Conversion Of Distance To Map Distance - SS1 Geography Lesson Note

To convert a real-world distance to a map distance, you need to know the scale of the map. The scale tells you how much one unit on the map (like an inch or a centimeter) represents in real-world distance. For example, if the scale of a map is 1 inch = 10 miles, then 1 inch on the map represents 10 miles in reality.

 

So, to convert a distance from a map to the real world, you would measure the map distance in inches or whatever unit the map uses and then use the scale to figure out the real-world distance. If you measure 2 inches on the map with a 1-inch = 10 miles scale, you know it represents 20 miles in reality.