Map Making & Map

Reading

Surveying
The first step in map making is to gather information of the place of which the
map will be drawn.

Surveying: Surveying and land surveying is the measurement and mapping of

our surrounding environment using mathematics, specialised technology and
equipment.
- Surveyors observe, measure, and record what they see in a specific area.

Remote Sensing

REMOTE SENSING: the gathering of geographic information from a distance by

an instrument that is not physically in contact with the mapping site
- Today, most mapping is done by remote sensing
- These data are gathered primarily by aerial photography or by satellites.

Aerial Photograph

Remote Sensing

SATELLITES- Today, geographers rely heavily on satellites to provide geographic

data

- Two of the best-known satellites are Landsat and GOES.

- Landsat is actually a series of satellites that orbit more than 100 miles above
Earth. Landsat can scan the entire Earth in 16 days.

Landsat satellite
Landsat image

The science of Mapmaking

- Geostationary Operational Environment Satellite (GOES) is a weather satellite.
This satellite flies in orbit in sync with Earths rotation. By doing so, it always views
the same area. It gathers images of atmospheric conditions that are useful in
forecasting the weather.

Geographic Information System

The newest tool in the geographers toolbox is Geographic Information Systems
(GIS). GIS stores information about the world in a digital database. GIS has the
ability to combine information from a variety of sources and display it in ways that
allow the user to visualize the use of space in different ways.
Some Application of GIS:
1.

Finding best location

2.

Disaster Management

3.

River Channel Change

4.

Urban Planning

5.

Transport

Global Positioning System (GPS)

A familiar tool of geographers is GPS or Global Positioning System
The exact positionlatitude, longitude, altitude, and timeis displayed on a hand
held receiver. Hikers, explorers, sailors, and drivers use GPS devices to determine
location.
They are also used to track animals

Elements of Map
Most maps have these elements, which are necessary to read and understand them

Elements of Map
1. Title: The title explains the subject of the map and gives you an idea of what
information the map conveys.

Elements of Map
2. Neat Line: it borders all the map elements
3. North Arrow: shows you the north (N), south (S), east (E), and west (W) directions on the
map. Sometimes only north is indicated.

4. Symbols: Symbols represent such items as capital cities, economic activities, or natural
resources

Elements of Map
5. Legend: A legend or key lists explains the symbols and use of color on the map.

Map Scale
We know that all maps are reductions. The first decision that a map-maker has to
take is about the scale of the map. The choice of scale is of utmost importance. The
scale of a map sets limits of information contents and the degree of reality with
which it can be delineated on the map.
Map scale refers to the relationship (or ratio) between distance on a map and the
corresponding distance on the ground. For example, on a 1:100000 scale map, 1cm
on the map equals 1km on the ground.

Types of Map based on Scale

Class Activity# 5
1. Label the divisions of Bangladesh in
the Map given
2. Locate the places you and your friend
have visited in the map with symbols
3. Draw all the necessary map elements

Class Activity# 5

Class Activity# 6
1. In a given map of Bangladesh draw the major rivers of
Bangladesh
2. Show the Map elements
. Submission Deadline: 30th June 11 am