Q&A for How to Read a Map

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Can I get clarification about the scaling of the map?

Community Answer

A scale is the ratio between the distance on the map and the real distance on the ground.

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Question

What's the difference between magnetic north and grid north?

Community Answer

Magnetic north is where your compass points and grid north are where the vertical lines on your map point to.map makers dont make maps to where your compass points because it isnt a fixed place and moves slightly every year.

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Question

What are some features that every map has in common?

Community Answer

Most maps have a key. For example, the capital city might be indicated by a star, and the key would tell you that. The main cities or towns in the state usually have medium-sized dots. Lots of them have lines marking the roads as well.

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Question

How do I calculate a distance between two points on map?

Community Answer

Measure and use map scale to calculate. If the map scale is 1-100 and the distance between the points is 4, then the distance between the two points is 400 (miles, kilometers, etc.).

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Question

How can I tell what type of map I have?

Community Answer

Look at the symbols. For example, a political map shows the cities and boundaries between a country and another country; a touristic map show the airports, special parks and place to visit.

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Question

What is the distinguishing factor between mental maps and cartographic maps?

Community Answer

Mental maps exist only in the head.

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Question

If I am looking at a map without a compass, how can I determine which direction is North, South, East or West?

Community Answer

Usually the top of the map is the North, the bottom is the South, the right side the East and the left is West. Compass points also require capitalization in writing.

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Question

What are the most important keys on a map?

Community Answer

The legend, the map scale and date are probably the most important keys. The legend will help you identify important features of the map and the scale will help you calculate the actual distance. The date ensures that you don't have an outdated map.

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Question

How do I read depressions on the map?

Community Answer

When the contour lines are closer together on a map, they indicate a steep slope. Think of contour lines as the distance between each incline. The closer together the inclines, the steeper the hill. On the other hand, the farther apart the lines are, this tends to indicate a depression in the landscape.

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Question

On a map, 1 inch equals 10 miles. If two cities are 2 inches apart on the map, how far are they actually apart?

CageyCat

Top Answerer

You've answered your own question, but you just don't realize it! If one inch equals 10 miles, and the two cities you need are 2 inches apart, that would be 20 miles. However, if another city is 2.5 inches from the other city, that would be 25 miles apart.

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Question

What is the bottom side of the map?

CageyCat

Top Answerer

The bottom on a map indicates South. It may be abbreviated as "S" on the face of the map.

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Question

How do I read a scale on a map?

CageyCat

Top Answerer

Scale is a ratio, the ratio on maps may not be the same, so you must look at the key. A ratio is written as number colon another number, such as 1:15, meaning 1 inch equals 15 miles.

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