SECTION terpreting maps and photographs 1 How to find grid references Ordnance Survey (OS) maps have gridlines drawn on them to enable locations to be given. The lines that run, “up and down’, and inerease in value from left to right, (west to east) are called eastings. Those that run across the map and increase in value from bottom to top (south to north) are called northings. To locate a grid square on a map, we use a four-figure reference. The first two digits refer to the easting value, and the second two digits to the northing value. The four figure reference for square A on Figure 1 is 3478; notice that square A is the square after the values 34 and 78 (that is, to the right of line 34 and above line 78) To locate a point rather than a square, each squate is split into ‘tenths’ to give a six-figure reference. Look at Figure 1 and notice that point X is at grid reference 355762. Notice how the eastings value is represented by the three digits 355 and the northings value is represented by the digits 762. It is the third digit of each set that is the ‘tenths’ value. Thus the eastings value is 35 and 5/10ths, and the northings value is 76 and 2/10ths. The key thing with grid references is to remember to give the eastings value first, and then the northings value. Some people use the phrase ‘along the corridor and up the stairs’ to get the order right! 79- These are ue called thir northings | 7m 33 Square A = 3478 ———_—> X = 355762 These are called eastingsHow to... 2 How to give compass directions Figure 2 shows the compass directions, Most of the time ona map, the direction north is ‘straight up’, but it is very. important that you check the key when examining maps and diagrams, Be sure to express a compass direction carefully and precisely, ©, Settlement X isto the north-west of settlement Y. 3 How to measure distance Distance can be measured asa straight-line distance or as a curved-line distance, for example along a road or a tive. Every map has a scale, usually in the form of a measured line (called a linear seale) with distances written alongside. To calculate a straight-line distance, you ‘imply measure the distance on the map between the {wo points in question, using a ruler or the straight edge ‘ofa piece of paper. You then line up your ruler oF paper alongside the linear scale to discover the actual distance on the ground in kilometres or miles, Curvedsline distance 1 Place the straight edge of a piece of paper along the route to be measured. Mark the start with the letter S. Look along the paper and mark off the point where the route moves away from the straight edge. Straightline distance 1 Use a ruler to measure the ‘two places on the map, istance between centimetres. 2 Pivot the paper and mark off the next straight section. Repeat this until you reach the end of the route. Mark finishing point with the letter F 2 Measure out the distance on the map's linear scale to discover the distance on the ground in kilometres. 3 Place the edge of the marked paper alongside the linear scale ‘on the map and convert the total length to kilometres, 9 1 2 2 4km fe ea ee 4km end 2 4 em on the map = 2.0 km on the groundee ww 5 How to calculate gradient Contour lines are elose together when they show steeply sloping mountainous and hilly areas, When the contour lines ate farther apart they show ator gemty sloping places such as Noodplains and coastal plains. The gradient {ives a more precise description ofthe change ih the slope Ofte land. The gradient fs the relationship ofthe vertical Aiference tothe horizontal distance between two pois. Vertical diference, = Horizontal distance For example, find the gradient between place A and place 3. Place is located at the 400m contour and place B is located at the 900m contour. The places are 2km apart (ee Figure 6) Gradient = How to... “The gradient between place A and place B becomes: 500m 2M hich Note hat the horizon stances convened to mete Zon the ap (rer) and botom enominets) Siri tncuse uct tees wa The San conven 20000 neta step remains. The enc ference slays erste 1 se dele te aston rie sani he numerator to mama the to stom +30 km =500 4 Tc nd ise approximately one mex fr every four mes of dsance een pace Aan place B ort 6 How to describe relief Relief is the geographical term used to describe the lie of the land, Exam mapwork questions frequently ask for descriptions of relief. To give a comprehensive answer you should comment on the following features ‘# The height ofthe land, using actual figures taken from ‘contours or spot heights to support your points, Using. ‘words like ‘high’ and low is fairly meaningless without the use of actual figures. '¢ The slope ofthe land ~ is the land flat, or sloping? Which way do the slopes face? Are the slopes gentle orsteep? Are there bare cliffs exposed? Again, itis important to give precise supporting information stich as grid relerences, compass directions, ete ‘© The presence of features such a valleys, dry valleys, cescarpments, etc. Refer to names and use grid references. 7 How to describe drainage Drainage i all about the presence (or absence) and flow of water When describing the drainage of an area try to comment on the following: {© The presence or absence of rivers. Which way are they flowing (look at the contours)? Is there a dense network of rivers? Are the rivers single or ‘mult-channelled? Give names of the rivers, and use distances, heights and ditections to add depth to your description, ‘¢ The pattern of rivers (see Figure 7) ‘© The influence of people on drainage channels, for ‘example straightened channels, built embankments, ft Staight channels are rae in natue and usally indicate human intervention. ‘© Evidence of underground drainage, in the form of springs or wells. ‘© Presence of lakes, artificial or man-made.How to.. 8 How to describe settlement is possible to describe how settlements relate to the land. This is done by describing the sit, situation, shape and function of the town or village. Site — what is the'wetwalT6eation of the settlement? Is it on a hill, a river bank, a plain or ata crossroads? Situation — where is the settlement in relation to other features? Is it in the east, west, inland, coastal, near a ‘major toad or port? Shape (Layout or Form) ~ is the settlement nucleated, linear, or dispersed? (see Figure 8) Function ~ Are there marketing, industry, tourism, agriculture oF government services present? = rar Y foam g Nucleated Linear Dispersed 9 How to describe communications This involves describing the forms of transport available and how many routes are present, Are there airports and ports present? Ate thete major or minor roads? How does the relief and drainage affect the pattern of these roads? Do the roads cross through river valleys oF floodplains ‘or avoid steeply sloping mountains? Are they avoiding Swamps or other areas with ponds or depressions? Is the toad newwork denser in lowlands than in the mountains? 10 How to describe land use and natural vegetation Land use relates to the human use of the land for agriculture, industry or settlement, Read the map key t0 find out which crops are represented by the colours and symbols used on the map, Usually the presence of nearby towns, rivers or canals, gently sloping land, marketing fr processing plants, roadways and ports contribute to the location of agricultural plantations, State the specific names and grid references of these features when explaining why a particular crop is grown in the region. for Natural vegetation remains on land that is not used agriculture, industry or settlement, Study the map key for the colours an symbols used! for these forests, swamp, ‘savannas, scrub lands and thickets. Natural vegetation remains on steep slopes or rugged terrain, areas with poor drainage ot in protected forest reserves. 11 How to describe potential hazards Use only the map evidence to identify and explain the potential hazards to the settlements on the map. Look for tevidence such as steep slopes, place names in volcanic: regions, low coastal or floodplain location, nearby rainage, industrial activity and fuel tanks to provide reasons for the identified hazards. 12 How to describe disparity in development (One region on the map may appear to support more economic activity than another region. Use specific names and grid references when describing the difference in economic activity between the two regions. Physical or social reasons could explain the disparities. For instance, one region may be the focus of agriculture, tourism or industry which is wel supported by government services, has access to a good road network and airport as wel as.a large population settled on gently sloping and ‘well drained land. There are usually well developed port facilities of sandy beaches present in these areas, ‘Compare this to another region which might have few limited, low grade economic activity and services because of a low population and a high risk of potential hazards as aaresult of steep slopes and poor drainage. There is usually limited access to any roads oF footpaths, mainly natural vegetation and it could be a low lying coastal location swith mangrove forest on the coast 13 How to draw a sketch from a photograph Itis important to realise that the purpose ofa sketch is to identify the main geographical characteristics of the landscape (Figure 9). 1s not necessary to produce a