Map Reading

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  Map Types

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  What is a map?

  A map is a plan that shows part or the whole of the Earth's surface.

  We use maps frequently in our lives, for example:

  • to get around towns.
  • to plan a vacation.

  Road maps show:

  • major and minor highways, and roads.
  • railways.
  • points of interest, such as national parks and campgrounds.

  Major highways are generally shown in bolded red.

  Minor roads are shown as a narrower red line.

  Unsealed roads are shown as a broken red line.

  In the Tourism and Hospitality industry a road map may be used by a tour guide.

  Street maps show:

  • roads and streets in a town or city.
  • features such as schools, swimming pools, golf courses, tourist parks and shopping centres.
  • the main roads leading out of the town.

  In the Tourism and Hospitality industry, street maps may be used for historic town walks.

  Topographic maps show natural and built features on the Earth's surface, including:

  • roads, buildings, urban areas, railways, airports and names of places.
  • lakes, rivers, streams, swamps.
  • mountains, valleys, slopes.
  • wooded and cleared areas, vineyards and orchards.

  In the Tourism and Hospitality industry, topographic maps may be used for recreational purposes, such as travelling, hiking and orienteering.

  Map Symbols

  Maps use symbols to represent features such as:

  • roads and tracks.
  • rivers and lakes.
  • buildings.
  • boundaries.

  A map legend (or key) shows the features shown on a map, and their symbols.

  Colour plays an important part in symbols, for example:

  • blue for water features.
  • green for vegetation.

  Map Scales

  A map represents a given area on the ground.

  A map scale refers to the relationship between:

  • distance on a map AND
  • the corresponding distance on the ground.

  Map scales can be shown using a scale bar.

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  Using Navigational Tools: Maps

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  Maps

  A map is a flat drawing of the world or part of the world.

  • A Compass Rose or North Point Diagram helps you understand direction.
  • Legends and grids help you locate things or places.
  • Scale bars help you work out distances.

  Compass Rose

  A compass rose shows:

  • north
  • south
  • east
  • west

  All maps should include a Compass Rose or North Point Diagram.

  Grid References

  A map grid:

  • is a set of horizontal and vertical lines on a map.
  • forms small squares on a map.

  Grid references are an easy way of accurately locating any point on a map.

  Street directories follow a system:

  • using letters to label grid squares along the horizontal axis.
  • using numbers to label grid squares along the vertical axis.
  • starting at the bottom left of the map.

  When stating a grid reference you must follow two important rules:

  • Always start from the bottom left hand corner of the grid squares.
  • The horizontal reading always comes before the vertical reading.

  Legend

  A map's legend (or key) lists the features shown on that map.

  Shapes, symbols and colours:

  • are used in a legend.
  • give meaning to the map.
  • may show roads, landmarks, rivers, forests.

  Remember to refer to the legend for exact details.

  Scale

  • A scale shows how distance on the ground corresponds to distance on a map.
  • A scale bar can be used to work out the distance between two points on the map.
  • A large scale map shows a small area, but in great detail, for example, Street Directories.
  • A small scale map shows a large area, but in less detail, for example: World maps.

  Measuring distances using a Scale Bar

  To measure the distance between two points on a map you can use:

  • a ruler.
  • a piece of string.

  and compare with the scale bar to work out the ground measurement.

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  Using Navigational Tools: GPS and
  Compass

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  Global Positioning System (GPS)

  GPS is a satellite based navigation system.

  It allows users to work out location, speed, and time

  • 24 hours a day.
  • in all weather conditions.
  • anywhere in the world.

  GPS receivers are:

  • generally accurate within 10 to 15 metres.
  • found in many cars, on computers and mobile phones

  If a GPS receiver has a display screen:

  • positions can be shown on that map.

  If you are moving, your receiver may also be able to calculate:

  • speed.
  • direction of travel.
  • times of arrival.

  GPS navigation is having an incredible impact on the tourism industry.

  • Transportation:
    • Rental vehicles - some have systems with audio, exact directions, and recommendations for restaurants, hotels and shopping.
    • Self-guided tours - travelling at your leisure and avoiding large tour groups.
  • Adventure Travel:
    • going off-road.
    • hiking, trekking, mountain biking, skiing, sailing.
    • GPS allows people to access tracks and trails in detail.

  GPS technology has changed the playing field of tourism businesses.

  Using a Compass

  Directions

  • four cardinal points - North, South, East and West.
  • four intercardinal points - north-east, south-east, south-west and north-west.
  • intercardinal points can be divided even further to NNE, ENE and so on.

  Compasses:

  • show cardinal points.
  • can tell which way is North.
  • should be carried by people going into untracked country.

  Parts of a compass

  • Compass Needle - red and black arrow.
  • Compass Housing - turntable with N S E W.
  • Direction of travel arrow - point where you want to go.
  • Numbers and tiny lines representing 360 degrees.

  For following rough directions, use the cardinal and intercardinal points.

  For following specific directions, use degrees.

  Hints for using a compass

  • Hold the compass level.
  • Read the correct end of the needle.
  • Keep the compass away from metal objects.

  REMEMBER - If you are taking a long hike in unfamiliar areas, carry a good map and a compass.

• Say It

  There are 2 parts in this section.

  1. The Glossary

  The glossary lists the more difficult words related to the topic in alphabetical order. The glossary also gives the meaning for each word.

  2. Look, Cover, Write, Check!

  This activity gives you practice at remembering and writing the words from the glossary.

• The Glossary

• Do It

  Jump to Activities

• Do It: Types of Maps and their Features

  

• Do It: Tourist Maps

  

• Do It: Using Navigational Tools - Maps

  

• Do It: Using Navigational Tools - GPS and Compass

  

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