Maps (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Geography)
Revision Note
Written by: Bridgette Barrett
Reviewed by: Jenna Quinn
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.
In image above, the 4-figure grid reference would be 17, 51
To give the 6-figure grid reference, you need to imagine that the grid square is divided into 100 smaller squares
Worked Example
Figure 1.1 shows some of the features around the main settlement at Misterblanco in the north-east of the map extract
What is the six-figure grid reference of the junction at point G in Fig 1.1?
[1 mark]
Answer
994 879
Examiner Tips and Tricks
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 exams will be scaled at either:
1:25,000 (1 cm = 250 m in real life)
1:50,000 (1 cm = 500 m in real life)
Distance measurement methods:
For straight or nearly straight distances:
Use a ruler
Use the edge of a straight piece of paper
Using map scale:
Mark distances on a piece of paper using the scale at the map's bottom
Lay the marked paper from first to second point to calculate distance
Measuring curved route distances:
Divide the route into segments
Rotate and mark the paper in stages to calculate the full distance
Measuring road route on map:
Divide the route into straight sections using crosses
Use the paper to measure from A to the first cross
Rotate the paper, pivoting at the cross to mark the second cross
Bearings
Directions on a map should always be given using compass points
There are 16 compass points
A grid bearing is measured from the grid north at 0°, east at 90°, south at 180°, and west at 270°
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 (trig) 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-metre intervals (distance between the contour line) this means that the height of the land increases by 5 or 10 metres between the lines
A trigonometrical (trig) 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
Worked Example
Study the map extract and Fig 1 for Stoumont, Belgium. The scale is 1:50000
Fig 1
Using the map extract, identify the following features shown in Fig. 1
The height above sea level of the contour at C
.................... metres
[1 mark]
Answer
250 metres
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
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
These figures can then be used to create the cross-section
Examiner Tips and Tricks
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
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