MAP READING AND INTERPRETATION

What is a map?

A map is a scaled representation of part or whole of the surface on a flat body such as a piece of
paper cloth or wood.

Thus a map must be drawn to scale.

Types of map

There are two types of map:

Those are topographical and statistical maps.

1. Topographical maps

These are the maps, which represent the general landscape. They are the maps which show
physical features including the natural and manmade features such as mountains, valley oceans,
hills, roads, railways buildings, plantations etc.

Content of topographical maps

Any topographical map shows three kinds of contents.

i) Natural contents.
ii) Artificial or cultural contents
iii) Supportive contents.

Natural contents

Natural contents are all features that are distinctive from manmade features like mountains,
plateaus rivers, oceans lakes etc.

Artificial cultural contents

Artificial contents include all manmade features such as roads railways, settlement, airdrome,
cemetery etc.

Supportive contents

These are the maps marginal information given to assist the reader of the map. Some of the
supportive contents include title, scale, north direction, key and date of compilation.

Factors that determine the contents of topographical maps

 i) Purpose of a map.
ii) Scale size of a map.
iii) Date of compilation
iv) The nature of the land represented.
v) The nationality of the cartographer

Purpose of a map

This largely depends on the aim of cartographer (mapmaker). Usually maps are selective in a
sense that not all land information can be shown on the maps. Aim of the cartographer determine
what to be shown on a map; hence a map reflects its purpose.

Scale size of a map

Maps are drawn to different scale sizes depending on the size of the land to be represented. It has
to be noted that scale size of map is about contents to be shown on a map. Thus if there are
two maps of the same area of land but drawn by the different scale size they are likely to differ in
contents.

Date of compilation

Date of compilation refers to a period of time at which a map was published/produced. It has to
be noted that land information is dynamic overtime. Due to this fact map is likely to show
information, which was represent by the time when it was prepared. Hence maps drawn at
different periods of time are likely differ in terms of contents.

For instance, consider two maps of DSM published at different periods of time e.g. one of l940‘S
and the other of 1980‘S. The map constructed in 1940‘S is not likely to show TAZARA and
Mandela road while that of 1980‘s is likely to show TAZARA and Mandela road.

Nature of the land represented

A nap shows what is found at a place and otherwise therefore maps of different places are likely
to differ in terms of the content.

The nationality of the cartographer

The map of a place can be drawn by the foreigner or indigenous cartographer. Hence the two
maps are likely to differ in content due to the fact that the foreigner cartographer might not
included same contents because of being not familiar with the area.

2. Statistical Maps

These are the maps, which show distribution of different aspect such as temperature rainfall,
settlement, vegetation etc. They are for example Dot maps, isoline maps, flow line maps and
Choropieth maps.
Statistical maps are differently named depending on the means of showing distribution on a map
face. Examples of statistical maps are:

a) Isopteth maps

These are the statistical maps, which show the distribution of certain geographical phenomena by
means of lines on its face. The lines are differently named depending on what they are showing
on the map. E.g. isohytes shows rainfall, isotherm temperature, isobars atmospheric pressure,
isonephs cloudiness and contours height above the sea level

b) Dot map

Those are statistical maps, which shows the distribution of certain geographical phenomena by
means of dots of different size on its face. Each dot on the map carries equal value depending on
the scale used.

c) Choropleth map

These are the statistical maps, which show the density distribution of a certain geographical
phenomena by means of different shade texture on its face.

d) Flow line maps

These are the statistical maps, which show the movements of geographical items like of people
and goods from one place to another through a certain established route way like road, railway,
canal etc.

Value of maps to geographer

1. Maps show direction to travelers.

2. Map, provide the basis for an orderly/arrangement of geographical description of a
region.
3. Map show political boundaries of different countries
4. They provide much information on the nature and distribution of geographical
phenomena such as settlement, population etc.
5. They are very essential in any fieldwork or study.
6. They provide background information of different areas.
7. They provide valuable data for statistical analysis.
8. They provide insight into significant relationship between maps of different disciplines
e.g. relationship between relief and soil. On areas where relief is high soil is thin due to
erosion while low lands have fertile soil due to deposition.
9. They provide the basis for the study of geographical problems e.g. different crops grown
in an area and give opinion

Limitations of using map on geographical studies.

 i) Maps are conventional; they represent land information by means of convectional
symbols and signs.
ii) Maps are selective as not all land information may be shown on a map
iii) Maps are very expensive to produce.
iv) Preparation of map takes so long period of time.
v) Some maps provide outdated information.
vi) Some geographical information at an area is not directly shown unless the map is so
special.

ASPECTS OF MAP

Maps have got main three aspects. These are: -

1. Map Reading

This refers to the recognition of natural and manmade features and their relationship on map by
using convectional symbols and sign from the key. It is a process of examining the given
topographical map to identify the information represented by symbols and signs.

2. Map Interpretation

This is concerned with not only recognition of features on map but also assessing their
significance Map interpretation is therefore the process of examining the given topographical
map to identify the geographical information on an area represented including; climate, relief,
economic activities, drainage, mode of transport, vegetation distribution and the like. It is done
with the aid of a key.

3. Map Analysis

This is the process of working out the relationship of the identified geographical information
with others, which have not directly been shown in the map. It involves both aspects of map
reading and interpretation and proceeds to evaluate the inter-relationship of features represented
on map, their classification and assessment.

Map projection

What is map projection?

Map projection is the cartographic technique of transforming the shape of part of the earth‘s
surface more accurately to a flat surface of a map that can be easily worked with less distortion is
the cartographic technique of maintaining the accuracy of map. Map projection is important
because globe is not convenient as flat map to use though the earth can be represented reasonable
accuracy on a globe. Map projection is therefore important because globe cannot depict much
details like the importation system of the city or the location of a small village or town. To
facilitate geographical studies maps have to be projected by satellite to make the maps so
accurate and maintaining the accuracy of the area represented.
Map projection differs in number of ways depending on the nature of the surface onto which the
earth surface shape is being transformed. There are main two categories of map projection
depending on the area to be projected:

1. Cylindrical projection

This is the kind of map projection where the shape of the earth‘s surface accurately transformed
to a developable surface of cylindrical object. That is to say, the flat body onto which the map to
be developed is projected to a shape of a cylinder. This kind of projection is also referred to as
Mercantor‘s projection.

2. Conical projection

This is a kind of map projection where by the shape of the earth‘s surface is accurately
transformed to a developable surface of conical shape. That is to say the flat body onto which the
map is to be established is projected into a conical shape. The projected maps are commonly
referred to as Satellite Projected Maps.

THE MARGINAL INFORMATION

The marginal information are the information around a map. They also known as essentials of a
map, supportive content or characteristics of a good map.

The marginal information Include:

1. Title

This is the heading of the map. It indicates the information a map-reader is expecting to find in a
map.

There are two types of map title.

a) General title

This shows a general content of an area e.g. Arusha

b) Specific title

This shows the specific content of an area represented e.g. Arusha population distribution.

2. Margin or Boundary

This is a bolded line around a map. LI is a framework of a ma under study. It is a maps boundary
whose significance is to show the end of an area understudy.

3. Longitude and Latitude

These are north - south and east - west imaginary lines used to locate position and time. More
importantly latitude and longitude enable the map user to detect (know) the geographical
location of the represented area. They are the angular measurements drawn on the face of a map
in degrees as measured from the center of the earth.

(4) North direction indicator

This shows the North direction of a map when it was printed. The significance of it on a map is
to identity the north direction the mapped area and then to know other important directions the
area such as East, Northeast, Southeast etc. Large map have three types of north printed on top or
bottom of the ma these are magnetic north, true north and grid north.

(5) Grid reference system

This network of vertical and horizontal lines on a map us to fix positions. The vertical lines are
referred to as the Easting as they are numbered eastward while the horizontal lines are known as
Northing since they are numbered northward. Grid lines have significance of enabling the map
user to give the position or location of places.

Scale

This is the ratio between map distance and actual ground distance represented. Scale enables the
interpreter to know the size of the area under study and other important ground measurement of
Map distance
the area represented as =Actual ground distance

Date of compilation.

This indicates the date on which the map understudy was developed. The significance of it is to
enable the interpreter to realize whether the map understudy is updated or outdated.

Key

This is a list of convectional symbols and signs shown on the map with their meanings. It is a
group of convectional symbols and signs, which stand for actual features on the map. The
convectional signs and symbols have to be interpreted to get clearly the meaning of the
geographical area represented.

What convectional symbols and signs

These are the language or alphabets of the map used to give the land geographical information by
the help of a key or legend. The convectional symbols and signs should be easy to read, to
interpret, easy to understand and should be correctly and clearly shown on the map.

Standard convectional signs

These are the convectional signs and symbols which remain the same to the most of maps. In this
case even if the map is not reproduced with the key a map reader identifies them even by looking
the key of another map.

Other essentials of a map for advanced learners include:

Scale agent, Error notification, Publisher and owner‘s copyright, Sheet history and Universal
Transversal Meriator (UTM).

THE SCALEOFAMAP

What is a scale?

A scale is a ratio between map distance and actual ground distance. A scale is expressed as:
Map distance
=Actual ground distance

Classification of maps according to scale size.

Maps can be classified according to their scale as follows:

(1) Large scale maps 1:5000-1: 25000.

These are used when drawing a small area. One unit on the map represents very few units on
actual ground distance. They are used to represent a small ground area. The map content are
enlarged and they are clearly seen.

(2) Medium scale maps. E.g. 1:50,000 to 1:250,000

These maps represent areas, which are neither too large non small. The features on the ground
are relatively reduced and t map shows moderate contents.

(3) Small scale maps e.g. 1:250,000 to 1:1000,000.

In this type of map, map distance is represented by small measurement on ground. It covers wide
area and show only large towns. Features are greatly reduced and appear very small. The map
shows few contents due to the limitation of the map space.

NB: The higher the denominator the smaller the scale.

Types of scale or ways or expressing scale

There are three ways of expressing scale namely.

1
(1) Representative Fraction or Ratio Fraction scale E.g. =50,000 or 1: 50,000 50,000
(2) Statement scales e.g. One-centimeter represent a half-kilometer
 (3) Linear scale: This is indicated by a way of a line.

Scale conversion

Converting R.F scale to statement scale

Example 1

Change 1: 100,000 to statement scale,

1km = 100,000 cm.

Thus 100,000 cm = 1 km

100,000 cm = ? km

100,000cm 1km
= Xkm
100,000

X = 1km

Hence, One centimeter represents one kilometer.

Example 2

Change 1: 200,000 to statement scale,

200,000cm 1km
= Xkm
100,000

Hence one centimeter represents two-kilometers

Example 3

Change 1: 50,000 to statement scale,

50,000cm 1km
= Xkm
100,000

Hence, One centimeter represents a half-kilometer.

Changing Statement to R.F scale

One centimeter represents sixty-kilometer

60 × 100,000 = 6,000,000
Hence the RF scale is 1:6,000,000

Example 2

One centimeter represents 0. 75 kilometer

0.75 × 100,000 = 75000

Hence the RF scale is 1: 75,000

Example 3

One centimeter represents Two kilometers

2 × 100000 = 200,000

Hence the RF scale is 1: 200000

DRAWING A LINER SCALE

A linear scale can be drawn in main three ways.

a) As a simple linear scale.

b) As a relationship between velocity and time.
c) As linear scale basing on a given distance.

DRAWING A SIMPLE LINEAR SCALE

Procedures to be followed.

1. Find the number of centimeters, which stand for one kilometer

2. Draw a horizontal line of at least 12 cm or 14 cm.
3. Divide the line into portions according to the statement scale
4. From 0‘ measure the angle of 20 or 30 degrees and draw a auxiliary line along the angle.
5. Divide the line into similar portions as the first one above.
6. Do the same from last point of the primary units.
7. Join the points of the three lines to confirm the primary side
8. On the secondary side draw a 90-degree lines downwards a upwards.
9. Divide the lines into equal portions according the scale given
10. Sub divides the 90-degree lines to get final secondary units
11. Finish by heading and writing the R.F scale used.

Drawing a Simple linear scale

Example I
Draw a linear scale of 1: 100,000

1:100,000
= 1km
100,000

One centimeter represents one kilometer.

A linear scale of 1: 100,000.

Example 2

Draw a linear scale of 1:200,000

1:200,000
= 2km
100,000

One centimeter represents two kilometers.

A linear scale of 1:200,000

Example 3

Draw a linear scale of 1:50,000

1:50,000
= 0.5km
100,000

1cm = 0.5 km

? cm = 1 km

= 2 cm

Thus, Two centimeters represents one kilometer.

A linear scale of 1:50,000

Now try Example 4

Draw a linear scale 0f 1: 25,000

1 cm = 0.25 km

? cm =1km
 1
= 4 cm Thus Four centimeters represents one kilometer
0.25

DRAWING A LINEAR SCALE IN RELATION TO VELOCITY AND TIME

Given a speed of a motorcar covering a length of a road between points a statement scale can be
formulated and scale linear drawn.

Procedures to be followed.

1. Calculate the distance covered by multiplying the speed/velocity the time given.
2. Using the map distance given and the ground distance obtain formulate a statement scale.
3. Draw a linear scale using the statement scale obtained.

Example 1

A car travels 100 km per hour covering a distance of a road between Magomeni and Ubungo in
30 minutes. Assuming that the distance between Magomeni and Ubungo measures 5 centimeter
on the map, construct a linear scale.

Solution

Ground distance covered = velocity x time.

30
100km × 60 = 50km

Thus ground distance covered = 50 km.

The statement scale will be Five centimeter to Fifty kilometer.

5cm 50km
Thus = =10km.
5 5

Hence One centimeter represents ten kilometers.

Then these statement scales a linear scale can be drawn showing that one centimeter on the map
represent ten kilometers on the ground.
DRAWING A LINEAR SCALE BASING ON A SPECIFIC DISTANCE

When a Ratio Fraction scale and a specific distance on the ground are given calculations can be
made and a linear scale be drab following the following procedures:

1. Carefully observe the data given.

2. Calculate the unit length of the linear scale to be drawn.
3. Calculate the length of the base line.
4. Start drawing a linear scale by drawing a base line.
5. Draw an auxiliary line at the angle 20° to 30° at the starting point upward and from the
end point downwards from the baseline.
6. Join the three lines with parallel lines to get the primary unit
7. Write 0 at the first unit and then continue with 1, 2, 3, 4,……. km
8. On the secondary side, draw 90° upwards and downward and divide into equal ten parts.
9. From the primary to secondary side, indicate the distance required,
10. Indicate heading to your drawing.

Example 1

Construct a metric linear scale for 1:30,000 to measure 1 kilometer.

Solution

If one kilometer = 100000 centimeters, how many kilometers will be represented by the given
30000 centimeters? (cross multiplication)

If 1cm = 100000cm.

? = 30000.
30000
= 0.3km
100000

Then, if 1cm = 0.3 km

 ?cm = 1km?

0.3 = 3.3 centimeters.

Thus, the unit length of the linear scale will be 3.3 cm to each one kilometer. To measure 1.6
kilometer, 2 kilometers are needed so as to get the base line. Therefore, the base line to be drawn
will be 3.3 × 2 = 6.6 cm base line.

Example 2.

Construct a metric linear scale of 1:25000 to read 1.8 kilometer.

If 1km = 100000

?km = 25000 cm

25000
= 0.25 km
100000

Then, if 1cm = 0.25

?cm = 0.25
1
= 4cm
0.25