Map Scale

An odd map?

Thematic Map: Poverty Rates

Large Scale and Small Scale MapsScale determines the amount of detail a map will show.

Large Scale Maps: show a large amount of detail and a small area.

e.g. 1:50 000, 1:25 000 Small Scale Maps: show a small amount of detail over a large area.

e.g. 1:250 000, 1:500 000

*a map of the world that fits on an 8.5 x 11 inch piece of paper has a scale of 1: 100 million.

Scale

Area Detail Example

Large Scale Maps

(1:50 000 or less)

Small A lot (LOTS)(streets, schools, railways, …)

Topographic maps, road maps, city bus maps

Small Scale Maps

(1:250 000 or more)

Large A little (SMALL)(borders, lakes, large rivers, …)

Globes, world maps, atlases

Scale – Mapping Our Location

• North Grenville District High School

Scale – Mapping Our Location• North Grenville

District High School1cm = 100 ft

Scale – Mapping Our Location

• North Grenville District High School

1 cm= 500 ft

Scale – Mapping Our Location

• North Grenville District High School

1 cm= 2500 ft

Scale – Mapping Our Location

• North Grenville District High School

• 1 cm = 25 miles

Scale – Mapping Our Location• North Grnville District

High School

1 cm= 250 km

Map Scale

Direct Statement (DS): a statement about a distance on the map in comparison to the represented distance in the real world.

e.g. “one centimetre represents four kilometres”1 cm = 10 km

Map Scale

Linear Scale (LS): a straight line divided into units which can be used for measuring distance on a map.

Map Scale

• Representative Fraction (RF): a fraction that involves no mention of units. Because units are ignored, whatever you assign to one side must be assigned to the other.

e.g. 1: 50 000 1 cm : 50 000 cm

Scale: The Town of Gorham, Maine

Scale: Overview