Maps
- Questions in the exam will be based on topographical maps
- The maps can be from anywhere in the world
- Maps will have a key, scale, northings and eastings
- These all need to be used to answer the questions
Grid references
- 4-figure are used to locate specific grid squares within the map
- The first two figures are the eastings which indicate how far east or west a grid is across the map
- The second two figures are the northings which indicate how far north or south a grid is on the map
- 6-figure grid references are used to locate exact points within grid squares
- The first three figures are the eastings
- The second three figures are the northings
- To find a 4 and 6 figure grid reference
- First, find the four-figure grid reference by giving the number from the bottom of the map first and then the number from the side of the map.
4 - figure grid reference
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- In image above the 4-figure grid reference would be 17, 51
- To give the 6-figure grid reference you need to image that the grid square is divided into 100 smaller squares
Exam Tip
The paper 2 exam will always contain a map. You will be expected to be able to give and use grid references to locate specific places on the map extract.
Scale
- Maps in the exam will either be scale 1:25,000 where 1cm on the map = 25,000cm (250m) in real life or 1:50,000 where 1cm =50,000cm (500m) in real life
- When the distance is straight or almost straight it can either be measured using a ruler or the edge of a straight piece of paper.
- Using the scale at the bottom of the map mark distances are marked on a piece of paper.
- This can then be laid from the first point to the second point to calculate the distance.
Using scale to measure a straight line
- A distance along a curved route can be divided, the paper rotated and marked in stages to calculate the full distance
- To measure from A to B following the road on the map below the route can be divided into a series of straight sections using crosses.
- The plain piece of paper can then be used to measure from A to the first cross. It should then be rotated, pivoting at the cross to mark the second cross.
Measuring a Curved Route
Bearings
- Directions on a map should always be given using compass points
- There are 16 compass points
Sixteen Compass Points
- A grid bearing is measured from grid north at 0o, East is 90o, South is 180o and West is 270o
- Grid bearings are given using a protractor
- The 0o should be pointing north and the centre of the protractor on the place the bearing is been given from
- The compass direction and grid bearing from the crossroads at A to the location at B
- On the map below B is South West of A
- The bearing is 280o
Height
- Height can be shown in three main ways;
- Spot height
- Contour lines
- Trigonometrical stations
- Spot heights show the height at a specific point with the height measurement written next to it
- Contour lines are isolines. They join points of equal height and are usually at 5 or 10 meter intervals (distance between the contour line)
- This means that the height of the land increases by 5 or 10 meters between the lines
- Trigonometrical station is marked by a small black triangle with a height measurement written next to it
Topography
- The contour lines can also indicate the shape and slope of the land or topography
- Contour lines close together indicate steep land
- Contour lines very far apart indicate gently sloping or flat land dependent on the distance apart
- V-shaped valleys have a v-shaped set of contours
- A hill is shown by a set of circular contour lines
Contour lines
Cross-sections
- A cross-section is a slice through the landscape
- They are represented on a map by a line which is often labelled A at one end and B at the other
- They use the contour lines to determine the height of the land
Cross-section on a map
- A piece of paper is then laid along the line and points A and B are marked on
- The contour lines are then marked on each time they cross the paper
Marking on the contour lines
- These figures can then be used to create the cross-section
Exam Tip
In the exam you may be asked to finish a cross-section or interpret a cross-section. When interpreting cross-sections you should include;
- The highest and lowest points
- Comparison of slopes
- Anamolies
Key
- Maps can be used to identify a range of landscape features
- These may be physical and human features
- Each map has a key to show what the symbols mean
Example of a Map Key