Page 117 - SST Class 06

Maps :

Our Guides 18

q Importance of maps q Types of maps
q Components of map q Sketch
q Plan

Introduction Man has tried to make a map since earliest times.
The earliest map is believed to have been made in
Though a globe gives a good, visual indication of
the Earth’s surface, the shape of the continents and 2300 BC. The credit for map-making a science
goes to Ptolemy , an Egyptian. He was the first to
their relative positions and gives a true
make a map on scientific basis and he drew a
representation; whatever position it is viewed from, North-line to depict directions for the first time.
but it has certain limitations. It depicts the Earth as
a whole and when we want to study a part of the
Info Bits
Earth in greater detail, it becomes impossible to Info Bits
make such a huge globe which can show all
necessary details. Also, it is not possible to put a q The art of map-making is called cartography.
globe on a book, besides being inconvenient to q A book of maps is called an atlas.
carry.
TYPES OF MAPS
IMPORTANCE OF MAPS A map can be made to highlight all or some
topics. Different types of maps can be made
A map has several advantages over a globe. It can keeping in view the features that are needed to be
be used to study a smaller part of the Earth, like a shown. Broadly, there are three types of maps :
continent, country, state, city or village, or even a
neighbourhood or house. It can be folded or Physical Maps
printed on a book. A physical map shows the natural features of the

Of course, a map too has certain limitations. The Earth, such as oceans, mountains, rivers, plateaus,
Earth is spherical while a map is flat, so some plains etc. It is also called a relief map .
details have to be compromised. Still, a map is a Political Maps
far better option than a globe.
A political map shows the boundaries of
countries, states, cities, towns etc. It can include
some more information, like capitals, rivers,
railway lines, roads etc.
Thematic Maps
Sometimes we need to study a particular feature of
a part of the Earth, such as population density,
rainfall, forests, industries, mines, wildlife,
railways, roads etc. A thematic map deals with
Ptolemy Ptolemy’s map one or more of such themes.
Maps : Our Guides
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