2. Map
Map is the representation of earth or its part on plane paper with
reference to a particular scale.
It helps us identify the places and locations within an area
helping us to navigate from one place to another.
3. Components of a map
A map should include the following components-
1. The title
2. Scale
3. Direction
4. Grid system
5. Legend or symbols.
4. 1. The Title
It indicates the purpose or theme of the map.
Example: India – Physical, World – Political, Tamil Nadu –
Transport.
5. 2. Scale
Ascale is a ratio between the actual distance on the map to
the actual distance on the ground.
Scale makes it possible to reduce the size of the whole earth to
show it on a piece of paper.
6. 3. Direction
Direction is usually indicated on a map by a North-South line, with
the North direction represented by an arrow head.
Directions are cardinal points like North, South, East and West.
7. 4. Grid System
The location of a place can be simply defined by
its latitude and longitude. In normal practice, latitude
is stated first and then comes the longitude.
The latitude and longitude of a place can be expressed
in units of degree, minutes and seconds.
8. Latitude or Parallel:-
Latitude of any place is the angular distance between that
place and equator line measured at the centre of the earth.
Longitude and Meridians:-
Longitude of any place is the angular distance between that
place and Greenwich meridian measured at equator plane.
9. 5. Legend
The legend of a map helps to understand the map
details which are placed at the left or right corner at the
bottom of the map.
The legend, or key, lists and explains the symbols and
colors used in map.
10. Types of Maps
Maps are mainly classified into:
Physical or Relief Maps: These show natural features of
the earth.
Political Maps: These maps show the cities, town and
villages, countries and states of the world with their
boundaries.
Thematic Maps: These maps focus on specific information
like the map of a rainfall, roads, tourist places.
11. Globe vs Map
A map gives a two dimensional presentation of certain regions in the world, a globe
gives a three dimensional presentation of the entire world.
The globe represents the whole earth, whereas a map may represent the whole earth or
just a part of it.
A map is easy to use and portable, whereas a globe is not.
A map presents the physical features of a particular region of the earth on a plane
surface.
A globe can be called as a duplicate earth. It is round in shape and shows accurate
areas, distances, directions and relative shape and size.
A map presents a distorted view as it is flat. On the contrary, a globe presents a less
deformed view as it is round in shape.
12. Globe
Globe is the exact replica of the earth which is used to represent places
with their true locations in terms of parallel and meridians.
Merits:-
1. It gives the real picture of the earth.
2. It present true location of any point of earth.
Demerits:-
1. Once cannot view 2 further point at a glance.
2. Measurement of 2 points is difficult as the distance between two
points in curved.
3. Globe is not very convenient for portability.
13. Map Projection
Map projection is the representation of earth’s
graticule on the plan surface.
According to F.J. Monkhouse-
A map projection is representation of the earth’s
parallels and meridians as a net or graticule on a plan
surface.
15. PROPERTIES OF MAP PROJECTION
Three principal cartographic criteria;
1. Conformality : correct representation of shapes.
2. Equidistance : correct representation of distances.
3. Equivalency : correct representation of areas.
16. Classification of map projections
a) on the basis of light used in projections
i) Perspective projection
ii) Non- perspective projection
b) on the basis of construction
i) Conical projection
ii) Cylindrical projection
iii) Zenithal projection
iv) Conventional projection
c) on the basis of position of source of light
i) Gnomonic
ii) Stereographic
iii) Orthographic
17. d) On the basis of merits/properties of map projections
i) Orthographic
ii) Homolographic
iii) Azimuthal
