Map skills Cambridge IGCSE Geography revision
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In plain words
A map is a picture of the ground with a code. Crack the code, and you can say exactly where something is, how far away, in which direction, and whether the walk there is uphill.
7 things to know
- Grid references: read along the bottom first, then up the side. A four-figure reference names a grid square by the lines at its bottom left corner. A six-figure reference adds tenths, to locate a point inside the square.
- Scale: on a 1 : 50 000 map, 2 cm stands for 1 km. On a 1 : 25 000 map, 4 cm stands for 1 km. Measure with a ruler or the edge of a sheet of paper, then use the scale line.
- Direction is given by the 16 points of the compass. A bearing is an angle measured clockwise from north, written as three figures, such as 090° for east.
- Contour lines join places of the same height. Close together they show a steep slope, far apart a gentle one. A spot height gives the exact height of a point.
- A cross-section shows the shape of the land along a line, drawn from the contours.
- A choropleth map uses shading: the darker the shade, the higher the value. An isoline map joins places of equal value with lines.
- A flow line map uses arrows whose width shows the amount moving. A desire line map uses straight lines to show where people come from. A distribution map uses dots or symbols to show where things are.
Worked example
On a 1 : 50 000 map, two villages are 7 cm apart. A river on the map crosses contour lines that are very close together. Find the real distance, and describe the land near the river.
- On this scale 2 cm stands for 1 km, so 7 cm stands for 3.5 km.
- Contours close together show a steep slope.
- The river flows down steeply sloping land, probably in a narrow valley.
Tips and tricks
- "Along the corridor, then up the stairs": the first half of a grid reference comes from the numbers along the bottom.
- Give distances with units, and state directions as "from A to B". The direction from B to A is the opposite.
It lands in your notebook with its questions as flashcards.
Map skills: 6 questions and answers
These are the quiz’s questions. Do the quiz first, then come back here for the ones that got you.
In a grid reference, which numbers are read first?
Eastings before northings.
On a 1 : 50 000 map, what does 2 cm represent?
1 cm represents 50 000 cm, which is 0.5 km.
What do contour lines very close together show?
The height changes a lot over a short distance.
What is the bearing of due east?
Bearings are measured clockwise from north.
Which map uses shading to show values for areas?
Darker usually means a higher value.
What does the width of the arrow on a flow line map show?
Thicker arrows mean a larger flow.
Quiz
6 questions
Tap an answer and you’ll see straight away whether it’s right, and why.
Worksheet
3 questions, 6 marks. Write your answers on paper, then check them.
Map skills
Cambridge IGCSE Geography 0460 · 6 marks · papermunch.org
Name ______________________________ Date ______________
On a 1 : 25 000 map, a path measures 10 cm. Calculate its real length.[2]
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2.5 km. On this scale 4 cm represents 1 km.
Describe what contour lines that are far apart show, and what contour lines that are close together show.[2]
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Far apart: the slope is gentle. Close together: the slope is steep.
Describe what a choropleth map shows and how.[2]
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It shows how a value, such as population density, varies between areas. Each area is shaded, with darker shading for higher values.
Answers: Map skills
- 1. 2.5 km. On this scale 4 cm represents 1 km.
- 2. Far apart: the slope is gentle. Close together: the slope is steep.
- 3. It shows how a value, such as population density, varies between areas. Each area is shaded, with darker shading for higher values.