What is meant by map interpretation?

Map reading (also sometimes written as map-reading) is the act of interpreting or understanding the geographic information portrayed on a map. To do this, the reader will need to derive essential information presented by the map such as distance, direction, natural and man-made features, and topographical features.

How do you write a map interpretation?

Read the legend. The legend tells you what you’re looking at, by providing a key to what the map’s visual elements (symbols, colors, overlay patterns, etc.) actually mean. In the case of thematic maps, it also shows you the units that are being displayed.

What is the difference between map reading and map interpretation?

Map interpretation is the process of examining a given topographical map of an area represented for the purpose of identifying the geographical information of an area. Map reading -is the process of examining the given topographical map, conventional symbols and signs.

What are the principles of map interpretation?

Five of the main design principles are legibility, visual contrast, figure-ground, hierarchical organization, and balance. Together these form a system for seeing and understanding the relative importance of the content in the map and on the page. Without these, map-based communication will fail.

What is interpretation of topographical map?

A topographic map is a type of map characterized by large-scale detail and quantitative representation of relief, usually using contour lines in modern mapping, but historically using a variety of methods. Traditional definitions require a topographic map to show both natural and man-made features.

Why are topographic maps important?

Topographical maps, also known as general purpose maps, are drawn at relatively large scales. These maps show important natural and cultural features such as relief, vegetation, water bodies, cultivated land, settlements, and transportation networks, etc.

What is the importance of topo map interpretation?

Topographic maps are an important tool because they can represent the three-dimensional landscape in two dimensions. A person who can read a topo map can find out the location of peaks, valleys, ridges and saddles, among other land features.

What are the methods of interpretation of topographical map?

Today, topographic maps are prepared using photogrammetric interpretation of aerial photography, LIDAR and other Remote sensing techniques. Older topographic maps were prepared using traditional surveying instruments.

Why do we use maps?

• Maps are a 2-D representation of a 3-D world. They are a ‘bird’s eye’ view – as if the viewer is ‘flying’ above the land surface and looking down on it • They show how objects are distributed and their relative size • Maps are a very useful way of visualizing all sorts of data and they are a key tool for geoscientists

What is a map for kids?

MAP READING & INTERPRETATION A map is a portion or part of the features of the earth’s surface drawn to scale on a plane surface such as paper, card, plastic, cloth or some other material. Or a map is a representation on any plane surface of the features of part or portion of the earth’s surface drawn to scale. ESSENTIALS OF A MAP.

What is the statement scale of a map?

1. STATEMENT OF SCALE This is the way of expressing the scale by using words. Example: 1:500,000 or 1cm to 5km. This means that one centimeter on the map represent five kilometers on the actual ground. NOTE: Statement scale is written in cm to km. fLINEAR SCALE DIAGRAM f Where by M-meters Km =kilometers II.

What are topographic maps?

Topography is a term used to describe all physical features of a given area. Topographic maps are small-s ale dra i gs of a part of the earth’s surfa e. These maps show:- (a) Location The geographic location in a map may be shown by using:- (i) Compass bearing. (ii) Grid reference. f (iii) Latitude and longitude.