4. Map Scale

Notes Printable Handout HERE

WORKSHEET HERE

Map scale refers to the relationship (or ratio) between distance on a map (cm) and the corresponding distance on the ground (usually km).

MAP SCALE : Distances in the real world….

The Map Scale shows the relationship between the distance on a map in centimeters and the

actual distance on the earth’s surface in kilometers.

Map distance from Ottawa to Toronto on a map is 4 cm. In real life, Ottawa is 400km from Toronto.

So each 1 centimeter on the map is equal to 100km in real life. That is scale, or shrunk distances.

The scale of the map in this case 1cm to 100km

3 WAYS TO SHOW SCALE -

Map scale most often uses 1centimeter on the map to compare to real world distances.

You are always trying to figure out distance 1 centimeter on the map is in real life.

A ) DIRECT STATEMENT: 1cm to 257km

Has different units of measurements (cm to km) 1cm = 257 km

An = sign or the word "to" are used interchangeably 1cm to 2km

Most often used with small scale maps like 1cm = 2km

World, Country, Provincial maps...

B) REPRESENATIVE FRACTION (RF) (also called Ratio)

Uses same units of measure – always cm to cm 1: 25 000

(Remember there are 100 000 cm in 1km) 1: 50 000

Most often used with large scale maps like 1: 100 000

topographic maps, bus routes, one part of a city.

C) LINEAR or BAR STATEMENT:

A segmented line that represent a Direct Statement

Always solve for 1 centimeter, not the last distance shown

MAP SCALE CONVERSION Remember! There are 100 000 cm in 1km.

How to convert cm's to km's.

1. Measure the distance in CM on your map.

2. Multiply your measured centimeters by the second number of your scale

Scale : 1 to 25km

- Measured cm on map = 4cm

- So 4 x 25km = 100km

Scale: 1: 50 000

- Measured cm on map = 4cm

- So 4 x 50 000 = 200 000 (cm) remember!!

- So 200 000cm = 2km

(there are 100 000cm's in 1km)

LARGE AND SMALL SCALE MAPS Different maps use different scales.

Scale varies according to the amount of detail required (land area and visible detail)

World map –> small detail + large land area = small scale

City map, topographic –> great detail + small land area = large scale

LARGE SCALE : Large amount of detail , so smaller land area of view (city map) (zoomed in)

Ex: scale 1: 50,000 1:2500 or less 1cm to 1km

–>Uses: residential planning, hiking, military purposes (topographic maps)

SMALL SCALE : Small amount of detail, so larger land area of view (world map) (zoomed out)

Ex: 1: 2,000,000 1cm to 257 km

–> Uses: World, Country, Province or large city maps

Shows general details, such as political boundaries, major city locations, physical and ecological info.

ONLINE ACTIVITY: Review concepts here