The document provides information on how to read and interpret topographical maps. It discusses key elements of maps including symbols, scale, contour lines, and compass use. Maps are representations of land or sea that use symbols to denote physical and human features. Contour lines connect points of equal elevation, with closer lines indicating steeper slopes. A compass is used to find cardinal and intercardinal directions as well as compass bearings between points in degrees. Scale relates distances on a map to actual ground distances using ratio or linear scales.

1. Topographical
Map Reading
Lower Sec Geographical Skills

2. 1) Map
• A
representation of an area
of
land
or
sea
in
the
form
of
a
diagram.
• We
often
refer
to
maps
when
we
travel
or
when
we
are
finding
our
way
to
places.

3. 1) Map
• It
can
show
boundaries between countries,
physical
features,
elevation,
cities,
roads,
climates,
economic
activities
etc.

4. 1) Map
• It
can
show
boundaries
between
countries,
physical features,
elevation,
cities,
roads,
climates,
economic
activities
etc.

5. 1) Map
• It
can
show
boundaries
between
countries,
physical
features,
elevation,
cities,
roads,
climates,
economic
activities
etc.

6. 1) Map
Is
a
globe
a
map?
• Yes!
Globes
are
some
of
the
most
accurate
maps
that
exist.

7. Antique
map:
400-­‐year-­‐old
map

8. Notice
any
differences?
(Commonly
used)

9. Area
accurate
Peters
Projection
Map
overlaid
with
commonly
used
Mercator
Projection
Map
Mercator
Map
Peters
Map

10. 2) Map Symbols
Used
to
represent
physical & human
features
in
an
area.

11. 2) Map Symbols
• The
legend:
contains
symbols
to
help
us
locate
features
on
the
map.

12. 3) Compass
• An
instrument
containing
a
magnetized
pointer
that
shows the direction of the
magnetic north &
bearings
from
it.

13. 3) Compass (i. Compass Direction)
• There
are
four compass points (cardinal
points):
North
(N),
South
(S),
East
(E)
&
West
(W)
• If
the
north
line
or
compass
rose
is
not
given
on
the
map,
assume
that
north is
towards the top
of
the
map.

14. 3) Compass (i. Compass Direction)
• Can
be
further
divided
into
eight compass
points
(intercardinal
/
ordinal
points).

15. 3) Compass (i. Compass Direction)
• A
16-point compass
rose
(secondary
intercardinal
points):

16. 3) Compass (ii. Compass Bearing)
• The
compass
direction
between
two
points
measured
in
degrees.
(
˚)
(
˚)
(
˚)
(
˚)
(
˚)
(
˚)
(
˚)
(
˚)

17. 3) Compass (ii. Compass Bearing)
• Find
the
compass
bearing
of
the
nearest
hospital
from your
current
location.
Step
1:
Draw compass rose
on
current
location.
Your
current
location
Nearest
hospital
N

18. 3) Compass (ii. Compass Bearing)
• Find
the
compass
bearing
of
the
nearest
hospital
from your
current
location.
Step
2:
Join both locations
with
a
straight
line.
Your
current
location
Nearest
hospital
N

19. 3) Compass (ii. Compass Bearing)
• Find
the
compass
bearing
of
the
nearest
hospital
from your
current
location.
Step
3:
Measure clockwise
starting
from
the
north
arrow.
Your
current
location
Nearest
hospital
N

20. 3) Compass (ii. Compass Bearing)
• Find
the
compass
bearing
of
the
nearest
hospital
from your
current
location.
Step
3:
Measure clockwise
starting
from
the
north
arrow.
Your
current
location
Nearest
hospital
N
180˚

21. 3) Compass (ii. Compass Bearing)
• Find
the
compass
bearing
of
the
nearest
hospital
from your
current
location.
Step
3:
Measure clockwise
starting
from
the
north
arrow.
Your
current
location
Nearest
hospital
N
Ans:
180˚
+
72˚
=
252˚
180˚

22. 3) Compass (ii. Compass Bearing)
• Modern
instruments:

23. 4) Contour Lines
• Lines
drawn
on
maps
connecting points of equal
elevation
(ie.
equal
heights).

24. 4) Contour Lines
When
contour
lines
are
far
apart,
it
means
that
the
height
of
land
changes
very
li<le
over
a
short
distance.
This
indicates
a
gentler
slope.
When
contour
lines
are
close
together,
it
means
that
height
of
land
changes
a
lot
over
a
short
distance.
This
indicates
a
steep
slope.

25. 4) Contour Lines

26. 5) Scale
• All
maps
show
things
smaller
than
they
are
in
real
life.
• Maps
are
drawn to
scale for accuracy.
Ratio
scale
Linear
scale

27. 5) Scale (i. Ratio scale)
1 : 25 000 means
that
1
cm
on
the
map
represents
25
000
cm
on
the
actual
ground.
Ratio
scale
1
:
25000
1
cm
(on
map)
:
25000
cm
(actual
ground)
÷
100
1
cm
(on
map)
:
250
m
(actual
ground)
÷
1000
1
cm
(on
map)
:
0.25
km
(actual
ground)

28. 5) Scale (ii. Linear scale)
A
distance
of
3
cm
on
the
map
represents
1
km
on
the
actual
ground.
Linear
scale

29. 6) Grid Reference
• Vertical
grid
lines
are
called
eastings
because
their
values
increase
eastwards.

30. 6) Grid Reference
• Horizontal
grid
lines
are
called
Northings
because
their
values
increase
northwards.

31. 6) Grid Reference (i. 4 Figure grid)
• Used
to
identify
the
general
location of
a
feature
on
a
map.

32. 6) Grid Reference (i. 4 Figure grid)
Find
the
4
figure
grid
reference
of
Lake
Cedric.
Step
1:
Find the grid
where
Lake
Cedric
is
located
in.
Step
1

33. 6) Grid Reference (i. 4 Figure grid)
Find
the
4
figure
grid
reference
of
Lake
Cedric.
Step
2:
Extend
the
lines
on
the
Left-bottom
corner.
Step
2

34. 6) Grid Reference (i. 4 Figure grid)
Find
the
4
figure
grid
reference
of
Lake
Cedric.
Step
3:
Write down the
easting first,
followed
by
the
northing.
Ans:
2 1 3 9

35. 6) Grid Reference (ii. 6 Figure grid)
• Gives
a
more
specific
location
of
a
feature
on
a
map.

36. 6) Grid Reference (ii. 6 Figure grid)
Find
the
6
figure
grid
reference
of
Bob’s
Boathouse.
Step
1:
Find the grid
where
Bob’s
Boathouse
is
located
in.
Step
1

37. 6) Grid Reference (ii. 6 Figure grid)
Find
the
6
figure
grid
reference
of
Bob’s
Boathouse.
Step
2:
Extend
the
lines
on
the
Left-bottom
corner.
Step
2

38. 6) Grid Reference (ii. 6 Figure grid)
Find
the
6
figure
grid
reference
of
Bob’s
Boathouse.
Step
3:
Write
down
the
4
figure
grid
reference.
Step
2
2 1 __ 3 8 __

39. 6) Grid Reference (ii. 6 Figure grid)
Find
the
6
figure
grid
reference
of
Bob’s
Boathouse.
Step
4:
Divide
the
length
&
breadth
of
the
grid
into
10 equal parts.
Step
2
2 1 __ 3 8 __

40. 6) Grid Reference (ii. 6 Figure grid)
Find
the
6
figure
grid
reference
of
Bob’s
Boathouse.
Step
5:
Count
the
grid
line.
Fill
in
the
blank
with
the
line
number.
Step
2
2 1 __ 3 8 __
7
4
4 7