Class - IV Session 2021 - 22 Subject - S.

ST
Name ______________________________Sec _______ Date_______

Types and Elements of Maps

Our earth is the only planet where life exists. Our earth comprises large land
masses called continents and the water bodies known as the oceans, seas, rivers,
lakes and gulfs. Their positions can be located on a map.

Maps

A map is a drawing of the earth or a part of the earth on a flat surface. It gives us a
great deal of information about a place. A person who prepares a map is called a
cartographer. A book containing maps is called an Atlas.

Advantages of Maps:
● They give more specific and detailed information.
● They are easy to carry.
● They can be folded or rolled.

Types of Maps
On the basis of information provided, maps are classified into different categories:
1) Physical maps: These maps show us the natural features of a place like
mountains, seas, rivers, lakes etc.
2) Political maps: These maps show the boundaries and places made by people
and governments, like countries, states, capital cities and other important
places.
3) Thematic maps: These maps give us information about special topics, or
themes, like rainfall, crops, industries, roads, railways etc.
Directions on a Map
We know that there are four major directions called the cardinal
directions. These are north, south, east and west. The top of the map
always shows the north and the bottom represents the south. Towards
the right hand side is the east and on the left is the west. The directions
on a map are shown with the help of a North Line.

Nepal is towards the north, Sri Lanka is in the south, Bangladesh is in the east and
Pakistan is in the west.

Scale of a Map
The actual size of a place cannot be shown on a map.
Therefore, a scale is used to represent the distance on
a map. Every map indicates its scale. It is usually
written in the corner of a map.

Suppose the distance between the two cities is 100 km. On the map, it is shown as
1 cm. So, the scale here is 1 cm = 100 km. In short, the scale shows the ratio
between the distance on the map to the actual distance on the ground.

Colour scheme of a Map

Maps are generally shaded with different colours. We can show and draw a variety
of information with the help of colours. Water bodies like oceans, seas, lakes and
rivers are always shown in blue. Light blue is used for shallow water and dark blue
shows deep water.
A key is always made on a map to tell the meaning of the colours used on a map.
Almost the same colour scheme is used on all maps.
The following colours are used to represent the physical features:

Colour Physical Features

Green Forests and Plains
Blue Oceans, rivers, lakes and seas
Light Brown Plateaus
Dark Brown Mountains and Hills
Yellow Agricultural land

Colours are also used in thematic maps to give various kinds of information. In
political maps, different colours are used to show the different countries.

Signs and symbols

Symbols are special signs
used in maps. Like colours,
symbols also help us to
understand maps. Railway
lines, roads, rivers and many
other types of information can
be shown with the help of
various symbols.