetic bearing
• Vertical exaggeration
• Area
• Inter-visibility
• Direction
• Geographic reference
• Cross sections
• Area
• Length and distances
 DISTANCE
Calculate the distance
from Huguenot station to
Dal Josafat station
Formula
5,5cm

Map distance x map scale

1. Measure map distance

2. Place in formula

5,5cm x 500

= 2750 m

NB Use a scale of 1:10 000

on ortophoto
 AVERAGE GRADIENT
• Refers to the steepness/gentleness on an area or
place.
• It is expressed as a ratio, with gradient of less
than 1:15 being steep and that greater than 1:15
classified as gentle.
• the following formula is used
Average gradient(AG) = Vertical interval (VI)
Horizontal equidistance(HE)
 Application of gradient in real life
• The Aeroplane runways need to be on flat land
with a gradient close to 0.
• Trains can’t climb slopes steeper than 1:40
• It is difficult to cycle up a slope steeper than
1:20
• Cars can only drive up slopes with a gradient
of less than 1:5
• For Human beings it is difficult to climb slopes
steeper than 1:2
 GRADIENT

cm
3,8

Calculate the gradient

between spot height 1797
and spot height 2263

Gradient = VI HE = 3,8 cm x 500 Gradient = 466

HE 1 900
(Simplify)
VI = 2263-1797 = 466m = 1 900m = 1: 4,07
 Magnetic declination
• Is the angle that is formed between True
North and Magnetic North.
• Its is important to measure magnetic
declination so you could know True North
when working on the field. N.B. remember the
sun does not rises directly at East or Set
directly at West. So knowing Magnetic
declination and using your compass you can
find the exact location of True North.
MAGNETIC DECLINATION
Calculate the magnetic declination for
2011 ?
1. Calculate difference in years
Difference in years = 2011 – 2002
= 9 years

6’ westwards

o
zam
3. Total mean annual change
Nom Degrees: 9 years X 6’ W
Kwa

= 54’ Westward
4. Magnetic declination for 2011
Magnetic declination in 2011:
= 23º 33’W of TN+54’W
= 23º 87’ W of TN

= 24º 27’ West of True North

• Find Magnetic declination of the map for year
2022 using the information above. (5)
 Vertical exaggeration
• Vertical exaggeration simply means how many
times is the vertical scale larger than the
horizontal scale
Vertical exaggeration = vertical scale
horizontal scale
VE = VS/HS
• Cross sections are exaggerated so features can
be seen clearly.
1. How many times is the Orthophoto map larger than
the Topographical map. Show workings to prove your
answer
2. If the distance from two points on the Topographical
is 4cm, what would be the distance on the
Orthophoto map?
3. Assume a cross section is drawn from the
Topographical map along line N. Calculate the Vertical
exaggeration of the cross section given the following
information.
vertical scale is 1cm represent 20m
4. Assume a cross section is drawn from the Orthophoto
map. Calculate the vertical exaggeration given the
following information
Vertical scale is 1cm represent 20m
 VERTICAL EXAGGERATION
Cross section

Q: Why are cross sections exaggerated

when they are drawn?
A: To see the relief of the landscape

FORMULA : VE = VS
HS
 Calculate the Vertical exaggeration

STEP 1 4mm = 20m

Convert VS 4mm = 20 000mm (same units)
to ratio scale
4 : 20 000
1 : 5 000
STEP 2
Place in VE = VS
formula HS
= 1 ÷ 1
5 000 50 000
= 10 Times
= 1 X 50 000
5 000 1
Horizontal and vertical scales the same

A C
B

Vertical scale exaggerated

A C

B
 EXAMPLE VERTICAL EXAGGERATION

Calculate the vertical

exaggeration

VE = VS HS = 1 : 50 000
HS VE = VS
HS
VS: 1cm = 20m
1cm = 2 000cm 1 X 50 000
VS = 1 : 2 000 2 000 1 = 25 times
 VERTICAL EXAGGERATION
CALCULATE THE VERTICAL EXAGGERATION OF
THE CROSS SECTION
7.INTERVISIBILITY
 Area
• Area = length x breadth
A = LXB
4. Calculate the Area of block A1 in m2 (5)

5.
Using the Topographical map, Calculate the
Area covered by the Orthophoto map in km2 (5)
 Formula: Area = l x b
AREA 1. Calculate length

Map distance x scale

100 000
Calculate area 3,4 cm x 50 000
of the red block = 1,7 km
100 000

2. Calculate breadth
Map distance x scale
100 000
2,2 cm x 50 000
= 1,1 km
100 000

3. Place in formula
Area = l x b
1,7km x 1,1km
= 1,87 km²
 Direction
Simple steps for finding direction
• Identify the “of point”
• Identify the “from point”
• Join points as straight line
• Draw 4 cardinal compass diagram on the
“from point
• Determine the direction of your straight line
using 8 cardinal compass.
 True bearing
Steps for finding true bearing
• Identify the “of point”
• Identify the “from point”
• Join points as straight line
• Draw the True North – south line on the from
point.
• Determine the angle that is formed between True
North and your straight line.
• Always measure your angle in the clockwise
direction with North = 00 , E = 900 S = 1800, W =
2700
 TRUE BEARING

MAGNETIC BEARING
• Is the angle that is formed between magnetic
north and the object.
• Magnetic bearing = True bearing + magnetic declination
MB = TB + MD
 4.Magnetic bearing

FORMULA
Magnetic bearing = Magnetic declination
+ True Bearing
MB= MD +TB
 Geographic Co-ordinate
• Is the exact location of objects on earth.
• The latitudes and longitudes are used to
locate objects on earth.
• Latitudes are always given first.
• Degrees, minutes and Seconds are system
used to locate objects on earth
Find the geographic reference of the
reservoir.
 Using the Topographical map of
Harrismith
1. Find the Geographic co-ordinate of the
following
a) Spot height 1681 in block A1
b) Spot height 1731in Block D3
2. Identify the feature found in the following set
of Co-ordinates
a) 28019’0’’S, 29o06’50’’E
 CROSS SECTIONS
• Cross sections help us understand the actual
relief(Topography) of the mapped area.
• Geographers must at all times be able to give
insight about the slope of an area using contour
lines on the map.
HOW TO DRAW CROSS SECTIONS?
 ACTIVITY 2021-03-23
• ON YOUR WORK BOOK,DRAW THE
CROSS SECTION FROM CONTOUR
LINE 7 TO CONTOUR LINE 8.
• USE THE VERTICAL OF 1CM: 5M
• YOUR EDUCATOR WILL HELP YOU
NUMBER ALL THE CONTOUR LINES.
Cross sections
Inter-visibility
 QUESTION 3
MAP INTERPRETATION AND THEORY
APPLICATION
Typical examination questions
1.Evidence of Seasonal rainfall
2. Reason for Plantation of row of trees
3. Significance of dams
4. Evidence of conservation
5. Level of farming
6. Factors favouring Commercial farming
7. Identifying Drainage patterns
 Typical exam questions cont..
8. Identifying stream order
9. Identifying drainage density
10. Identifying a wet point settlement
11. Identifying a Dry point settlement
12.Activities found in the Rural-Urban
fringe
13. Factors influencing Site
14. Recreation activities practiced
Typical exam question cont…
15. Reasons why an area enjoys it
location(ideal located)
16. Reasons for an old town (colony
town)
17. Identifying street pattern
18.Advantages and disadvantages of the
National road passing through the Town
20.Reasons why a town became a popular
holiday destination
 Typical exam questions cont…
21. Factors limiting the further expansion
of the town
22. Evidence that Ground water is being
used
23. Identifying types of slopes
24. Identifying landforms
(spur,valley,ridge, gap e.t.c.)
25. Advantages and Disadvantages of
street patterns
 Typical exam questions cont…
26.Identifying settlement pattern
27. Identifying contour interval and index
contour interval
28. Finding Direction using the index of
the map sheet
29.Identifying Geomorphological process
evident on the map
30. Type of farming practised in the area
31. Identifying the fluvial features
(oxbowlakes, braided streams, sandbanks
e.t.c.)
 Typical exam questions cont…
32. Measures farmers have adopted to
conserve water
33. Measures farmers have adopted to
prevent impact of veld fires
34. The general river direction
35. Identifying the type of residential
areas
36. Characteristics of the high income
residential areas
 Typical exam questions cont…
37.Reason for the location of sewage
works
38. Measures adopted to restore
(rehabilitate) mining area
39. Mass movement likely to occur along
roads (steep roads)
40. Reason for the location of the rifle
range
41. Identifying techniques used by
engineers to overcome the steep gradient
in the construction of roads.
 Typical exam question cont…
42. Importance of Nature Reserve
43. Naming Environmental injustices
caused by industries and mines.
44. Identifying 4 ways of representing
altitude on the map
45.Identifying the physical features that
determine the shape of the town
46. Importance of marsh and vlei
47.Strategies adopted to prevent the
impact of berg winds
 Typical exam questions cont…
48. Evidence in support for the course of
the river
49.Identifying primary activities on the
map
50.Measures to prevent overgrazing
51.Province of the mapped area
52.Factors which favours eco-tourism