Representation of Geographical Features :
Globes and Maps
1. Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
a. An imaginary line called the Equator running horizontally on the globe divides it into _____ equal parts.
i. two. [✓]
ii. three. [ ]
iii. four. [ ]
iv. five. [ ]
b. The art of drawing maps is called
i. cartographer. [ ]
ii. atlas. [ ]
iii. sketch. [ ]
iv. cartography. [✓]
c. The direction halfway between north and east is called the
i. northwest. [ ]
ii. southwest. [ ]
iii. northeast. [✓]
iv. southeast. [ ]
d. Political and physical maps are
i. large-scale maps. [ ]
ii. small-scale maps. [✓]
iii. both. [ ]
iv. none. [ ]
e. _____ forms the arch of a mountain.
i. Anticline. [✓]
ii. Meander. [ ]
iii. River. [ ]
iv. Delta. [ ]
2. Name the following:
a. A large natural stream of water that flows from higher to lower ground.
= River.
b. The small rivers that join the main river and enlarge its volume.
= Tributaries.
c. The triangular-shaped alluvial deposits near the mouth of the river.
= Delta.
d. The up-fold part of a fold mountain.
= Anticline.
e. The down-fold portion or toughs or a fold mountain.
= Syncline.
3. State whether the following statements are 'true' or 'false':
a. Maps are never drawn to a scale. [F]
b. Plans do not take much time to prepare. [T]
c. The type of information that a map shows determines its title. [T]
d. Distance is an important component of a map. [T]
e. The four directions - north, south, east and west - are called the intermediate directions. [F]
4. Answer the following questions.
a. What is a globe? How is a globe useful?
= A globe is a three dimensional model of the Earth on a small size.
Globe shows the shape, size and location of all the continents and oceans on the Earth.
b. What is map? What are the different elements of a map?
= A map is a representation of the Earth as a whole or parts of it, drawn on a flat surface, to a scale.
The different elements of a map are - title, scale, north line, grid and legend.
c. What is sketch?
= A sketch is a rough drawing, showing some features of an area, not drawn to a scale.
d. Why is a plan prepared?
= A plan is prepared to show more details in a small area.
e. Explain the importance of maps.
= The importance of maps is explained as follows:
i) A map is easy to handle as it can be folded or rolled. Hence, it can be carried everywhere.
ii) It shows more details of small areas. Thus, it is very informative. It is specially useful to town planners, administrators and the military.
iii) It may show particular features, such as political divisions, physical features and population, with appropriate colours and symbols.
f. What are the different elements of a map?
= These are the elements help in understanding a map -
i) Title:- The type of information that a map shows determines its title.
ii) Scale:- The distances on the map relate to distance on the ground. The scale helps us to draw large areas of the ground accurately on a map.
iii) North Line:- It indicates the north direction and helps us to find the direction of any place on the map.
iv) Grid:- Grids are regular horizontal and vertical lines. They help in finding places on the map. The horizontal lines are northings while vertical lines are eastings.
v) Legends:- It explains various symbols and colours used in the map and helps us to interpret the information being provided by the map.
g. Explain the different types of maps based in scale.
= Based on their scale, maps can be divided into large-scale and small-scale maps.
i) Large-scale Map:- Large-scale maps show a small area in details as in topographical maps.
Minute features, both natural and man-made, such as trees, sand dunes, roads, bridges, post offices and huts can be shown on the large-scale map with the help of appropriate colours and symbols.
In these maps, 1 cm may represent only 1 km. Thus, the features are clearly visible.
ii) Small-scale Maps:- Small-scale maps show much details. For example, 1 cm on a map may represent 200 km on the ground.
World maps, continent maps, political and physical maps, mineral and agricultural maps are small-scale maps.
h. Why are conventional symbols necessary?
= Since a map represents a part of the Earth's surface in a small size, the space available on it is limited. Many features such as rivers, roads and settlements have to be shows on the map in the available limited space. Therefore, conventional symbols depict those features.
5. Thought provoking questions:
a. Why does the map represent the Earth's surface as accurately as a globe?
= Map is generally drawn on a flat surface. On the other hand, globe is a three-dimensional representation of earth. It has almost same shape like the earth. So, it represents earth's surface better than maps.
b. Distinguish between a plan and a sketch.
=
|
Plan |
Sketch |
|---|---|
|
i .Plans may have a scale. |
i. Sketches are never drawn to a scale. |
|
ii. Plans show limited features of a small area. |
ii. Sketches show relevant details. |
c. Difference between delta and distributary.
= Delta is the triangular-shaped alluvial deposits near the mouth of the river. On the other hand, distributaries are the numerous river branches near the mouth of the river.