A map is a scaled-down model of the earth's surface (the planet as a whole or its individual area), constructed using a coordinate grid and a system of certain signs. They will be discussed in this article. What are the conventions of geographical maps? And how many species are they divided into?
Geographical map and its meaning
A map is a reduced model of the Earth’s surface with a mathematical foundation. This, at the same time, is both an instrument and the result of the work of a geographer-researcher. Geographic maps allow a comprehensive study of the area and are used in many sectors of the economy. Moreover, they must be accurate, detailed and visual.
Geographic maps classify:
- in scale;
- territorial coverage;
- content;
- destination.
They can be complex and thematic, large and small-scale, educational, scientific and educational and tourist.
If the book consists of letters and words, then the geographical map is made up of special characters. And it is simply impossible to read any map or plan of the terrain without them. What are the symbols of geographical maps? And what do they look like? Let's find out together.
What do map symbols look like
Mountains, lakes, forests, settlements and roads - all these objects are displayed on maps with the help of certain signs and symbols. It can be lines, dashed lines, geometric shapes or simple patterns. Symbols of geographical maps can also be marked with color or hatching. Text labels are also used quite widely.
Geographical map symbols are a system of specially designed graphic signs that are used to display all kinds of objects, phenomena, processes, as well as qualitative and quantitative characteristics. Very often this system is called the map legend.
Map symbols should be easy to read. This is one of the most important requirements that is put forward for the construction of any maps. They should be well perceived by the eye and easy to remember. That is why many conventional signs resemble the appearance of objects or objects depicted by them. For example, a sign denoting a rocky ledge or stone is really similar to these objects.
Symbols of geographical physical maps and their classification
In cartography, all conventional signs are usually divided into four large groups:
- Large-scale.
- Scale out.
- Linear
- Explanatory.
Large-scale (contour or areal) signs are used to designate extended objects, the shape and shape of which can be expressed on the scale of a particular plan or map. These include designations of fields, forests, pastures, city blocks, etc. The boundaries of such objects can be represented by solid or dotted dotted lines.
If the object in reality is too small in size to be expressed on a map scale, then off-scale signs are used. They denote free-standing trees, stones, windmills, factory chimneys, churches, monasteries, etc.
Linear symbols of geographical maps are used for drawing highways, railways, administrative borders, power lines and other similar objects. Explanatory signs give an additional characteristic to a particular object. This can be as signatures of settlements, lakes, railway stations, or other graphic elements (for example, an arrow indicating the direction of the river).
How do settlements and roads appear on maps?
On large-scale topographic maps and plans of the locality, settlements are depicted as detailed as possible. At the same time, their general outlines and the nature of the layout are preserved, the main streets, avenues, squares, as well as individual large buildings are highlighted. Signatures to cities, as a rule, are executed in capital letters, to villages and towns - lowercase. The font size depends on the number of inhabitants of a particular locality.
The road network is an important element of any detailed map. Therefore, it is important to display it as fully and in detail. Railroads on topographic maps, as a rule, indicate absolutely everything (in bold black lines), indicating the number of tracks with short dashes. Also displayed are stations, platforms (in rectangles), bridges, tunnels and siding, and sometimes - travel booths and semaphores.
The maps also indicate automobile roads: highways, highways, local, unpaved, forest and field roads. Moreover, paved roads are usually painted orange.
How are water features displayed on maps?
Rivers, lakes, ponds, canals, streams and springs - all this is necessarily applied to topographic maps. Moreover, the detail of the display of water bodies of a particular territory depends on its scale.
The contours of lakes, ponds, reservoirs on the maps are indicated by blue lines, and the objects themselves are painted over in blue. When drawing rivers, indicate their width and depth in meters (using fractions), as well as the direction of the current (using the arrow).
Wells, springs and artesian wells are marked with the help of special off-scale signs. Wetlands are represented by horizontal short stripes of blue color.
How are relief and vegetation displayed on maps?
The relief on topographic maps is shown using the so-called contour lines. These are special lines connecting points with the same absolute height. With their help, you can get an idea of the nature of the earth's surface, the steepness of the slopes, the presence of various forms of relief on the ground. Horizontal lines are most often depicted in brown or gray.
On almost any detailed map you can see the "spots" and "belts" of green. These are forests. By off-scale signs, you can also determine whether this forest is coniferous, deciduous or mixed. Sometimes there you can find information about the height and thickness of the trunks in the forest, as well as the average distance between the trees.
Separate graphic elements on topographic maps denote shrubs, meadows, orchards, light forests, reeds thickets, etc.