Scales - SS1 Geography Lesson Note
A scale in the context of maps and models is a way of representing real-world features at a smaller or larger size while maintaining proportion and accuracy. It is like a "shrink" or "enlarge" button for the real world.
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Types of Scales:
- Verbal Scale: It uses words to describe the scale, like "1 inch represents 1 mile." This is common in guidebooks.
- Graphic Scale: This type uses a bar or line marked with distances. By comparing the length of the line to the distance it represents, you can gauge distances on the map.
- Representative Fraction (RF): Also known as the "fractional scale," it's expressed as a ratio, like 1:100,000. It tells you how many units on the map represent one unit in the real world.
Attributes of Scales:
- Scale Ratio: The numerical relationship between map distance and actual distance.
- Direction: Scales can be uniform (the same in all directions) or non-uniform (different in various directions).
- Large or Small: Scales can be either large (showing more detail in a smaller area) or small (showing a larger area with less detail).
Size (Small and Large Scales):
Small Scale: A small-scale map covers a large area but provides less detail. For example, a world map is a small-scale map.
Large Scale: A large-scale map covers a small area but provides more detail. A city street map is a large-scale map.
Merits of Scales:
Helps in accurate measurement and representation of features.
Useful for navigation, urban planning, and resource management.
Facilitates comparison and analysis of data.
Demerits of Scales:
Small-scale maps may lack detail, making them unsuitable for localized tasks.
Large-scale maps can become too detailed for broad overviews.
Changing scales in a map series can lead to inconsistencies in data presentation.