Maps represent the spherical Earth on a flat surface, which requires projections that distort the globe's shape. Projections display the globe using planar, cylindrical, or conic shapes to flatten it. Scale relates distances on a map to actual distances, shown numerically as a ratio or linearly with a divided line. Numerical scale gives the fraction comparing map units to land units, while linear scale directly measures map distances.

1. 2nd graders SOCIAL STUDIES
Almudena Corrales Marbán
Almudena Corrales Marbán

2. Maps are used to represent areas of
land of the Earth as a whole. But our
planet is spherical, so it’s difficult to
draw it on a flat map. Projections
provide a solution to this problem.
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3. PROJECTIONS
In a projection, the spherical network of meridians and
parallels is drawn on a plane. All map projections distort the
surface represented to some degree, because a sphere can’t
be displayed on a flat surface. Several types of projection can
be used to represent the globe. They include planar,
cylindrical and conic projections.
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4. GEOGRAPHY. Oxford Student’s
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5. SCALE
It’s impossible to draw a map of the actual size of
the area it is trying to represent. You need to use
proportion or scale.
Scale is the mathematical relationship between the
actual size of an object or area and the size shown
on the map.
Scale is applied to units of lenght and surface
areas, and can be numerical or linear.
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6. NUMERICAL SCALE
A fraction telling you the relation between the distance shown on the
map (numerator) and the distance on land (denominator). So a scale of
1:50 000 means that a unit on the map represents 50 000 of the same
unit on land.
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7. LINEAR SCALE
Shown as a line divided into equal parts used to measure
distances on a map directly. To calculate the distance between
two points on map, all you need to do is measure that distance
with a ruler and apply the linear scale. Distances are usually
shown in kilometres.
You can use a compass or a ruler to
measure the distance on a map.
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8. Almudena Corrales Marbán