Distance and maps

Question 1

What is the scale?

Answer 1

The ratio of the distance on the map to the real distance

Question 2

How is the scale shown on a map?

Answer 2

Using a scale line

Question 3

What does as the crow flies mean?

Answer 3

This is the direct and shortest distance measure with a ruler

Question 4

What is a 4 figure grid reference?

Answer 4

A four figure grid reference is 4 digits and shows you where to go quickly.

Question 5

What is a 6 figure grid reference?

Answer 5

A 6 figure grid reference is 6 digits and shows you where to go

Question 6

How can height on a map be described?

Answer 6

Land can be hilly or flat, have a gentle or steep slopes.The word RELIEF describes the shape of the land. Height of the land is usually measured from sea level in metres and can be shown in three ways.

Question 7

What is spot height?

Answer 7

Spot height gives the exact of a point on a map they are shown by a black dot and each one has a number next to it in metres.

Question 8

What is layer colouring?

Answer 8

This can also be called layer shading. Areas of different heights are shown by bands of different colours. Most contours have their height marked on them. Closer together the contour lines are the steeper the slope is.

Question 9

Naismith’s rule

Answer 9

When you’re travelling across steep landscapes (where contour lines are very close together) it will add time onto your journey.

Naismith said that you should allow an extra minute of walking time for every 10 metres of height that you climb.

Contour lines are usually drawn at 10 metre intervals on a 1:50 000 scale map and at 5 metre intervals on a 1:25 000 scale map.