Maharashtra Board Class 8 Geography Chapter 9 Map Scale PDF Download

Map Scale

A painter takes an estimated scale of the scene in front of him with a pencil. After that he draws a sketch on the paper. The painter does this so that the picture is drawn to scale.

In the preparation of maps, the picture is first surveyed. At that time after special observation a scale is fixed. Using this scale, an outline map of the whole earth or a part of it is prepared.

Try This Activity

In order to measure the height of students, make markings on the wall from the ground up to a height of 180 cm with the help of a ruler.

Measure the height of each student and note it down.

With the same wall as a backdrop take a photograph of the students in groups of five.

After studying the picture have a discussion in the class and answer the following questions.

Why is the painter holding the pencil in his hand in a particular way?

How can the scene of this large landscape be depicted on paper?

How is it possible to view all the countries of the world on one map?

What is common to both these pictures?

Teacher's Note

Map scale helps us show big areas on small paper. Just like a tailor uses measurements to make clothes, map makers use scales to show real distances on maps.

Exam Trick

Remember: Scale means making something smaller on paper but keeping the same ratio. Like a passport photo is small but looks like you, a map is small but shows real places correctly.

Points to Remember

A painter uses a pencil to measure distances before drawing.
Map scale helps show real distances on paper.
The same principle is used in both painting and map making.
Scale means reducing real size but keeping proportions correct.

Geographical Explanation

We obtain information about the earth or some specific part of it from a globe or a map. While preparing a map, in order to get the actual ground distances on to paper, some conversions have to be made using Geometry and Mathematics. The use of map scale is useful for this conversion.

Can You Tell?

The actual distance between the two villages of Sahil and Minal is 50 km. The distance between the villages of Minal and Pragnya is 20 km and between Sahil and Praghya's villages is 60 km. The scale of the map is 1 cm = 10 km. Measure the distances on the map and find out which village belongs to whom. Note the names and the distances.

Geographical Explanation

In a map scale it is essential to correlate the distance between two points on a map and the actual distance between these two points on the ground. The ratio of the map distance to the ground distance is map scale.

To draw a map true to scale it is essential to know the ground distances. These distances are measured during surveying. While preparing a map, based on the distances a suitable ratio is selected. After the preparation of the map it is necessary to mention the map scale. This facilities map reading and helps in understanding the distances on the ground.

There are three ways of expressing the scale on a map.

Teacher's Note

Map scale shows the relationship between distance on paper and real distance on ground. In India, we use this to measure distances between cities like Mumbai and Delhi.

Exam Trick

Remember: Map distance to ground distance is called map scale. Think of it like a recipe - 1 cup of flour on paper means 10 km of real land.

Points to Remember

Map scale connects map distance to real ground distance.
Surveyors measure real distances first, then choose a scale.
The map scale must be written on every map.
Map scale helps us read and understand distances correctly.

The Three Ways of Expressing Map Scale

(1) Verbal Scale

A verbal scale is one in which distances are expressed with the use of words indicating measurement. For example, if the scale is 1 cm = 60 km then cm is the unit of distance on the map and km is the unit of distance on the ground.

(2) Numerical Scale

The scale is expressed as a ratio. For example, in 1:60,00,000, 1 represents the distance on the map, and 60,00,000 represents the distance on the ground. This is 60,00,000 times the map distance. It is also known as representative fraction. In this scale only numbers are used. This scale is also written as 1:60,00,000. In this method there are no words used indicating measurement. The same unit used for the figures on the left hand side is also used for the figures on the right hand side.

(3) Linear Scale / Graphical Scale

This scale is shown graphically on a map. The distance between any two points on a map is measured with the help of linear or graphical scale.

If a ruler is not available then a compass, a blade of grass or for curves a thread can be used for measuring the actual distances between places on a map.

Teacher's Note

There are three types of scales - verbal (words), numerical (numbers), and graphical (pictures). When you look at any map in India, you will see all three types of scales.

Exam Trick

Remember the three scales: Verbal = 1 cm = 10 km (uses words), Numerical = 1:10,00,000 (uses numbers), Graphical = a line with markings (a picture).

Points to Remember

Verbal scale uses words to show distances.
Numerical scale uses only numbers as a ratio.
Graphical scale shows a line with distance markings.
Graphical scale changes size when map is enlarged or reduced, but other scales stay the same.

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