Geography🍇🪻 Flashcards
(22 cards)
What do small scale maps show?
Small scale maps show a small amount of detail and have a large denominator.
Example: 1: 30,000,000
What do large scale maps show?
Large scale maps show a lot more detail and have a smaller denominator.
What is a grid reference?
A grid reference uses map coordinates to locate a position on a map, divided into latitude and longitude lines.
How are values expressed in grid references?
Values are expressed as degrees, which can be subdivided into 60 minutes, and each minute can be divided into 60 seconds.
What is the format for coordinates?
Coordinates are always expressed as (degrees) (minutes) (seconds) (S or E).
What are contours on a map?
Contours are lines on a map that join places of equal height above sea level.
What do contour patterns indicate?
Contour patterns indicate the shape of the land.
What does a contour line represent?
A contour line shows height, and the height along the line is always the same.
What is the contour interval?
The height difference between contour lines is called the contour interval.
Do contours cross each other?
Contours NEVER cross.
What are conventional signs?
Conventional signs are a standardized set of icons used by cartographers to represent features on topographic maps.
What forms do conventional signs usually take?
Conventional signs usually take one of three forms: point (spot height, dipping tank), lines (roads, political boundaries), or areas (cultivated land, industrial parks).
What do different colors represent on maps?
Different colors are used: Blue = water, Green = vegetation, Brown = relief/soil, Grey/Red/Black = man-made features.
What do colors on a map indicate?
Colors give clues about interpreting climate and economic activity of the area.
What is the scale of most South African topographic maps?
Most South African 1:50,000 topographic maps have a set of conventional signs printed on them.
A ridge
Long area of high ground with lower ground on either side
Saddle
Dip in a ridge
A pass
Gap between 2 high ground areas, could have road going over it
Watershed
Area of high lying ground, separating 2 river systems, often runs along a ridge
Valley
Contours point upstream (fingers)
Spur
Contours point downhill (gaps)
Index contour
Shows round numbers
