NCERT Class 6 Geography Maps

MAPS

You have learnt in the previous chapter about the advantages of a globe. However, globe has limitations as well. A globe can be useful when we want to study the earth as a whole. But, when we want to study only a part of the earth, as about our country, states, districts, towns and villages, it is of little help. In such a situation we use maps. A map is a representation or a drawing of the earth’s surface or a part of it drawn on a flat surface according to a scale. But it is impossible to flatten a round shape completely.

We find that maps are useful to us for various purposes. One map shows a small area and a few facts. Another map may contain as many facts as a big book. When many maps are put together we get an Atlas. Atlases are of various sizes, measurements drawn on different scales. Maps provide more information than a globe. They are of different types. Some of them are described below.

PHYSICAL MAPS

Maps showing natural features of the earth such as mountains, plateaus, plains, rivers, oceans etc. are called physical or relief maps.

POLITICAL MAPS

Maps showing cities, towns and villages, and different countries and states of the world with their boundaries are called political maps.

THEMATIC MAPS

Some maps focus on specific information; such as road maps, rainfall maps, maps showing distribution of forests, industries etc. are known as thematic maps. Suitable titles are given on the basis of information provided in these maps. There are three Components of Maps – distance, direction and symbol.

DISTANCE

Maps are drawings, which reduce the entire world or a part of it to fit on a sheet of paper. Or we can say maps are drawn to reduced scales. But this reduction is done very carefully so that the distance between the places is real. It can only be possible when a small distance on paper represents a large distance on the ground.

Therefore, a scale is chosen for this purpose. Scale is the ratio between the actual distance on the ground and the distance shown on the map. For example, the distance between your school and your home is 10 km. If you show this 10 km. distance by 2 cm on a map, it means, 1 cm on the map will show 5 km. on the ground. The scale of your drawing will be 1cm = 5 km. Thus, scale is very important in any map. If you know the scale, you will be able to calculate the distance between any two places on a map.

When large areas like continents or countries are to be shown on a paper, then we use a small scale. For example 5 cm. on the map shows 500 km. of the ground. It is called a small scale map. When a small area like your village or town is to be shown on paper, then we use a large scale that is 5 cm. on the map shows 500 metres only on the ground. It is called a large scale map. Large scale maps give more information than small scale maps.

EXERCISE

1. Answer the following questions briefly.

(a) What are the three components of a map?

(b) What are the four cardinal directions?

(c) What do you mean by the term ‘the scale of the map’?

(d) How are maps more helpful than a globe?

(e) Distinguish between a map and a plan.

(f) Which map provides detailed information?

(g) How do symbols help in reading maps?

2. Tick the correct answers.

(a) Maps showing distribution of forests are

(i) Physical map    (ii) Thematic Map    (iii) Political map

(b) The blue colour is used for showing

(i) Water bodies    (ii) Mountains    (iii) Plains

(c) A compass is used –

(i) To show symbols

(ii) To find the main direction

(iii) To measure distance

(d) A scale is necessary

(i) For a map    (ii) For a sketch   (iii) For symbols

Please refer to attached file for NCERT Class 6 Geography Maps