What else do maps tell us?

Maps tell us where places are located - but they also contain lots more information.

What other information does the map provide us with about Sixpenny Handley?

Map symbols

Map symbols are used to help us to interpret the information on the map.

They provide information on

•Transport routes

•Landuse

•Buildings and features

•Tourist information

•Heights

Direction

Direction can be given on a map using points of a compass. There are 4 main points: north, south, east and west. You can also give directions half-way between two points

An easy way to remember the order the points come in is:

Never Ever Support Wolves

Distance

Maps also allow us to work out the distances between places.

One way to measure distance is using grid squares. The distance horizontally and vertically between the grid squares is 1km. The distance diagonally across the grid square is 1.5km. Knowing this allows us to give an approximate distance between places.

A second way, is to measure the distance as the crow flies – the straight line distance between two points and then convert this using the scale on the map.

Sometimes though we may wish to measure the distance along a road or a river. These features do not follow a straight line and therefore are more difficult to measure.

Using a piece of string you can follow the course of the road or river and measure the distance between 2 points.

Then put the string on the scale to work out the distance.

Relief

Maps have to try and show where places are, but these places could be on the top of a hill or at the bottom of a valley.

How do maps show the shape of the land?

Maps are flat pieces of paper, but the world is not flat.

Contour lines are used to joins places of equal heights above sea level.

The contour numbering reads uphill – so the highest number is the top of the hill and the lowest number is the bottom of the hill.

The closer the contour lines are together, the steeper the slope.