Map skills

Question 1

What are contours?

Answer 1

These lines drawn join places of equal height. They are usually an orange or brown colour. If contour lines are close together the slope is steep, if they are far apart the slope is gentle.

Question 2

What are spot heights?

Answer 2

shows exact height above sea level by a black dot with a number next to it.

Question 3

What are triangular pillars?

Answer 3

blue triangle with exact height above sea level written next to it.

Question 4

What is scale/distance?

Answer 4

Used for calculating distances. Given by the scale statement

Question 5

What are grid references?

Answer 5

A grid of squares helps the map-reader to locate a place. On an OS map each grid square is 1 km x 1 km or 1 sq km. When you give a grid reference, always give the easting first: “Along the corridor and up the stairs”.

Question 6

How would you find a four-figure grid reference?

Answer 6

1. Start at the left-hand side of the map and go east until you find the easting crossing the bottom left-hand corner of the square. Write this down.

Move north until you get to the northing crossing the bottom left hand corner of the square. Add this number to the two digit number you already have.

Question 7

How would you find a six-figure grid reference?

Answer 7

To be even more accurate., imagine that each grid is divided into tenths.

1. Find the four-figure grid reference but leave a space after the first two digits. When you get to the easting at the left-hand side of the grid square you want, keep moving east and estimate or measure how many tenths across your symbol lies. Write this number after the first two digits.
2. Move north from the bottom-left-hand corner of your grid square and estimate how many tenths your symbol is from this point. Put them together to create a six figure grid reference.