Map Work and Practical Geography
Map work and practical geography tests scale, direction, symbols, contours, cross-sections and data presentation. Answers must show the method, not only the final figure.
Core rules
- Scale may be a statement, representative fraction (RF) or graphical bar. RF 1:50,000 means 1 cm on the map represents 50,000 cm on the ground.
- Direction: grid north, true north and magnetic north differ; use the map's north arrow.
- Contours join points of equal elevation; closely spaced contours mean a steep slope. A V-shaped contour pointing upstream indicates a valley.
- Thematic maps show one variable; isolines, choropleths, dot maps and flow maps have different uses.
Worked example
On a 1:50,000 map, a road measures 4 cm. Ground distance = 4 × 50,000 cm = 200,000 cm = 2 km. If the same road is 8 cm on another map, its scale is 1:25,000, because 8 cm represents 2 km. Show the conversion to metres and kilometres.
Traps
An RF has no units; do not write 1:50,000 km. Contours never cross. Do not measure along a straight line when the question asks for route length. Do not confuse magnetic north with grid north. Label map extracts clearly if a practical question requires it.